Former Coatesville star Avery Young headed to San Francisco 49ers

Go west, young man  — that is where former Coatesville High School and Rutgers University star defensive back Avery Young is headed as a undrafted free agent.

Young was signed by the San Francisco 49ers following the 2023 NFL Draft after a stellar career at Rutgers University, where he totaled 80 tackles as a fifth year senior in the 2022 season.

Young was named Honorable Mention All Big 10 for the 2022 season and was a Hula Bowl participant.

Young was an integral part of two PIAA District 1 championship teams while at Coatesville and he follows his father, Anthony, and his brother Jordan into the NFL.

Anthony played for the Indianapolis Colts in the 1980’s after starring at Temple University and Jordan is a current member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Avery’s father Anthony,  said, “He was a little disappointed he was not selected earlier. I told him about the business of the NFL and he will use this as fuel. I was in a similar situation when I joined the league.”

Coatesville head coach Matt Ortega talked about what Avery brought to his Red Raiders on and off the field.

“Avery was probably the highest character player we have had in my time at Coatesville,” Ortega  said. “He just prepared so well and was a student of the game. His football IQ was so high and that was a big reason he played early in his career at Rutgers as a freshman.

“He just was a great example and such a hard worker in the classroom, the weight room and in practice and all that preparation carried over to field. Avery is just a great player and a great person.”

During Young’s time with the Red Raiders, one of Coatesville’s rivals was Downingtown East, and Cougar head coach Mike Matta had high praise for the former Coatesville star.

“Avery was a tremendous competitor,” Matta said. “He was very quick to the football and he was an explosive hitter. He changed the complexion of the game in all three facets of the game — defense, offense and the kicking game.”

Young was a five year starter at Rutgers and he totaled 290 total tackles in his career as a Scarlet Knight and will be going a 49ers team that advanced to the NFC Championship game, which lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.