When Christian Young made his return to the Arizona Wildcats in the winter, it wasn’t just to a new coaching staff. It was also to a new position.
The junior, who opted out of the last handful of games last season due to a nagging ankle injury, is in line to serve as the “Viper” in defensive coordinator Don Brown’s defensive scheme. It’s a hybrid between the safety role Young has played for much of his UA career and linebacker, and it’s arguably the most important position in Brown’s pressure-filled attack.
“He’s a guy who’s got to do all three phases,” linebackers coach Keith Dudzinski said Saturday of the Viper spot.