SANTA CLARA — When defensive finish Chase Younger awoke three weeks in the past on the East Coast, he knew there was an opportunity he would quickly be on the transfer.
Nonetheless, the notification he was heading throughout the nation to play for the 49ers was the information he was not precisely anticipating.
“I obtained the decision and left the subsequent morning,” Younger mentioned on the newest “49ers Speak” of his expertise on the NFL commerce deadline.
“The household came visiting earlier than I left and helped me pack. It’s the enterprise. I simply needed to do what I needed to do. It wasn’t too unhealthy, although.”
Younger, 24, attended highschool in Maryland, simply quarter-hour from the place he performed his NFL residence video games with the Washington Commanders.
When he departed for the West Coast on an early morning flight, he left behind his six canines and relations who had been capable of take the brief drive to observe his each residence sport.
What he discovered upon stepping contained in the 49ers’ locker room at Levi’s Stadium was a brand new household.
When it was identified that Younger already appeared snug in his new environment, he agreed, saying, “I undoubtedly am.”
He defined why he was in a position to slot in so rapidly together with his new workforce.
“My teammates undoubtedly helped with that,” he mentioned. “After I stepped within the locker room, it was all love. Everyone embraced me. Everyone was excited that I’m right here. I’m very lucky to be round a superb group of fellows who let me be myself.”
Younger is a soft-spoken, mellow particular person who’s now surrounded with many different comparable personalities on the defensive position, similar to Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave.
“You can say I save my power for each Sunday,” Younger mentioned of his laid-back demeanor.
“Recreation day, I flip it up, for positive,” he mentioned. “When it’s not sport day, I’m massive into resting, simply chilling.”
It might need been stunning that earlier than Younger’s first sport with the 49ers in Jacksonville, he was close to the entrance of the road, dancing, when the music was blaring because the workforce moved towards the sector.
Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel lead the workforce out of the locker room, and Younger mentioned he knew each of them earlier than coming to the 49ers.
“Even after I got here out with the increase field, that simply exhibits that I’m having enjoyable,” Younger mentioned. “I really feel like I’m an emotional participant, and I really feel like at any time when I play with my feelings, that’s after I’m at my finest.”
Younger mentioned he views the commerce to the 49ers as a “contemporary begin.” He sustained a critical knee damage with the Commanders in his second season after being the No. 2 general choose within the 2020 NFL Draft. The Commanders declined to select up his fifth-year possibility for subsequent season, opening the door for him to be an unrestricted free agent within the spring.
Younger mentioned he’s not wanting too far forward. His damage taught him to remain within the second and cherish his present scenario. The 49ers are 7-3 coming into their Thursday night time sport in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks, who’re 6-4 and in second place within the NFC West.
“This can be a workforce, a company, that wins yearly,” Younger mentioned. “I’m blessed and fortunate to be part of this. I’m doing my finest to place my finest foot ahead.”
In two video games with the 49ers, Younger has 1.5 sacks. With 6.5 sacks whole this season, he is only one behind his career-high of 2020, when he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the 12 months.
He’s becoming in on and off the sector. Younger recognized workforce unity as what he believes makes the 49ers particular.
“The love for one another, your teammates,” he mentioned. “That’s the place it begins. In case you love the boys subsequent to you, you then’re going to play laborious for the fellows subsequent to you.
“That’s undoubtedly one of many greatest issues I see on the sector. Guys are doing their finest to open up a gap for you. That’s an actual good feeling.”
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