Roy’s Robert Young named Deseret News 2024 Mr. Football – Deseret News

It was a special year for the Roy Royals.

Roy High finished the season with 12 wins while reaching the state championship game for only the fourth time in its 59-year history. It was a season that meant a lot to the community, and Swiss army knife Robert Young was excited to be one of the faces of this year’s Royals team. During his 12-2 season, Young was a tool that Roy head coach Chris Solomona knew he always had at his disposal. Whether it was offense, defense, or special teams, Young was ready to make an impact.

“Rob brings so much to a football program,” Solomona said. “We have been fortunate and fortunate to have Rob for the last three years and we have always known his potential. Every year since his sophomore year he has been our team’s MVP and a lot of that is due to what he is able to bring to the table in all three phases of the game.”

Young was always a threat for the Royals, throwing for 11 touchdowns in his second year and eight in his first year; However, Roy’s offensive coordinator Connor McGuire knew what he had in Young and largely built the offense around that this season.

McGuire said Young’s football IQ and uncanny ability to memorize plays made him a huge asset.

“He just has a photographic memory for football,” McGuire said. “If he hears the concept and the idea once, he will come out and know exactly what it is. It’s really cool to see because it’s quite rare. There are a lot of kids who struggle to learn the playbook and it takes two to three years to learn it completely and that, for him, is the day we review it. It’s pretty special.

During this season, Young totaled 35 touchdowns with 2,340 all-purpose yards, while making 54 tackles and one interception on defense. Young also returned three kickoffs for touchdowns on just six total returns. Young led a strong Roy offense averaging 39 points per game.

Young’s production and versatility ultimately gave him the edge in an incredibly close race to earn the honor of being the Deseret News’ 2024 Mr. Football winner. Young is the 28th recipient of this award.

“I was actually in Oregon, out of town, when I got the news,” Young said. “(Solomona) called me and said, ‘You won Mr. Football, they just texted me.’ I just kept quiet, because I didn’t know what to say. At the beginning of this year, I knew it was possible (to win Mr. Football). I told myself I was definitely going to win, because I have to be the best player in Utah.

Punching a ticket to the state championship and winning Mr. Football were difficult goals to achieve, but at 5-foot-8, Young was eager to prove to everyone that he is as deadly as anyone. Young proved his worth in Roy’s offense, with 1,088 rushing yards for 18 rushing touchdowns, 54 receptions for 882 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns, and two passing touchdowns.

“I wanted to continue to prove to everyone that your size doesn’t really matter on the field,” Young said. “As long as you know how to play, you’ll probably be one of the best players on the field. I just want to play football the best way possible, so it doesn’t matter what size I am. I will always do my best every time.

Solomona immediately understood what Young’s award means to the community and noted that it was the first time a player north of Salt Lake County received the award since 2010, which went to Mountain’s Alex Kuresa Crest.

While former Roy quarterback Jaxson Dart was named Mr. Football in 2020, he received it for his senior year at Corner Canyon. Young is now the first player to receive Mr. Football for Roy.

“I was extremely proud as soon as I received that text message from (prep editor) James Edward,” Solomona said. “Mr. Football is the Heisman of Utah high school football and being able to coach and be around Rob is incredible. This award means a lot to him, to us, to the school and the community. We are honored that Rob will receive this award, because it means a lot to all of us in the North.

Taking on the program and representing the community was a task Young was always up for, and even though the ultimate goal of championship wasn’t achieved, it will be a season Roy will remember for a long time.

“This year…it was awesome,” Young said. “I just feel like this community has helped me a lot because I get a lot of love and support from the community and all the parents and friends.”

Young has not yet committed to a school, but he did receive a D1 offer from Idaho State.