Young one of 18 players in NM State football program history to earn All-American honors.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Michael Navarrette
Photos: Courtesy
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State Hall of Famer and Football Ring of Honor inductee Fredd Young has passed away at the age of 64. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Aggies to ever wear the Crimson and White, Young remained a cherished member of the Las Cruces community throughout his life.
Young played football for the Aggies from 1980-83 and was later inducted into the US Bank/NM State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991. The defensive end from Dallas was a four-year starter who earned First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 1982. His dominance the following year earned him AP All-American Honorable Mention and The Sporting News All-American Honorable Mention honors in 1983.
During his collegiate and professional career, he excelled both as a linebacker and a return specialist. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 220 pounds, Young made his mark at NM State in the early 1980s. A defensive powerhouse, he led the Aggies in tackles in both 1982 (134) and 1983 (140), totaling 393 career tackles, which still ranks fourth all-time in program history.
Additionally, his 12 sacks in 1983 place him fourth all-time in the program’s single-season records, and his six-sack performance against LA Tech that year remains the most ever recorded in a single game by any Aggie.
Young was equally impressive on special teams. He returned 28 punts in his career, ranking 10th in program history in total yardage, and his 10.1-yard career punt return average is fourth-best in school history. In 1983, he recorded two kickoff return touchdowns, one for 92 yards and another for 90 yards.
Following his career with the Aggies, Young transitioned to the NFL when the Seattle Seahawks selected him in the third round (76th overall) of the 1984 NFL Draft. He made an impact at the next level, earning Pro Bowl selections in each of his first four seasons—initially as a special teams player before transitioning into a key role on the Seahawk defense. Young was also twice named a first-team All-Pro, garnering honors in both 1984 and 1987. In 2025, the Seattle Seahawks recognized Young as one of the top 50 players in franchise history as the organization celebrated its 50th season.
Over seven seasons in the NFL, Young played in 101 games, starting 79 of them. He recorded 21 sacks, intercepted three passes, and returned one interception 50 yards for a touchdown.
Young is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. His impact on Aggie Athletics, the game of football and the Las Cruces community will long be remembered.
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