Coatesville Alumnus Avery Young Signs with San Francisco 49’ers

If former Coatesville High School football standout Avery Young could share one message with current high school students, it would be this: A positive attitude and a winning mindset can carry you anywhere you’d like to go.

Young, who graduated from Coatesville in 2018 and from Rutgers University in 2022, was just signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers.

His career as a star defensive back at Rutgers was exemplary, but he is most remembered by his coaches and teachers in Coatesville for not just his sports prowess, but his approach to his life and work.

“Avery was probably the highest character player we have had in my time at Coatesville,” said High School Football Coach Matt Ortega. “He was always prepared and was a great example for everyone that hard work and preparation truly do amount to success. He was just an excellent player and person.”

“There was never a question in my mind that this is where I wanted to be, and that I could get to this point,” said Young. “You can never doubt that you can succeed.”

Young’s brother, Jordan, plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his father played for the Indianapolis Colts in the 1980’s. His younger brother, Aaron, also played for Rutgers and just graduated. His family still lives in Coatesville and Young says he still loves coming home to see friends and family. Young attended Rainbow Elementary School, South Brandywine Middle School, and Coatesville Area High School.

“So many teachers and coaches impacted me, and I would like to thank every one of them for helping to push me forward,” said Young. He graduated from Rutgers with a major in communications and a minor in Africana Studies.

At Coatesville, Young, 23, played in two PIAA District 1 championships. He was a five-year starter at Rutgers, totaling 290 total tackles.

“As long as I can remember, I loved playing football – even when I was in first grade and it was just flag football,” he said. “It was always pure fun for me.”

When Young isn’t putting in gym time (two to three hours a day in the off-season), he likes to spend time with his family and friends, watch Anime, and listen to music – including hip hop, gospel, and R&B. He also enjoys spending time in his home town, which he calls a tightly knit community that freely dishes out “tough love.” He says it’s part of what has helped to build his character.

“We’re from a small town and many of us face adversity here,” he said. “I want to be a testimony that you can persevere, despite that.  ‘VilleMentality’ is a mantra that allows you to understand the disadvantages you face and are powerless to change. The beauty can be found by taking these same flaws and letting them fuel your fire to succeed in whatever avenue you’re passionate about.”