Former Arizona Wildcats safety Scottie Young Jr. announced on Twitter and Instagram Saturday morning that he is transferring to West Virginia.
Young, who entered the NCAA transfer portal last month, reunites with Jahmile Addae. Addae played under former Arizona head Rich Rodriguez at West Virginia and served as the UA's defensive backs coach from 2016-17. Young played his freshman season at Arizona under Addae before Rodriguez and his staff were fired in January 2018.
In three seasons at Arizona, Young recorded 157 tackles, 12 pass breakups and five interceptions in 29 starts — 32 games overall. Young told The Athletic last month he had "gotten stagnant" in Tucson and wanted to take his career "to another level."
"I kind of just thought maybe a change of scenery, a change of school would help me with that. The next step in my career is taking my game to a higher level — playing at a higher level," Young told The Athletic in April.
Young also said about his time at UA, "I felt like at times I just wasn’t myself. At times I just wasn’t always letting loose and I’m not sure what it was. It could’ve been something with me, I don’t know."
"But I just felt like that and I’ve never felt like that before at any point in my career. Not when I was a kid, not in high school, not in my first few years at Arizona."
Young started in Arizona's secondary as a freshman in 2017, but was arrested that September and charged with misdemeanor assault in connection with a domestic-violence incident. The charge was dismissed by Pima County prosecutors after Young finished a diversion program.
The San Diego native finished the 2017 season with 53 tackles and one interception. New UA coach Kevin Sumlin suspended Young from team activities during the offseason; Young missed Arizona's 2018 season opener against BYU.
In 2019, Young finished with a career-high 66 tackles, but struggled in coverage throughout the season and the Wildcats finished last in the Pac-12 in total defense and 11th in passing defense. Arizona's entire staff was either fired or left.
Young is one of four UA safeties to transfer this offseason, joining Xavier Bell, Chacho Ulloa and Troy Young (no relation). The Wildcats only have four scholarship safeties — reshirt senior Jarrius Wallace, junior Christian Young (no relation), sophomore Jaxen Turner and redshirt junior Rhedi Short — returning in 2020. The Wildcats added one safety in their 2020 recruiting class, Majon Wright, who is the younger brother of ex-NFL safety Major Wright.
Arizona could likely cross-train a cornerback to add depth or move graduate transfer Brenden Schooler, who played safety and wide receiver for the Oregon Ducks.
Photos: Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Updated
A Hemi 1968 Dart, left, just noses out an all-wheel drive Mazda pickup in the championship of an eight car flight, one of the morning's races at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. With COVID19 restrictions keepig the full-scale track shut down, the Dragway is staging races using hundreds of Hot Wheels cars to fill the gaps.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Updated
Track manger, Matt DeYoung, left, reruns the video as the voice of the NHRA Alan Reinhart adds commentary on a photo finish during racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Updated
A '55 Chevy gasser leaves the track almost form the start, during a heat at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Updated
Track manager Matt DeYoung, left, gets video of the line-up of cars while voice of the NHRA Alan Reinhart provides color, before the start of racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Updated
Fred Bilbrey launches a pair of cars using the jury-rigged starter to get an even jump out of the blocks during racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Updated
A cell phone and a C-clamp provide the finish line camera for the neck-and-neck races at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Updated
The rescue vehicles come out after a Butterfinger Chevelle eats it right out of the gate during racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Updated
Matt DeYoung gets cell phone video of the competitors lined up for the day's racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Updated
Alan Reinhart uses the window light to read the info stamped onto one of the Hot Wheels cars being readied for a race at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Updated
Matt DeYoung sprinkles absorbent on the track after an "accident" left oil on the track following a crash at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Updated
A few of the hundreds of cars on hand and available for racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Hot Wheels races at Tucson Dragway
Updated
Track manger Matt DeYoung gets footage of a champion in front of the mock-up of the real Tucson Dragway's stands during racing at the Scaled Down Tucson Dragway, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
