Dareke Young Bio
Dareke Young is an American professional football wide receiver and kickoff returner for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 4, 1999, in Raleigh, North Carolina, he played college football at Lenoir–Rhyne University before being selected by the Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 224 pounds, Young has carved out a role for himself primarily on special teams while steadily contributing to Seattle’s offensive strategies. His journey from a North Carolina high school standout to a professional roster spot reflects perseverance and steady development.
Early Life and Background
Dareke Young was born on June 4, 1999, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He grew up in the Raleigh area and attended Middle Creek High School in nearby Apex, North Carolina, from 2014 to 2017. During his high school career, he recorded 29 receptions for 502 yards and 5 touchdowns while helping his team to a strong overall record. He also earned Academic All-Conference honors, balancing athletic achievement with classroom performance.
Coming out of high school, Young was not widely recruited by major college football programs. He chose to continue his football career at Lenoir–Rhyne University, a smaller program that offered him the opportunity to develop his skills and gain meaningful playing time. This path allowed him to refine his abilities as both a wide receiver and a return specialist while preparing for a potential professional opportunity.
Path to American Football
At Lenoir–Rhyne, Young played college football for the Bears, where he developed into a reliable target and a capable special teams contributor. The smaller stage gave him the chance to play multiple roles within an offense and special teams unit, building the versatility that would later attract professional scouts. His production and athletic profile eventually positioned him as a late-round NFL prospect.
Following his college career, Young declared for the 2022 NFL draft. The Seattle Seahawks selected him in the seventh round with the 233rd overall pick. While he was not a headline name on draft night, his combination of size, speed, and special teams potential made him an intriguing developmental prospect for Seattle’s roster.
Dareke Young Career
Early Career (2022)
Young entered the NFL as a member of the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, joining the team as a seventh-round selection. As a rookie, he appeared in 13 games primarily on special teams, working to earn the trust of the coaching staff through his work on coverage and return units. On offense, he recorded two catches for 24 yards during his first professional season.
Although his offensive statistics were modest, Young’s reliability on special teams helped him secure a role on the active roster throughout his rookie year. He used the 2022 season as a learning period, adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
NFL Breakthrough with Seattle (2022–Present)
Young’s first extended action in the NFL came during the 2022 season, when he played in 13 games and contributed primarily on special teams while logging limited offensive snaps. His two receptions for 24 yards showed glimpses of his receiving ability, even though his primary value came on special teams units.
The 2023 season began with a setback for Young. On September 4, 2023, he was placed on injured reserve, forcing him to miss the early portion of the year. He was activated on November 11 and returned to action, appearing in six games that season while continuing to serve mainly in a special teams role. His perseverance through injury demonstrated his commitment to remaining part of Seattle’s plans.
In the 2024 season, Young continued to contribute mainly on special teams, maintaining his role as a reliable presence on coverage and return units. He provided depth at the wide receiver position while continuing to build his understanding of the professional game.
Heading into 2025, Young began the season as one of Seattle’s auxiliary wide receivers, providing depth and special teams value. On November 8, 2025, he was placed on injured reserve due to a quad injury. He was later activated on December 18, returning to the active roster late in the year.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of Young’s career was his selection by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft, validating his path from a smaller college program to the professional ranks. Earning playing time in 13 games as a rookie also marked a significant milestone, showing that he could compete at the NFL level despite his late-round status.
Dareke Young Career Wins
Dareke Young’s professional résumé is still in its early stages, and his contributions have largely come through special teams play rather than headline statistics. As a seventh-round pick in 2022, his role with the Seattle Seahawks has centered on providing depth at wide receiver and contributing on coverage and return units. His continued presence on Seattle’s active roster across multiple seasons reflects the organization’s confidence in his work ethic and versatility.
NFL Highlights
Young has appeared in regular-season games for the Seattle Seahawks across the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons. His most notable statistical contribution came during his rookie year in 2022, when he recorded two catches for 24 yards while playing in 13 games. Beyond receiving statistics, his value has been measured by his reliability on special teams and his ability to step into roles when called upon.
Other Performances
Before entering the NFL, Young recorded 29 receptions for 502 yards and 5 touchdowns during his high school career at Middle Creek. At Lenoir–Rhyne, he developed into a versatile contributor who could line up at wide receiver and contribute on special teams, skills that ultimately translated to the professional level.
Dareke Young Family
Personal Life
Dareke Young was raised in the Raleigh, North Carolina area and attended Middle Creek High School in nearby Apex. He has kept his personal and family life largely out of the public eye, focusing public attention on his professional football career. Details about his parents, spouse, or children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another year of growth and resilience for Dareke Young with the Seattle Seahawks. He began the year as one of Seattle’s auxiliary wide receivers, providing depth at the position while continuing his core responsibilities on special teams. His role allowed the Seahawks to use him in a variety of situations, balancing offensive depth with special teams reliability.
Young’s season was interrupted on November 8, 2025, when he was placed on injured reserve due to a quad injury. The placement forced him to miss a stretch of games, but he worked through rehabilitation and was activated on December 18, returning to the active roster late in the year. His ability to come back from injury and rejoin the team reflected his commitment and the organization’s continued faith in his abilities.
As the 2025 season progressed, Young remained a depth option at wide receiver and a contributor on special teams for Seattle. While his offensive statistics remained limited, his presence on coverage and return units continued to provide value. Looking ahead, his experience and versatility position him as a candidate to remain in a similar role with the Seahawks in future seasons.