Last Updated on November 2, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Zion Young is an American professional football player who plays as an outside linebacker and defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens in the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 18, 2004, in Atlanta, Georgia, Young played college football at Michigan State University and the University of Missouri before being selected in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Beyond his football career, Zion Young comes from a large family that has strongly influenced his personality, competitive mentality, and athletic development. His parents, Frank Young and Shirley Reese, helped introduce him to football and encouraged him throughout his childhood. He is also the youngest of 11 children, meaning he has ten older siblings, including his sister Diamond Reese, a former collegiate track and field athlete.
Although Young has openly discussed his parents and siblings, he maintains considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships and possible children. Here is what is publicly known about Zion Young’s girlfriend, children, parents, siblings, and family background.
Zion Young’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, Zion Young has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend or romantic partner.
The Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker has attracted considerable attention because of his performances at Missouri, his selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, and his energetic personality.
During interviews with the Ravens and college football reporters, Young has frequently discussed his parents, siblings, childhood experiences, and ambitions as a professional athlete.
However, these interviews have not established the identity of a current girlfriend.
There are also no sufficiently reliable public reports confirming that he is married or engaged.
While Young maintains an active public presence, much of the available information about his personal life concerns his family and football career rather than romantic relationships.
Consequently, his current relationship status remains undisclosed. The absence of publicly available information should not be interpreted as confirmation that he is single.
Zion Young’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
As of now, Zion Young has no publicly confirmed children.
Neither his official Baltimore Ravens player biography nor his University of Missouri football profile identifies him as the father of a son or daughter.
Young has spoken extensively about his upbringing in a large family, particularly the influence of his parents and older siblings.
However, he has not publicly announced becoming a father in the reliable interviews and reports reviewed.
There are also no verified public details about the names, ages, or birth dates of any children belonging to the NFL player.
Therefore, his parental status remains unconfirmed rather than definitively established.
Zion Young’s Parents
Zion Young was born to Frank Young and Shirley Reese in Atlanta, Georgia.
Both parents have been publicly identified in reporting about his football career, including an October 2026 family feature published by The Baltimore Banner.
His father, a military veteran, introduced him to football and weight training, while his mother provided emotional support and encouraged him to remain disciplined.
Growing up in a household with ten older siblings helped Young develop the competitive personality that later became one of his distinguishing characteristics on the football field.
Frank Young – Zion Young’s Father
Frank Young is Zion Young’s father and one of the most important influences in his athletic development.
According to the Baltimore Ravens and Sports Illustrated, Frank previously served in the military and brought a structured approach to family life.
His military background influenced the discipline and expectations within the Young household.
From an early age, Frank encouraged Zion to participate in football and introduced him to weightlifting.
The combination of physical training and family competition helped Zion develop the strength, toughness, and determination required to succeed as a defensive player.
In July 2025, during SEC Media Days, Zion explained that his father’s military background was one of the reasons he grew up in a disciplined environment.
He also acknowledged that his father and oldest brother frequently served as leaders within the family.
Those experiences later helped him understand responsibility and leadership in organized football.
Frank also participated in his son’s youth football development, attending games and supporting his progression through different levels of competition.
In an October 4, 2026, article published by The Baltimore Banner, Frank recalled Zion’s energetic personality during childhood.
He described an occasion when the family visited a Chick-fil-A restaurant and young Zion loudly began saying grace before a meal.
His enthusiastic voice attracted attention throughout the restaurant, illustrating the outspoken personality that would later become familiar to his teammates and coaches.
Frank was also photographed with his son during youth football activities and attended his first preseason appearance for the Baltimore Ravens.
His continued involvement demonstrates the important role he has played throughout Zion’s athletic journey.
Shirley Reese – Zion Young’s Mother
Shirley Reese is Zion Young’s mother and another major influence in his personal life.
Her identity is confirmed in Young’s official University of Missouri football biography and reporting published by The Baltimore Banner.
Unlike his outspoken father, Shirley has been described by Zion as having a more relaxed personality.
During SEC Media Days in July 2025, Young explained that he considers himself particularly close to his mother.
Although he grew up in a loud and competitive household, Shirley provided a calmer influence while remaining involved in her children’s development.
She also took an active interest in Zion’s education and football career.
According to The Baltimore Banner, Shirley regularly contacted his school when academic difficulties affected his eligibility to play football.
Her involvement helped ensure that her youngest son remained focused on his educational responsibilities.
Shirley also supported Zion’s friendships and connections within youth football.
One particularly important relationship was his friendship with Nate Wiggins, who would eventually become his teammate with the Baltimore Ravens.
The two players grew up together in Atlanta and played youth football before being reunited at Westlake High School.
When Shirley learned that the friends would be teammates again in high school, she was delighted by the coincidence.
Years later, she experienced another memorable moment when Baltimore selected Zion in the 2026 NFL Draft, reuniting him with Wiggins at the professional level.
Shirley attended her son’s first preseason game with the Ravens alongside Frank Young, celebrating another milestone in his football career.
Zion Young’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Yes. Zion Young has ten older siblings, making him the youngest of 11 children.
This information has been confirmed by Young himself during interviews and by the Baltimore Ravens in their official coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Growing up with ten older brothers and sisters played a significant role in shaping his personality.
Young has explained that being the youngest meant he frequently competed with older family members and had to work harder to make himself heard.
His family’s competitive atmosphere helped him develop confidence, physical toughness, and leadership qualities.
Although the complete identities of all ten siblings are not consistently documented in recent football reporting, several family members have been named in university athletic records.
Diamond Reese – Zion Young’s Older Sister
Diamond Reese is one of Zion Young’s older sisters and a former collegiate track and field athlete.
She attended Georgia Southern University, where she competed in throwing events, including the shot put, discus, hammer throw, and weight throw.
Before attending Georgia Southern, Diamond studied at Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School in Atlanta, Georgia.
During her high school athletic career, she became a state champion in the shot put in 2014.
She also received Coca-Cola Scholar Athlete recognition and competed in basketball.
At Georgia Southern, Diamond continued developing as a track and field athlete and earned recognition on the Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll during the 2016–17 academic year.
Her official university biography identifies Shirley Reese as her mother and lists Zion Reese among her younger siblings.
The Baltimore Ravens also identified Diamond as Zion’s sister in an April 2026 article introducing their newest draft selection.
Her achievements demonstrate that Zion is not the only member of his family with a successful athletic background.
Zion Young’s Other Older Siblings
Georgia Southern University’s published biography of Diamond Reese identifies several other members of Shirley Reese’s family.
In addition to Zion and Diamond, the university record names Tenokus Reese, Star Reese, Nadia Reese, Anunde Reese, Franklin Reese, and Terranjha Reese.
These names are documented in Diamond’s collegiate athletic biography, which describes her as one of eight children.
However, Zion has subsequently stated that he is the youngest of 11 children overall, so the earlier university record should not be interpreted as a complete account of all ten older siblings in his wider family.
The precise relationships and complete identities of the additional family members have not been independently established in recent NFL reporting.
Young has also mentioned an older brother who frequently acted as a leader within the household alongside their father.
During his introductory interview with the Baltimore Ravens in April 2026, he explained that his experience following his father and oldest brother helped prepare him for leadership responsibilities.
However, the name of that particular brother was not established in the official interview.
How Growing Up With Ten Siblings Influenced Zion Young
Growing up as the youngest of 11 children had a major influence on Zion Young’s development.
His household was characterized by strong personalities, competition, and an emphasis on discipline.
During SEC Media Days in July 2025, Young explained that he became outspoken partly because he wanted to make himself heard among his older siblings.
He described his family as vocal and competitive, with his father’s military background helping maintain structure.
Those childhood experiences contributed to his confident personality and energetic approach to football.
Young has become known for encouraging teammates, communicating loudly during games, and bringing enthusiasm to defensive practices.
His teammates at Missouri recognized those qualities when they selected him as a team captain during his final college football season.
After being drafted by Baltimore, Young explained that receiving the captaincy at Missouri was especially meaningful because it demonstrated that his teammates respected his leadership.
He connected that experience to the family environment in which he had grown up.
Is Nate Wiggins Related to Zion Young?
Zion Young and Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins are not known to be biological brothers.
However, they have maintained a close friendship since childhood and frequently describe their relationship in brotherly terms.
The two players grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where they initially played together on a youth football team.
They later became teammates at Westlake High School before pursuing college football careers at different universities.
Wiggins played college football at Clemson University, while Young initially attended Michigan State before transferring to Missouri.
In April 2026, the Baltimore Ravens selected Young with the 45th overall pick, allowing the childhood friends to become NFL teammates.
Young expressed excitement about their reunion during his introductory press conference.
Wiggins subsequently helped him adjust to professional football by providing advice about preparation, accountability, and the expectations of playing in the NFL.
Their friendship has also brought their families together, with both sets of parents supporting the players throughout their careers.
Zion Young’s Childhood and Family Background
Zion Young was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where football became an important part of his life.
His father introduced him to the sport during childhood, while his older siblings provided a competitive environment that encouraged his physical development.
Young played youth football in Atlanta before attending Westlake High School.
During his high school career, he developed into a promising defensive lineman and earned first-team All-Region recognition.
According to his official Missouri biography, he recorded 108 tackles and 7.5 sacks during his senior season.
His performances attracted interest from college football programs, eventually leading him to Michigan State University.
After playing for the Spartans during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Young transferred to the University of Missouri.
The move allowed him to compete in the Southeastern Conference and further develop his defensive abilities.
During his final college season in 2025, he recorded 42 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
His performances helped establish him as a prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.
How Zion Young’s Family Influenced His NFL Career
Zion Young’s journey to professional football was strongly influenced by the support and discipline he received at home.
His father’s military background introduced him to structured training and responsibility, while his mother emphasized education and personal development.
Competing with ten older siblings helped him develop resilience and determination.
Those qualities became important as he transitioned from high school football to college competition.
At Missouri, Young developed into a dependable defensive starter and eventually earned the respect of teammates who selected him as a captain.
After completing his college career, he participated in the 2026 Senior Bowl, where his physical performances attracted attention from NFL scouts.
The Baltimore Ravens selected him in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 45th overall pick.
He officially signed his rookie contract in May 2026 and joined Baltimore’s defensive lineup.
His selection also created a memorable family moment, particularly because it reunited him with childhood friend Nate Wiggins.
In October 2026, The Baltimore Banner documented how Frank Young and Shirley Reese continued supporting their son as he adjusted to his first professional season.
For Young, reaching the NFL represented years of personal effort supported by the encouragement of his parents and siblings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zion Young’s Family
Who is Zion Young’s girlfriend?
As of now, Zion Young has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend. His current romantic relationship status remains private.
Is Zion Young married?
There is no sufficiently reliable public confirmation that Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Zion Young is married.
Does Zion Young have children?
Zion Young has no publicly confirmed children. Reliable interviews and official football biographies do not establish his parental status.
Who is Zion Young’s father?
Zion Young’s father is Frank Young, a military veteran who introduced his son to football and weight training during childhood.
Who is Zion Young’s mother?
His mother is Shirley Reese. She supported his education and football development throughout his childhood in Atlanta, Georgia.
How many siblings does Zion Young have?
Zion Young has ten older siblings. He is the youngest of 11 children, according to his own statements and official Baltimore Ravens reporting.
Who is Zion Young’s sister?
One of his publicly identified sisters is Diamond Reese, a former Georgia Southern University track and field athlete who won a high school state championship in the shot put.
What are Zion Young’s siblings’ names?
Georgia Southern University’s biography of Diamond Reese identifies several family members, including Tenokus, Star, Nadia, Anunde, Franklin, and Terranjha Reese. However, a complete independently verified list of Zion’s ten older siblings is unavailable.
Are Zion Young and Nate Wiggins brothers?
No. Zion Young and Nate Wiggins are childhood friends and former high school teammates. They were reunited when Baltimore drafted Young in 2026.
Where is Zion Young from?
Zion Young is from Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended Westlake High School before playing college football at Michigan State and Missouri.
How old is Zion Young?
Zion Young was born on March 18, 2004, making him 22 years old as of now.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
