Last Updated on November 5, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Dareke Young is an American football wide receiver and special teams player for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 4, 1999, in Raleigh, North Carolina, Young developed into a professional football player after attending Middle Creek High School and Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Beyond his football career, Young comes from a supportive family that played an important role in his development. His parents are Larry Parker and Toinette Young, and he has frequently expressed appreciation for his mother’s encouragement throughout his athletic journey.
Although the Raiders wide receiver has spoken publicly about his parents, he has kept much of his personal life private. Information about his girlfriend, children and siblings remains limited.
Here is everything publicly known about Dareke Young’s family, including his girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Dareke Young’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Dareke Young has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend.
The Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver generally keeps his romantic relationships away from public attention. His interviews and social media appearances primarily focus on football, his professional development, academic achievements and family support.
During his college career at Lenoir-Rhyne University, Young rarely discussed his dating life in publicly available interviews.
After being selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2022 NFL Draft, he continued concentrating his public appearances on football and his transition to professional sports.
Reliable public sources have not identified a confirmed romantic partner or provided details about his relationship history.
There is also no verified public information indicating that Young is married or has a wife.
However, the absence of publicly confirmed information does not necessarily mean he is single. He may simply prefer to keep his personal relationships private.
Does Dareke Young Have Children?
Dareke Young has no publicly confirmed children.
The NFL wide receiver has not made a verified public announcement about becoming a father, and reliable biographical sources have not identified any sons or daughters.
Although Young frequently discusses the importance of family, his publicly documented comments primarily concern his mother and the relatives who supported his football career.
He has not publicly disclosed specific plans regarding marriage or fatherhood.
Dareke Young’s Parents
Dareke Young was born to Larry Parker and Toinette Young in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Both parents are identified in his official Lenoir-Rhyne University football biography.
Young grew up in southeast Raleigh, where he developed an interest in sports and participated in football, basketball and track and field.
His family encouraged him to balance athletics with education, an approach that later helped him earn a college degree while pursuing professional football.
Dareke Young’s Father: Larry Parker
Dareke Young’s father is Larry Parker, whose name appears in his official college athletics biography.
Although Larry has not received extensive media attention, published family profiles have identified him as an influence during Young’s early athletic development.
According to a February 2026 report by EssentiallySports, Larry supported his son’s participation in competitive sports and encouraged him to take training seriously.
Young participated in several athletic activities while growing up in North Carolina, eventually developing the physical abilities that helped him become a college football prospect.
His upbringing required balancing academic responsibilities with football practices, athletic competitions and other activities.
While Larry is publicly identified as his father, detailed information about his occupation, education and personal background has not been consistently documented by reliable sources.
Consequently, those aspects of his life remain private.
Dareke Young’s Mother: Toinette Young
Dareke Young’s mother is Toinette Young, who has been one of the most influential people in his personal and professional development.
She raised him in Raleigh, North Carolina, and supported his participation in sports throughout childhood.
Toinette has publicly discussed the sacrifices required to help her son pursue his ambitions, particularly during his college football career and transition to the NFL.
In August 2022, Young spoke about his mother’s importance during an interview with the Seattle Seahawks.
After learning that he had earned a place on Seattle’s initial 53-man roster, the first person he contacted was his mother.
Young explained that she regularly sent him prayers and encouragement, helping him remain grounded during the challenges of professional football.
He described her as a central source of motivation throughout his journey.
The moment was particularly meaningful because Young had entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick from a Division II college program.
His mother’s support remained important as he worked to establish himself among players from larger college football programs.
Toinette Young’s Reaction to Her Son Reaching the Super Bowl
In February 2026, Toinette Young spoke to ABC11 Raleigh-Durham about her son’s journey to Super Bowl LX with the Seattle Seahawks.
She described the experience as surreal, explaining that she sometimes struggled to believe how far he had progressed.
Toinette recalled that Dareke had not always spoken about becoming a professional football player during childhood.
According to her account, the possibility of reaching the NFL became more realistic during his junior year at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
She also discussed the challenges Dareke experienced after being drafted by Seattle in 2022.
Before entering the NFL, he had attended college approximately two and a half hours from home. Moving to Seattle meant adjusting to life on the opposite side of the country.
The transition included adapting to a higher level of competition, a new environment and the responsibilities of being a professional athlete.
Toinette emphasized that her son’s work ethic and faith helped him overcome these challenges.
She also attended Seattle’s NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams in January 2026.
During the game, Young recovered a muffed punt that helped Seattle secure its place in the Super Bowl.
Toinette celebrated the play alongside her own mother, demonstrating the family’s excitement about the achievement.
Before Super Bowl LX, she explained that relatives and community members in Raleigh were organizing celebrations to support Young and the Seahawks.
Seattle subsequently defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, giving Young his first Super Bowl championship.
Dareke Young’s Siblings
Information about Dareke Young’s brothers and sisters is limited.
His official Lenoir-Rhyne University biography identifies his parents but does not provide the names or number of his siblings.
Similarly, his NFL biographies focus on his athletic achievements rather than detailing his family structure.
Does Dareke Young Have Brothers?
There is no reliable public information confirming whether Dareke Young has brothers.
Although he has spoken about the importance of family support, he has not publicly identified a brother in the major interviews and official biographies reviewed.
It would therefore be inaccurate to assign names or claim a specific number of brothers without additional evidence.
Does Dareke Young Have Sisters?
Dareke Young has also not publicly provided verified details about having sisters.
His college and professional football biographies do not identify any sisters by name.
Consequently, the existence, names and number of his sisters remain unconfirmed through reliable public sources.
Young’s decision to keep these aspects of his family life private is separate from the public attention surrounding his football career.
Dareke Young’s Extended Family
Although information about Young’s siblings remains limited, some details about his extended family have been reported.
On April 30, 2022, Young celebrated being selected in the NFL Draft while staying at his aunt’s house in Raleigh, North Carolina.
According to a report published by The News Tribune, nine family members gathered for the occasion.
The group celebrated when Seattle selected him with the 233rd overall pick in the seventh round.
Young expressed happiness about joining the Seahawks and explained that his relatives would have supported him regardless of which team drafted him.
The event highlighted the importance of family support during one of the biggest moments of his athletic career.
His aunt’s name was not identified in the reporting, and other members of the gathering were not individually listed.
Young’s maternal grandmother has also been mentioned in coverage of his football career, particularly when she attended Seattle’s NFC Championship victory alongside Toinette Young in January 2026.
How Dareke Young’s Family Supported His Football Career
Dareke Young grew up in southeast Raleigh, North Carolina, where he developed an interest in several sports.
He participated in basketball and track and field alongside American football, helping him develop speed, strength and coordination.
Young attended Middle Creek High School in Apex, North Carolina, where he became a talented wide receiver.
According to his official NFL biography, he recorded 29 receptions for 502 yards and five touchdowns during his high school career.
He also earned Academic All-Conference recognition for his performance in the classroom.
Despite his athletic ability, Young did not receive the same level of national recruiting attention as many highly rated high school football prospects.
He eventually accepted an opportunity to continue his football career at Lenoir-Rhyne University, a Division II institution in Hickory, North Carolina.
His college decision allowed him to remain relatively close to his family while pursuing higher education.
Dareke Young’s College Career and Education
Dareke Young attended Lenoir-Rhyne University from 2017 through 2021.
During his college career, he developed into a versatile offensive player capable of contributing as a wide receiver and running back.
His combination of size, speed and physical strength made him an important part of the team’s offense.
In 2019, Young enjoyed one of his most productive college seasons, recording 25 receptions for 515 yards and eight receiving touchdowns.
He also contributed 335 rushing yards on 49 carries.
During the shortened 2020 season, Young caught 14 passes for 218 yards.
He returned in 2021 and recorded 25 receptions for 303 yards and four touchdowns despite playing only five games because of a knee injury.
Across his college career, he accumulated 1,176 receiving yards, 658 rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns.
Alongside football, Young pursued a degree in engineering physics.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Lenoir-Rhyne in 2021 and began pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree.
His academic interests included engineering and automotive design.
In an interview with the Seattle Seahawks, Young explained that he was interested in working in the automotive industry after his football career.
His commitment to education reflected the values emphasized during his upbringing.
Dareke Young’s Journey to the NFL
Despite playing college football at the Division II level, Young attracted attention from NFL scouts because of his physical abilities and versatility.
He participated in the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl, where he competed against prospects from larger college football programs.
The experience provided an opportunity to demonstrate that he could compete with players from Division I schools.
On April 30, 2022, the Seattle Seahawks selected Young with the 233rd overall pick in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
The selection made him one of the few players from Lenoir-Rhyne University to enter the NFL through the draft.
Young celebrated the achievement with relatives at his aunt’s house in Raleigh.
He subsequently joined Seattle’s training camp and earned a place on the team’s initial 53-man roster.
During his rookie season in 2022, he appeared in 13 regular-season games and recorded two receptions for 24 yards.
He also contributed on special teams, demonstrating his versatility and willingness to perform different responsibilities.
Although injuries affected parts of his subsequent seasons, Young remained with Seattle through the 2025 campaign.
During that season, he recorded two receptions for 48 yards and returned 10 kickoffs for 322 yards.
His contributions on special teams helped Seattle reach Super Bowl LX.
In March 2026, Young signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an unrestricted free agent, beginning a new chapter in his professional football career.
Dareke Young’s Family and Christian Faith
Christian faith has been an important part of Dareke Young’s personal development.
His mother, Toinette, discussed the importance of faith in their family during her February 2026 interview with ABC11 Raleigh-Durham.
She explained that religious values had been part of Young’s upbringing and helped him remain confident despite the challenges of professional football.
Young has also publicly acknowledged his mother’s habit of sending prayers and encouraging messages.
These expressions of support became especially meaningful during his transition from college athletics to the NFL.
Toinette has also participated in a network of NFL players’ mothers who support one another during football seasons.
According to her interview, the group regularly communicates and shares prayers on game days.
The relationships have provided encouragement as the families experience the pressures and excitement of professional football.
Dareke Young’s Support for Lupus Awareness
Dareke Young has also participated in charitable initiatives supporting lupus awareness.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect several parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys and other organs.
Through the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats campaign, Young has supported the Lupus Foundation of America.
The initiative allows players to wear customized football cleats designed to raise awareness of charitable organizations and important causes.
Young selected the Lupus Foundation of America during multiple seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, including the 2023, 2024 and 2025 campaigns.
In December 2025, the Lupus Foundation of America recognized Young among the NFL players who had supported its work through the campaign.
His participation helped bring additional attention to the organization’s efforts to support individuals and families affected by lupus.
Published reporting has connected his advocacy to his family’s experience with the disease, although detailed personal medical information about relatives is not necessary to understand his charitable work.
Summary of Dareke Young’s Family
- Full name: Dareke Young
- Date of birth: June 4, 1999
- Birthplace: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
- Profession: NFL wide receiver and special teams player
- Team: Las Vegas Raiders
- Girlfriend: No publicly confirmed relationship
- Wife: No publicly confirmed marriage
- Children: No publicly confirmed children
- Father: Larry Parker
- Mother: Toinette Young
- Brothers: Not publicly confirmed
- Sisters: Not publicly confirmed
- Extended family: An aunt and maternal grandmother have been mentioned in public reporting
- Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
- High school: Middle Creek High School
- College: Lenoir-Rhyne University
- Degree: Engineering physics
- NFL Draft: 2022, seventh round, 233rd overall
- Super Bowl championship: Super Bowl LX with the Seattle Seahawks
Frequently Asked Questions About Dareke Young’s Family
Who is Dareke Young’s girlfriend?
Dareke Young has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. Reliable sources have not identified a current romantic partner.
Is Dareke Young married?
There is no verified public information indicating that Dareke Young is married or has a wife.
Does Dareke Young have children?
Dareke Young has no publicly confirmed children. He has not made a verified announcement about becoming a father.
Who are Dareke Young’s parents?
His parents are Larry Parker and Toinette Young. Both are identified in his official Lenoir-Rhyne University athletics biography.
Who is Dareke Young’s father?
Dareke Young’s father is Larry Parker. Although he has been identified in official college records, detailed information about his professional background remains limited.
Who is Dareke Young’s mother?
His mother is Toinette Young, who raised him in Raleigh, North Carolina. She has publicly discussed his football journey and the importance of faith and family support.
How many siblings does Dareke Young have?
The number of Dareke Young’s siblings has not been established through reliable public reporting. His official college and NFL biographies do not identify any brothers or sisters.
Does Dareke Young have a brother?
There is no verified public information identifying a brother of Dareke Young.
Does Dareke Young have a sister?
Reliable public sources have not confirmed whether Dareke Young has a sister.
Where is Dareke Young’s family from?
Dareke Young was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. He attended Middle Creek High School in nearby Apex before continuing his education at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
What did Dareke Young study in college?
Dareke Young earned an undergraduate degree in engineering physics from Lenoir-Rhyne University. He also began pursuing graduate studies in business administration.
What charity does Dareke Young support?
Dareke Young has supported the Lupus Foundation of America through the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats campaign.
Does Dareke Young have a Super Bowl ring?
Yes. Dareke Young was part of the Seattle Seahawks team that defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026.
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.
