Saints safety Usama Young, now known for his Super Bowl ad, looks to prove himself on field

Saints see Usama Young maturing quickly at safety

METAIRIE, La. — Usama Young might be better known for his Super Bowl commercial last winter than anything he’s done on a football field in his first two seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

His switch in positions this year from cornerback to free safety could change that, based on reviews he’s getting from coaches and teammates.

“He’s got a bright future at the safety position,” Saints secondary coach Dennis Allen said. “He was a fast corner, but I don’t know that he had the speed and the agility that you need at this level — but he’s been outstanding and everything we hoped he’d be at the safety position.”

Taken in the third round of the 2007 draft, Young spent much of his first two seasons playing primarily on special teams. Most of his snaps at cornerback came in passing situations, when formations called for five or six defensive backs, though he did start twice last season because of teammates’ injuries.

His 19 special teams tackles ranked second on the club in 2008, when he also made his first two career interceptions and had a career-high 27 defensive stops.

In part because of his long dreadlocks, Young was recognizable by Saints fans ever since he arrived in New Orleans. His good-natured smile and childhood story of selling snow cones at Washington Redskins games elevated his national profile when the NFL ran its “Super Ad” contest on the league’s Web site.

Young’s story, in which he admitted to being distracted from his vending job by games, and to sometimes running on the field when the stadium was empty, was among the most popular with fans whose votes helped decide which player would be featured in the Super Bowl spot.

“I’m not used to getting recognized back in Maryland and the D.C. area,” Young said of his rising fame after the ad ran. “And a few times people came up to me like, ‘Hold on. You were in the Super Bowl commercial?’”

The ad also was a hit at Kent State, where Young played in college and then returned last winter to finish work on his degree in education.

“The teachers knew who I was,” Young said. “My professors were asking me about the season, asking me about our defense. … It was kind of funny.”

Young walked in a graduation ceremony in May with his parents in attendance — a moment he called the highlight of his offseason. He then returned to New Orleans to learn his new job, expecting to be pressed into service quickly.

The Saints let go of their top two free safeties from 2008, Kevin Kaesviharn and Josh Bullocks, before adding veteran safety Darren Sharper, the likely starter when the regular season begins.

Young welcomed the chance to learn from Sharper, a four-time Pro Bowler who leads all active NFL players with 54 interceptions.

“I’m trying to get all that he has to offer because I know that he knows so much,” Young said. “I try to ask him what he’s gone through, what type of stuff I should look for to help me get better or help me play fast and he’s constantly helped me out.”

Saints quarterback Drew Brees observed Young’s progress from across the line of scrimmage throughout training camp.

“Learning all those things has been an adjustment for him, but he’s picked it up very well,” Brees said. “I love the guy. He’s intelligent and a hard worker — a great player. He wants to be a guy who contributes to this team. He’s on his way to being that guy.”

Young started the Saints’ third preseason game at Oakland last weekend, hurting his shoulder while nearly making an interception. He’s expected to recover by Week 1 of the regular season, but was unlikely to play in Thursday night’s preseason finale against Miami.

Saints coaches say they’ve already seen enough to leave them hopeful Young will thrive in his new role.

“He’s pushing hard for that position,” head coach Sean Payton said. “He’s handled that transition well and has gotten better … and we’re encouraged by what we see now.”