The NFL's Youngest

Amobi Okoye

When Amobi Okoye reports to training camp with the Texans, he'll do so knowing that when Houston selected him in the first round last April, he became the youngest person ever drafted by an NFL team. Here's a look at some of the others who hold the youngest ever distinction in league history.

Dan Marino

In just his second NFL season in 1984, Marino set the all-time record for passing yards in a season (5,084) on his way to earning a trip to Hawaii while still just 22.

Walter Payton

At 23 and in his third season, Payton rushed for 1,852 yards and scored 14 touchdowns to earn the 1977 MVP award.

Champ Bailey

In 1999, the 21-year-old Redskins cornerback ran one back 59 yards against the Cardinals. In the same game, he also became the youngest to get three interceptions in one contest.

Emmitt Smith

At 22 and in his second season, Smith dashed for 1,563 yards in 1991.

Alex Smith

Desperate for a quarterback in a weak draft, the 49ers took the 20-year-old former Utah standout with the first pick in 2005.

Jamal Lewis

In Super Bowl XXXV, Lewis took the field for the Ravens at 21 years, 155 days as Baltimore beat the New York Giants 34-7. Lewis rushed for 103 yards and scored a touchdown.

Ben Roethlisberger

At 23, Roethlisberger eclipsed Tom Brady in this category when he led the Steelers to a 21-10 win over Seattle in Super Bowl XL.

Jon Gruden

The Buccaneers feisty coach was 39 years, 162 days, when Tampa Bay defeated Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII, unseating John Madden, who was 40 years, 274 days, when the Raiders won Super Bowl XI.

Gale Sayers

His career was cut short due to a knee injury, allowing him to be eligible for the Hall of Fame at 34.

DeAngelo Hall

One of the fastest players in football, Hall had just turned 21 during his rookie year with the Falcons when he picked off Aaron Brooks in Week 12 of the 2004 season.

Lane Kiffin

In an attempt to turn around the fortunes of his franchise, Al Davis hired the then-31-year-old Kiffin in January 2007.

Vince Young

The 24-year-old Titans quarterback will grace the cover of the 2008 edition of the game, due in mid-August, which sets him up, of course, to also become the youngest player to fall victim to the Madden Cover Curse.<br><br>Send comments to siwriters@simail.com.