On the girdiron, Youngelman played end for Lincoln High.[2] He was elected a co-captain of both the football and basketball team in 1949, becoming just the third athlete in the history of the school to be named a captain of two major-sport teams.[2]
Following the conclusion of his senior season, Youngelman was honored with the Morris Kaufman Memorial Trophy, presented to the Lincoln player for character, leadership, sportsmanship, and ability.[3] He also received the team's Outstanding Lineman Cup for 1949 and a silver football and three year letter for his part of the school's football team.[3] He also was the co-winner of the 1949-50 scoring championship for the Brooklyn Public School Athletic League, with 207 points scored in 14 games, for an average of 14.8 points per tilt.[4]
The 6'3" Youngelmen was accorded All-City and All-Brooklyn honors in both football and basketball at the end of his high school career.[5]
College career
Youngelman attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where he played on the football team. He was moved from end to tackle at the college level,[5] playing on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Moving to the varsity in 1951, Youngelman made his mark as a stout defender on the line during fall practice, shutting down his offensive teammates again and again.[6] With the sophomore Youngelman gaining a starting role, Alabama finished with a record of 5–6 in 1951 — buried in 8th place in the 12 team Southeastern Conference (SEC).
