Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
6’0”, 200 lbs.
2021 Heisman Trophy Winner
1st Team All-SEC (2021), 2nd Team All-SEC (2022)
2021 SEC Player of the Year
2021 Davey O’Brien Award Winner
Alabama Single Season Passing Yards and Touchdowns Leader.
Top 2 in Alabama Passing Yards and Touchdowns for a career.
Introduction:
The 2-year starter at Alabama made short time of his tenure in Tuscaloosa, by leading Alabama to a National Championship appearance, winning a Heisman Trophy, and setting passing records his sophomore and junior year. Young is looking to bring his decision-making, arm talent and play making skills to the NFL, just as he did at Mater Dei High School and Alabama. The projected Top 3 pick amongst Draft Media, is a possible franchise changing talent for a quarterback needy team in this year’s draft. Here’s WHY, and WHY NOT to buy into Bryce Young in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
Analysis:
Quick Production and Impression:
Young had a storied career in his short time with the Crimson Tide. The once USC recruit flipped his intent to sign with the Crimson Tide and won a Heisman Trophy, and set season passing records becoming Top 2 in the Alabama record books in other passing statistics, all in the span of two years.
Youngs decision making and playmaking abilities make him a valuable prospect to NFL teams looking for a talented, and highly regarded quarterback to change the direction of their franchise. Young’s arm can make all NFL throws, with accurate placement and zip. He has the football IQ to know where the ball is going and gets it there fast and efficiently and will easily ease his way into an NFL playbook.
Arm and Talents:
Young’s arm talent is the highlight of his skillset, he shows great accuracy, and ball placement in short to mid pass attempts, and solid ability to throw the deep ball. To go with his passing abilities, Young also has mobility in his legs to be effective outside the pocket. As SEC pass rushers closed in, Young used his legs to escape pressure, avoid the sack attempt and move away from danger all while keeping his eyes downfield to either hit a downfield target or tuck the ball and run for a first down.
Size / Issues
An issue most experts, and NFL teams have with Young is the glaring size issue compared to fellow draft prospects, and current signal callers in the NFL. Listed as 6’0” and 200 pounds depending on who you ask, the question is whether Young will be able to take the physical tole that an NFL season brings. Compared to fellow Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray, Young is smaller in stature, and height, and leaves teams weary of if he can take the hits of an NFL season. His height also may be a cause for concern as the average offensive lineman is around 6’4”. Poor downfield vision and unclear passing lanes to receiving targets may be a problem for Young to be productive right away on a consistent basis.
Young struggles with holding on to the ball too long and will try to scramble his way out of trouble, which often leads to sacks, a minor issue that can create major problems. Learning to throw the ball away to avoid sacks or costly turnovers, and going to a checkdown sooner is a must.
Size being the only glaring issue, Young doesn’t let that affect his game, however. With the use of quick throws, and anticipation of where the receiver will be going, Young can still throw the ball with the best of them. He knows about the talk of his size, but another thing Young excels at is tuning out the noise around him and focusing on the task at hand.
Calm and Composure:
Young is calm, cool, and collected when the heat is on in the winding minutes of the game. When the game is tight, Young is the last person you will see sweating the outcome. He had memorable performances in the Iron Bowl, leading the Tide to an overtime victory over Auburn, by a last-minute drive to send the game to OT, and by bringing the Tide back and almost completing the comeback against Tennessee after just returning from a shoulder injury he suffered a few weeks prior. Young doesn’t flinch when defenses are coming at him, or when the pressure is on to make a play. He will look to expand the pocket and do anything it takes to keep the play alive, all while making it look easy in the process.
FIT and Plan for Success:
Young will produce early in his career using a Heavy Shotgun, Spread Offense system that lightens the box, and sets him up for easy reads, completions and drive extending plays. RPO’s were a staple in the Alabama offense, and Youngs processing ability, and arm talent will give him a chance to sustain drives and set up scoring opportunities for the offense. His legs are not to be dismissed as well, mixing in safe read option plays will keep defenses on their toes, and leave them having to account for Young on any given play, through the ground and through the air.
Buy and Why:
Decision Making Ability
Play Making Ability
Arm Talent
Sell and Run:
Size Issues
Doing too much
NFL Pass Rush/ Timing
Scheme/System Fits:
Spread
RPO Plays
Play Action Schemes
Round Selection/ Pick Prediction:
First Round, Top 5 Pick
Conclusion:
Young has a chance to be the next quarterback selected in the first round to be a star in the NFL. Young has the arm talent, maturity, and football IQ to be productive, but size issues stand in the way from Young being the next top star. Like most times when the game is on the line, Bryce will put his head down, tune out the noise, and do what he’s done since his high school years, and that’s win.