Traditionally, the prototypical NFL QB was comprised of the John Elway physique, the Aaron Rodgers arm, and the Justin Herbert height. These tools are mostly what is seen on the outside, the eye test. Of course we have witnessed many QBs fitting this description horribly fail at becoming great, paging Ryan Leaf. The old adage about judging a book by its cover comes to mind… To make it in the NFL, today’s successful QBs boast mental focus and the smarts reminiscent of a multi-year veteran. One such prospective QB hails from Tuscaloosa. Bryce Young, a five-star blue chip recruit, may not have the size of the prototype NFL QB, but he sure does have the intangibles.
Young’s D-1 talent was evident during his time at Mater Dei, the prestigious QB factory in So-Cal. Mater Dei has famously produced college superstars such as Matt Leinart and Colt Brennan and a bust or two, oops, Todd Marinovich. During his Mater Dei tenure, Young was electric throwing for 13,250 yards and 152 TDs. An All-American, Young received several accolades including Gatorade High School Player Of The Year. Young’s high school tape highlights a maturity you don’t see in your average blue-chip QB as he would rather sit in a collapsing pocket and fire a bomb over top of a safety than take off for the open field. In addition, Young showed a rare accuracy that could only be described as generational. On National Signing Day, Young signed with Alabama beginning his college journey.
In 2020, Young saw limited action behind future NFL QB Mac Jones. After Jones and Heisman winner Devonta Smith jumped to the NFL, Nick Saban handed the keys to Young who didn’t look back. During Young’s first game as a starter, he torched Miami for 344 yards and 4 TDs. Later in the season against Arkansas, he broke the Alabama single game passing yards record with 556 yards. Young’s 2021 season ended with a Heisman statue on his resume. 2022 would be consider a down season according to Alabama standards, especially offensively; however, Young still had 27 TDs to only 5 INTs. As a result, Bama will miss the College Football Playoffs for the second time in four years.
Watching Young’s tape is a thrilling experience. He shows elite accuracy and pocket presence that allows him to find receivers in tight coverages. A good example of this is in an October matchup against Tennessee when Young hung in the pocket despite an EDGE in his face and delivered a strike to Jermanie Burton across the middle. For someone of Young’s six foot stature, his drop back under center seems standard and he can devise good throws out of play action. Unlike most the QBs in this draft, I don’t see a major flaw in Young’s game. CJ Stroud has accuracy issues, Will Levis has a lack of experience in big games, and Anthony Richardson reminds me of Denard Robinson’s weak arm. Young fits the bill for a modern NFL QB and should be the #1 pick in the draft.
