Bryce Young explains what makes him unique in deep quarterback draft class

The 2023 NFL Draft is barely more than a week away at this point, meaning someone is going to hear his name called at No. 1 overall in short order. That someone may very well be Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, who is one of the more unique prospects in recent memory.

A bit small in stature, Young made a name for himself at the college level with his ability to escape the pocket and make things happen.

But his ability goes beyond just the ability to scramble and get free. He’s one of the most effective playmakers in the country when things break down, and that’s no accident, he explained Wednesday on ESPN’s First Take.

“For me I definitely pride myself in poise and leadership and especially the poise that it takes when you have those moments of uncertainty, you don’t know what’s going to go on, what’s going to happen,” Young said. “I feel like especially at the next there’s so many close games. I think as an offense being a leader and being someone that you look towards in those troubled times to know that you’re going to be OK, that’s what I pride myself in, something that I feel like I bring to the table.”

Bryce Young’s unique ability to do just that was something the college football world witnessed firsthand for the better part of two years.

The Alabama quarterback didn’t put up quite the same numbers in 2022 as he did a year earlier, when he won the Heisman Trophy, but he was still remarkably effective.

In the last two seasons for the Crimson Tide, Young threw for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns, while throwing just 12 interceptions.

Despite his excellent accolades and the growing consensus that he’ll likely be the No. 1 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers, it’s a deep enough quarterback draft that there are still some question marks.

“I’m honored to be in the draft with the quarterbacks that I am,” Young said. “I know most of them really well and I’m a big fan of everyones’ game, too.”

The most likely competition for Young at the No. 1 overall pick is Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud. While Stroud doesn’t have the rushing ability of some of the other quarterbacks in the draft class, he significantly improved his NFL Draft stock with an excellent showing against Georgia in a College Football Playoff semifinal contest.

Then there’s Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, who has shot up the draft boards after setting NFL Combine records. He doesn’t have nearly the track record Young has, but it’s hard to ignore his ceiling given his remarkable athletic capabilities.

In any case, though, Bryce Young certainly has a unique profile. Whatever the concerns about his size, it’s almost impossible to ignore his unflappability, as he points out.