Bryce Young sets expectations entering Year 2 as starting quarterback

Expectations for Bryce Young and the Alabama offense are sky high this offseason, but that’s what happens when you’re the returning Heisman winner on a loaded offense. Alabama is one of, if not the favorite to win the national title.

For Young himself, though, the expectations are more centered on himself and his down-to-down play. He just wants to be efficient, take what the defense is leaving him, and be a bit more of a leader as he’s more comfortable with the offense in his second year starting at Alabama.

“I feel like there’s definitely experiences from the past that I can draw back on now that obviously I didn’t have going into last year,” Young said. “But, I think just being more comfortable as a leader. Being a little bit more comfortable in the offense. Being more comfortable with OB [offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien]. At this time last year, it was my first time going into a game with hm, his first time going into a game with me. And now, obviously, we have a lot of those under our belt. So just knowing how the operation offensively works. Having been in situations before, with some guys that are new, some guys that have been there with me last year. With all that stuff, I think that comfort level is just a little bit higher for me.”

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As for the offense, specifically, Young isn’t caught up in playing any way other than high-scoring. That should be an attainable goal with the talent around Young in transfer running back Jahmyr Gibbs, transfer wideout Jermaine Burton and a bevy of others.

“I think we just want to be balanced,” Young said. “Want to be able to take what the defense is giving us. For us — obviously, everyone loves big plays, explosive plays — but for us, however we can get points on the board is what we want to do. So when those big, explosive plays are there, we want to do our best to make sure we take advantage of that and if we have to — if it has to be 2, 3, 4 yards, run game, Whatever it may be. Short passes — whatever we need. It’s just about taking what the defense gives us. And making sure that we’re balanced and multiple and we can do whatever we feel like the coaches believe is best for us, week by week.”