Bryce Young responds to questions about size ahead of NFL Draft

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young was a Heisman Trophy winner and the potential No. 1 overall pick for a reason. However, there are questions about Young’s size for the pros, according to some NFL Draft experts.

But Young put those notions to rest during a Wednesday appearance during ESPN’s First Take. He was confident in making all of the throws, plays, taking hits and more, just like any other top prospect.

Safe to say, Young is not going to let his apparent small size affect his future NFL career.

“I think it’s valid,” Young said of differing opinions. “You know, I get it. I think everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. But for me, I’m capable and I know who I am. You know, I’ve been playing with a lot of people that have been bigger than me my entire life. ‘ve always been the smaller one on the field, I know that’s not going to change the next level, and it’s something I’m super used to. 

“In the next level, it’s about how quickly you can process, how well you can make the right decision, how well you get the ball out of your hands and get it to your playmakers? That’s something that I pride myself in, I’m ready for that challenge at the next level. I’m not looking to run a bunch of people over the next level or anything like that, but be more efficient with the ball. And you know, again, I’m used to playing on people that are much bigger, so it’s not gonna be anything different.”

It remains to be seen where Young will go, but he canceled the remainder of his draft visits and is reprotely the favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Carolina Panthers. 

For Young, size doesn’t matter in terms of his stature. With the way he played for the Crimson Tide, he could shine in the pros.

Young had the highest score in the S2 cognitive test among all the quarterbacks at the 2023 NFL Combine. And unlike the Wunderlic, which seeks to assess baseline intelligence, the S2 test is designed to evaluate how well an individual can process and react to information.

Young won the Heisman Trophy in 2021 during his first year as a starter and led Alabama to the College Football Playoff National Championship. Alabama missed out on the CFP last season, but ended with a Sugar Bowl victory.

At this rate, Young should’ve put the size concerns to bed.

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Young finished his college career with 8,356 yards, 80 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 65.8% completion percentage.