Bryce Young reveals how relationship with CJ Stroud has grown through pre-draft process

Bryce Young and CJ Stroud have been linked over the last two seasons in college football, setting themselves apart from the pack as the best of the best.

Now, the former Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes stars are jockeying to see which one’s name will be called first in next week’s 2023 NFL Draft. The betting odds and experts have gone back and forth over which quarterback it’ll be, but almost everyone agrees that Young or Stroud are the two likeliest picks at first overall.

While that could create animosity for some prospects, the two quarterbacks have actually grown closer throughout the process. Joining ESPN’s SportsCenter on Thursday, the former Crimson Tide star elaborated on his relationship with Stroud.

“Yeah, for sure. Me and CJ are super close,” Young responded, asked about his relationship with the former Ohio State star quarterback. “I’ve known him since middle school, and that’s someone I’m really close with, on and off the field. So yeah, we definitely talk about it a lot. We work out together, so we see each other all the time, and you know, it’s really a blessing for me, to be able to have someone like CJ that I’m super close with. We’re able to share this process together.

“Again, it’s something that’s once in a  lifetime, something that you only go through once, and for us to be in similar situations and to go through this together, it’s really beneficial, especially for me.”

Nevertheless, it’s evident Young believes he’ll either be the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, or at the least the second overall. Earlier this week, the former Alabama star made waves when he decided to cancel the rest of his pre-draft visits after meeting with the Carolina Panthers, who of course hold all the cards at first overall.

“For me, it was just a decision I made with my team,” Young said during Wednesday’s episode of First Take on ESPN. “It was kind of more of a logistics thing more than anything.

“I wanted to do everything I can to focus on getting ready for the draft and getting ready for whenever my name gets called, making sure I’m working out and training so that I can give my all to whatever franchise it is.”

Regardless, it’s indisputable that many believe Bryce Young will be special, but CJ Stroud will always be linked to the former Heisman winner moving forward. It’ll be fascinating to watch the healthy competition between two friends over the next couple of years.