Bryce Young shares what makes CJ Stroud special

Bryce Young waxed poetic regarding CJ Stroud ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, where both quarterbacks are in contention to be picked with the first overall selection.

The former Alabama Crimson Tide star joined the crew over at The Pivot to explained why the former Ohio State Buckeyes signal caller is a special player. The duo have been linked for many years, but it’s evident there’s great respect between them.

“I think, I’ve been around him for a really long time. We’ve known each other for awhile. Obviously we’re super close,” started Young. “Seeing how he carries himself, for me, it’s really cool. … I’ve watched film on a bunch of guys, just from studying my mutual opponents, and you can watch the highlights, but seeing how people are in the moment, how they process, that’s stuff that’s hard. … That’s really hard to find if you’re just watching television. But I was able to watch how CJ was in the Elite 11. That’s a big moment.

“Everyone’s trying to be the MVP, and then everyone’s trying to win the 7-on-7 tournament. … Seeing how he carried himself during that time. Seeing how every time there was a big moment, he stepped up. Every big occasion. Seeing that through high school, I had watched him play before but seeing that and high pressure situations, and seeing how he carried himself, like that was something that really stood out to me. So of course, of course the accuracy, the decision-making, all the intangibles, all the great things that I hear. I’ve been around a bunch of people that played with him, and when you hear how they talk about him, I feel like that’s always a pretty good measurement of how people are. Hearing that, of course that’s all there, but I think we all kind of know that, we all see that. But being able to see how he carries himself and how he works on a day-to-day, and you know, just seeing what goes into those kind of moments, that was something that was really big for me.”

Moreover, Young believes that while Stroud’s profound ability on the field is obvious, it’s his work ethic and preparation that set him apart.

“So just on top of all the things that you see on film, and obviously he can make every single throw. Obviously processes super quick, great decision making. See how he played against Georgia in the biggest moments, stuff like that goes without saying,” added Young. “Seeing that was something that I thought you know, I got some insight on, and I respect him as a person first and foremost, but as a football player that was something that really, really garnered a lot of respect from me.”

It’s obvious the bond between Bryce Young and CJ Stroud is strong. Nevertheless, the duo will likely be battling for wins in the NFL for years to come. Still, it’ll be a healthy rivalry, both rooting for each other, except when they’re across the field from one another.