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CBS Sports analyst explains why Bryce Young's size is not a concern

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•01/22/23•

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Alabama QB Bryce Young
Sean Gardner | Getty Images

If you’ve heard about Bryce Young’s size once, you’ve heard about it a million times. That won’t change either as the former Alabama quarterback’s journey to the NFL is underway as he gets evaluated ahead of the NFL Draft.

However, Josh Edwards of CBS Sports says Young’s six-foot, 194-pound frame isn’t something teams should worry about too much. He says it’s something that’s far more manageable in this era of football and, while he won’t be a fit for every franchise, it isn’t enough of a reason to miss out on the kind of prospect that Young is projected to be.

“I understand the concerns about his size. I mean it’s unprecedented to have a quarterback of that size, that stature in the NFL. But the game is a little bit different,” said Edwards. “You can have a point guard at the quarterback position distributing the football and really utilizing the targets you’re able to build on that side of the ball. So I have less of a problem with his size today than maybe a decade ago.”

“I understand it’s not going to be ‘one size fits all’ where he’s going to be a fit for everyone. Some may prefer CJ Stroud, some may prefer Will Levis. I totally understand it,” Edwards said. “But Bryce Young? With what he brings to the table as far as his intangibles, his impromptu playmaking ability, the leadership? With all of that stuff, he’s my top quarterback prospect.”

We all know the career Young had in Tuscaloosa. In 27 appearances as the Tide’s QB1, he threw for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns on a 65.7% completion rate. The size never seemed to matter during his college football career as he led Alabama to a 23-7 record, an SEC Championship, and an appearance in the College Football Playoff’s National Championship Game. He also took home the Heisman Trophy in 2021.

Still, several will worry about his frame from now until the start of his pro career. Even so, there are still several like Edwards who say everything else at Young’s disposal far outweighs any concerns about his size.