Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle share postgame moment with Bryce Young

It’s no secret the Alabama program is constantly sending players to the NFL, representing some of the biggest names and most talented players in the league both in the past and the present.

Their latest high draft pick was this year’s No. 1 overall selection, quarterback Bryce Young, who was unfortunately on the losing end of a 42-21 loss that the Miami Dolphins handed to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

A duo of former Crimson Tide players had a big impact on the Dolphins win, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throwing three touchdown passes on the day and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle being the recipient of one of them. But after the game, they both still showed some love to their fellow Alabama alumni at the 50-yard in an earnest moment that can be seen below.

Tua and Waddle giving Bryce Young encouragement ❤️@AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/1rleRNvbRn

— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023

Young has not had the most ideal start to his NFL career in his rookie season, as the Panthers are yet to secure a single win so far this year with a 0-6 record. He ranks among the league’s worst with just 750 yards this season, five touchdown passes, four interceptions, and a disappointing 28.3 adjusted quarterback rating. Not to mention he’s already missed two games this season with an ankle injury following an NFL Draft process highlighted concerns regarding his size and durability at the next level.

Tagovailoa has been in the same shoes as Young, struggling early in his career before elevating his game to an MVP-caliber level last season, which he’s carried into this year as well currently leading the league in passing yards.

Young and Tagovailoa were never teammates in college, with Young’s freshman season representing Tagovailoa’s rookie season in the NFL. But Tagovailoa could have potentially given Young advice from his experience in the league and encouragement following the game as Young still looks to find his way in the NFL.

Young threw for 217 yards and a touchdown on Sunday versus Miami, completing 60.5% of his passes but not generating enough offense for the Panthers to secure their first win of the season. Tagovailoa added 262 yards to his three touchdown passes, and Waddle’s touchdown catch was just one of his seven receptions on the day for 51 yards.

Young will look to flip the Panthers’ misfortune next weekend as they take on the Houston Texans, while Tagovailoa and Waddle will gear up for a marquee Sunday Night Football matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday.