Will Anderson definitively defends Bryce Young, concerns about his height

Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young‘s play throughout his college career spoke for itself. But as one of the top prospects nearing the 2023 NFL Draft, the main area of concern across all evaluators has been about his height and weight. Young is listed at 6 feet tall and 194 pounds, but many are looking forward to what his measurements will be at the upcoming NFL Combine.

Young’s former teammate Will Anderson is also a participant at this year’s combine and addressed the concerns surrounding his former quarterback’s height and how it impacts his play at the next level.

“I would say Bryce played in the SEC. One of the best conferences in college football. Big defensive tackles, big defensive lineman, big pass rushers, and took a lot of hits during his years there. I have all confidence in Bryce Young. If I was in the position to take him, I’m taking him,” Anderson said.

Anderson has a valid point, as Young did flourish in what most regard as college football’s top conference that is the most comparable to the NFL. In his two years as a starter for the Crimson Tide, Young flourished, throwing for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns, and taking home the Heisman Trophy in 2021.

But with Young’s size comes the issue of durability and availability, which became a factor last season when he missed some time due shoulder injury he suffered after a hit he sustained versus Arkansas. He’s an instinctive player that has been great at avoiding hard contact throughout the majority of his career, and Anderson may not be concerned about his size, but NFL organizations across the league are surely taking it into account heading into April’s Draft.

Mel Kiper makes historic distinction about Bryce Young’s status as potential No. 1 pick

With the 2023 NFL Draft just two months away, questions still remain about which player will go atop the draft board. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper said the “consensus” seems to be former Alabama star Bryce Young — but he’d make history because of his size.

Kiper joined Mike Greenberg on ESPN’s “Get Up” to talk about Young’s chances of going No. 1 overall in April. He said the former Heisman Trophy winner’s size is still a question mark considering his 5-foot-11, 197-pound frame. No matter what, though, Kiper said Young would be the first player of that stature to go with the top pick.

“I think you look at consensus you try to build when you talk to your friends in the National Football League, Greeny, when you do these mocks, Bryce Young’s size is a concern. No question about it,” Kiper said. “That weight, what will it be? … I think QB1 is still to be determined. I think the consensus, though, from the people I talk to is Bryce Young, but it’s not everybody, Greeny. That size is a big concern.

“Can he withstand punishment through a long NFL season? He only played two years at Alabama, had the shoulder this year. That is definitely a concern. We have never, in the history of the draft, had a quarterback go this high at that size.”

On3’s Nick Shultz contributed to this report