Miles Sanders doesn't believe Bryce Young's stature will hold him back in the NFL

Nothing can stop Bryce Young from success, not even his own body. Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders recently weighed in on the rookie quarterback during an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show.”

“I look at him, and he’s very sharp and on it with everything. He’s there early, he leaves late. His decision-making is smart. He doesn’t force anything, really. His pocket presence is what really stands out to me. So, again, the height doesn’t matter—I hope nobody’s worried about the height. But I like him, and we got a bright future ahead… His pocket presence is amazing to me,” Sanders said.

Despite being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young isn’t a prototypical quarterback. Standing at 5-foot-10, there were widespread worries regarding the Alabama star’s professional potential.

Young hasn’t shied away from the questions. Following the NFL combine, Young faced the critiques head-on.

“I’m myself, I know who I am, I’m confident in my abilities,” Young said, via The Charlotte Observer’s Scott Fowler. “For me, I don’t know how to play the game another way. I’ve been this size relative to the people around me for my entire life… I can’t grow. I can’t get any taller.”

Young didn’t need any extra inches to succeed on the collegiate level. Young is the only player in Alabama history to throw for 3,000+ yards in two seasons. Additionally, Young finished second in program history for career passing yards (8,356) and passing touchdowns (80), earning the 2021 Heisman Trophy.

Sanders asserted the 21-year-old’s talents are already evident.

“You think he’s gonna get sacked, you think he’s just looking, he’s lost in there. But no — he got his eyes downfield, and his release is quick, too. He lets it go quick, and it’s accurate,” Sanders said.

Sanders’ words hold weight. The 5-foot-11 running back is new to the Panthers, as well, after spending four years with the Philadelphia Eagles. Last season, Sanders rushed for a career-high 1269 yards and 11 touchdowns.

While a lack of height isn’t desirable in an NFL quarterback, there are examples of success. Players like Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray are all 6-foot or under. Young hopes to be the next great quarterback to overcome their detrimental stature.