Alabama's Bryce Young drafted No. 1 overall by Panthers
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is now the first Crimson Tide player to go No. 1 overall in the NFL draft since Harry Gilmer in 1948. On Thursday night, the Carolina Panthers selected the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner with the top selection. Going 75 years is a long wait, but Young is more than worth it after a stellar career in Tuscaloosa.
Yes, it’s true that Young never won a national title as a starter.
Yet, he still threw for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns in only 27 games as QB1. That’s an impressive 303.7 yards and 2.9 touchdowns per game. Oh, and he also added seven touchdowns on the ground during that span. It probably would have been more, but the shoulder injury suffered against Arkansas in Week 5 hindered him for most of last season.
Now, the 5-foot-10, 204-pound signal-caller is taking his talents to Carolina.
This is the first time the Panthers have held the No. 1 overall pick since they drafted former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton in 2010. He went on to start 129 games or the franchise while throwing for 29,725, 186 touchdowns and 113 interceptions. He also added 5,036 yards and 63 scores on the ground. In other words, the Panthers are hoping that Young can be the franchise’s next decade-long quarterback.
It took a lot to get the young signal-caller, too.
Carolina did have the No. 9 pick, but it traded up to No. 1 with Chicago back in early March. The Panthers gave up picks No. 9 and No. 61 in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025 and star wide receiver D.J. Moore. That’s a steep price, but landing a star player at the most important position on the field seems worth it.
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The franchise already is already close to being set along its offensive line.
Ikem Ekwonu, the team’s top-10 selection from 2022, is a top young left tackle in the game. You’ve also got right tackle Taylor Moton and guard Brady Christensen as building blocks. Oh, and we also can’t forget about former Alabama lineman Bradley Bozeman, who’s set to start at center after signing a new three-year deal with the team back in March.
The Panthers also tried to address the weapons around Young by signing veteran receivers DJ Chark and Adam Thielen, as well as tight end Hayden Hurst and running back Miles Sanders. It’s also possible that another weapon will be added with Carolina’s second (No. 39 overall) or third-round (No. 93) selections. Either way, it’s a special day for Bryce Young and his family.
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