Slade Bolden says Bryce Young showing more maturity, leadership in Year 2
Alabama football had its leader at the quarterback position last season. His name is Mac Jones, and everyone knew it was his team. Yes, that even includes Bryce Young, who was a freshman at the time.
It can be difficult trying to be a vocal leader when you’re in a situation similar to the one Young found himself in last season.
First off, he was a newbie. That’s hard enough. But more so, Young had to understand his place in Alabama’s locker room. It wasn’t his time back then, and Young accepted that. With that being said, his time is now. This is his team, and that should completely change his approach.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Slade Bolden is seeing the growth from his second-year quarterback firsthand. He said as much during a Zoom meeting with reporters on Tuesday. Young is maturing, he’s becoming a better leader and he’s in the process of building chemistry with the rest of the offense.
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“He’s definitely matured some,” Bolden said Tuesday. “Obviously, being a freshman, trying to learn the process of not only the offense but also Coach Saban and just the program in general. He’s becoming a better leader, I think, and just trying to connect and build the chemistry with the receivers and also the O-line and the running backs, the tight ends. Just those things, it takes time to grow in, and I feel like since his freshman year, he’s done a lot better job with maturity, being a better leader and also chemistry with the offense.”
Young’s confidence will continue to grow as he gets more comfortable being the team’s starter. Developing an understanding of the offense being built around you will do that. But so will taking command of the locker room and in other ways away from the field.
After only getting 114 snaps as a freshman, expect significant growth from the second-year quarterback.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
