Bryce Young ended his second year as the quarterback for the Carolina Panthers after their early exit with a 5-12 record. Young has come a long way since his college days at Alabama which he began in 2020 as a backup behind Mac Jones, but his talent was clear early on thanks to then-head coach Nick Saban’s tutelage.
Bryce Young’s Father Shares Nick Saban’s Recruiting Strategy
In an interview on the “Beat Everyone” podcast on Jan. 24, Bryce’s father, Craig, shared some insights on how Saban recruited players:
“Coach is really smooth, he is very conversational. He will tell you a lot about what is going on during practice, he will give you some game plan hints. He was a really really great recruiter. … There wasn’t a pitch, it’s just like, ‘Do you want to play against the best?’ and when he said ‘against the best,’ you would think what he meant, ‘Do you wanna play in the SEC?’
“No, when you play against the best that means everyday at practice. … So, it’s almost a challenge. Are you mentally, physically, and emotionally tough enough to put yourself in a situation where you are gonna be competing with the best players of the country?”
Bryce Young’s dad, Craig Young, breaks down Nick Saban’s recruiting strategy.
Clipped from the Alabama football podcast “Beat Everyone” #rolltide pic.twitter.com/K5iDjCndhW
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) January 24, 2025
Bryce became Alabama’s starting signal caller in his second year, and threw for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns, which saw him win the Heisman Trophy in 2021. After spending one more year with the Crimson Tide, he entered the NFL Draft and was picked first overall by the Panthers.
In his first two seasons at Carolina, Bryce has accumulated 5,280 passing yards and 26 scores. The team is still building around their star quarterback, however, with limited cap space it has not been easy to add players.
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With the Panthers holding the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, they have a chance to select a new playmaker at wide receiver, which their offense is in great need of.
Some top prospects in the Panthers range are Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona, a big 6-foot-5 receiver who could be a reliable target for young, and Jalen Royals from Utah State, who might be a steal if he recovers well from a season-ending foot injury he incurred in October. Another option is Jayden Higgins from East Carolina, who has the potential to be a good player in the red zone.
