Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has made an immediate impact on the college football landscape. In just his first season under center for the Crimson Tide, he has established program and conference records. With a murky quarterback class in the 2022 NFL Draft, Young’s performances have NFL fans clamoring for the answer to one question: When is the Alabama quarterback eligible for the NFL Draft?
When is Bryce Young eligible for the NFL Draft?
Under current NCAA regulations, a player has to be three years removed from high school football to be eligible for the NFL Draft. Young was a five-star recruit out of Mater Dei high school in the 2020 recruiting class.
The 2019 High School Quarterback of the Year threw for 13,250 passing yards and 178 total touchdowns during his high school career.
Having chosen Alabama over USC, Young spent his first season removed from high school as the backup to Mac Jones for the Crimson Tide. In limited action, he completed 13 of 22 passes for 156 yards and 1 touchdown. When Jones entered the NFL Draft, Young was the natural successor to the mantle as the starting quarterback.
Since first setting foot on the field as a starter, Young has taken college football by storm. He’s the Heisman Trophy favorite after tallying an incredible 4,322 passing yards and 43 touchdowns this season. In addition to production, the Alabama quarterback has displayed a poise and professionalism that belies his tender years.
Young would be the QB1 of the 2022 NFL Draft, but NFL teams must wait
Furthermore, Young’s ability to read the game, his arm talent, and his reluctant but undeniable ability to create with his legs are already making him an alluring prospect. Although questions are circulating about his size, Young more than matches up to the task of playing at the next level.
Young would be the QB1 of the 2022 NFL Draft class if he was able to declare. However, Alabama and college football fans alike get another season to revel in his majesty, as Young isn’t eligible until the 2023 NFL Draft.
While that may be nearly 18 months away, Pro Football Network Draft Director Cam Mellor placed Young as the QB1 of the 2023 NFL Draft class in his way-too-early mock draft.
For quarterback-needy NFL teams, the 2023 NFL Draft can’t come soon enough.