The Carolina Panthers made history on Thursday night when they selected University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft (NFL.com). This marks the first time in the common era that a Crimson Tide player has been taken as the first overall pick (CBS Sports).
Despite questions about his size, Young’s tremendous feel for the game and Joe Burrow-like calm have made him a unique prospect (The Ringer). The Panthers, who have been in need of a long-term solution at quarterback, said they were “unanimous” in selecting Young (ESPN).
The moment was not lost on Young, who said he was blessed to be a Panther and is ready to get to work in Carolina (Fox News). General manager Scott Fitterer has felt confident in selecting Young since February, citing his conviction towards the quarterback (Carolina Panthers).
Young made waves in college football as the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, and is poised to change perceptions of what NFL teams look for in a quarterback (Yahoo Sports). He replaces the stopgap solutions the Panthers have tried at QB in recent years, now serving as the face of the franchise (USA Today).
Young’s smarts also shine off the field, as he reportedly scored highest in the S2 test, which replaced the Wonderlic test, among quarterbacks in the draft. In addition, his flashy outfit stole the show among other draft picks’ outfits (CBS Sports, USA Today).
It remains to be seen how Young will fare in the NFL, but his historic selection as the No. 1 overall pick is sure to bring excitement to Panthers fans and Alabama Crimson Tide supporters alike.
