For the Alabama fans that were at Bryant-Denny Stadium in the third quarter, they all witnessed something magical versus Kentucky.
He has not had a lot of opportunities this season, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but Bryce Young took the field in the second half against the Wildcats with the first-team offense.
As a true freshman quarterback from Pasadena, Calif., he got a chance to provide supporters of Crimson Tide football with a glimpse of greatness for the future. In his fifth game, the five-star connected with DeVonta Smith on both of his attempts — including his first career scoring toss as an Alabama signal caller.
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Young first found Smith on a 35-yard completion along the sideline, but his touchdown pass had the feel of Patrick Mahomes for the Kansas City Chiefs. The 6-foot, 194-pounder evaded a sack, kept his eyes downfield, and made an off platform throw to Smith in the middle of the field for an 18-yard score. Young fired the pass in the smallest of windows as it hit Smith in his arms and he spun into the end zone. After not having spring football and going through a different type of preseason camp, Young and his family felt good about him recording his first collegiate touchdown in the Southeastern Conference.
Bryce Young’s first career TD at @AlabamaFTBL 🎯
He got next. pic.twitter.com/qwFuhGpiyz
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 21, 2020
Bryce Young’s first collegiate touchdown pass was a beaut 👀 pic.twitter.com/pcBL8cAcd5
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) November 22, 2020
He ended up with 53 passing yards and while fans would have liked to have seen him throw it more, Nick Saban also wanted to give the Tide’s freshmen running backs some reps too.
Young’s accuracy, ball placement, and playmaking abilities made him special at Mater Dei High School as a state champion.
According to Justin Smith, the lead scouting and recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Young entered the 2020 class with a diamond grade of one — which means he would be “an immediate contributor and game changer.”
He contributed big time versus Kentucky and had fans smiling from ear to ear.
In terms of Young and other freshmen, Coach Saban said the team ‘wants to see the young players do well.’
“I think it’s always good when those kids get an opportunity to play,” Saban said of Young and other freshmen. “I think the experience is very beneficial to them. It is also positive for them to get the self-gratification that they get when they throw a touchdown pass or score a touchdown. I think the players on the team really demonstrate the emotion everyone has when those guys do something, because everyone is rooting for them. It makes me happy to see them go out there and have production.”
Hopefully, Young gets another shot against Auburn to showcase his arm talent.
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Mac Jones may possibly pursue the NFL Draft after this season, and Alabama needs Young to be ready.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
