One of the many strengths on Alabama’s team a season ago aside from size, speed and experience was leadership.
From the likes of Mac Jones, Landon Dickerson and DeVonta Smith the Crimson Tide had a myriad of players to look to and stand behind to rally the troops. This season the team will be tasked with replacing nearly all of said leaders from 2020 and quarterback Bryce Young has been stepping up to the plate to fill the role on and off the field.
“I felt like there was a lot of improvement for me that I was focused on this offseason,” Young said during Thursday’s media availability. “I felt like leadership was one of the big ones for me. Seeing how strong the leadership that we had last year and obviously the success we had last year was something that was really inspiring for me, so wanting to step up as a leader was probably, for me, the biggest thing that I’ve focused on.”
Young was the top ranked quarterback in the class of 2020 before serving as the backup to Jones, who is now a New England Patriot, during Alabama’s national championship season. He attempted just 22 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown in nine games.
The Mater Dei product’s work ethic hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates either.
“Yeah, he’s definitely matured some,” wide receiver Slade Bolden said on Tuesday. “Obviously being a freshman, trying to learn the process, not only the offense but also Coach Saban and 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 end.
“Just like what I talked about earlier, it’s those things it takes time to grow in, and I feel like since freshman year he’s done a lot better job with maturity, being a better leader and also chemistry with the offense.”
Despite the departure of the core of Alabama’s championship team, expectations are still high for the 2021 version of the team. Young is heralded by many to be one of the most impressive recruits head coach Nick Saban has gotten to Alabama, and he is well aware of what will be asked of him while wearing the crimson and white.
“There’s obviously expectations, but for me, regardless of what happened in high school or any past experience I’ve had, coming to Bama is where you come for pressure and come for expectations,” Young said. “Everyone here that’s part of the team, when they signed on the dotted line and decided to come here, we knew it was gonna come with expectations.
“Saban sets that standard for us immediately — during recruiting and when we step into the building. So it’s not something I was blindsided by. And honestly, I don’t think it’s something that’s unique to me. I think everyone in the building has those expectations, and I think that’s a big part of the success that we’ve had and the success that we’re working towards having.
“Saban setting that standard and us putting those expectations on ourselves is really what pushed us day in and day out and makes us a lot better each and every day.”
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
