Alabama’s offensive pairing of Bryce Young and Bill O’Brien is going well so far.
During the spring, O’Brien coached the sophomore quarterback to success in scrimmages and the A-Day game. Young was the Most Valuable Player of the event at Bryant-Denny Stadium, totaling 333 passing yards with one touchdown. Since then, the former five-star turned in a great summer and has been smooth in fall camp. The 6-foot, 194-pounder tossed for three scores in Alabama’s first scrimmage last week. Nick Saban was proud of his performance but wants to see those around him do better.
RELATED: Alabama QB Bryce Young zeroing in on becoming a leader
Steve Sarkisian got Young to sign in the Crimson Tide’s 2020 class. As a fellow California native, people were looking forward to both guys at Alabama together. Sarkisian took the Texas job after last year, and Saban brought in O’Brien to orchestrate the offense. He has been a great teacher thus far, and Young likes how O’Brien has gone about developing him as a player.
“Coach O’Brien coming in has been great for me,” Young said Thursday. “Really, it has been a super smooth transition. … He’s really taught me a lot, and that’s been something really good for me and my growth.”
He was a prolific high school quarterback, but Young’s focus is on the collegiate level. O’Brien coached Tom Brady and Deshaun Watson while Young patterns his game after Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. Maybe the two can craft a combination of all four NFL quarterbacks, and turn Young into a superstar. He has picked up on his leadership, and the team is behind him.
It going to be fun to watch the relationship grow between O’Brien and Young.
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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.
