Before he spoke to reporters today, the most recent image of Bryce Young in the minds of Alabama fans was him looking highly disappointed after a loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Nick Saban did the right thing by honoring his quarterback in the postgame presser, but the Heisman Trophy winner felt he let his team down. Young looked happier and more focused at the podium as he took questions in the Crimson Tide’s return to spring practice. The junior quarterback discussed several things, but Young spent time talking about his emotions from a meeting with the Bulldogs in January to end the 2021 season. Young said it ‘took a little bit’ to get over the defeat, but he is ready to turn the page and focus on returning to the CFP this fall.
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“Anytime something as a national championship doesn’t go your way, it hurts a lot,” Young said. “For me, it was transitioning from the emotions of the game, the anger you feel at yourself, to snapping out of that. Now, it is what am I going to do to get better. It has been a process of turning that page.”
He has watched the CFP title game since the loss.
Young said he uses the film study to “self-scout, process things, and improve.”
He wants to get better at post-snap reads and progressions. Young is emphasizing communication in the running game and passing attack. He wants the offensive line, running backs, receivers, and tight ends to consistently be on the same page.
The team has spoken about where it wants to be moving forward from the loss, and it is about controlling what it can. He enjoyed his spring break, but Young is excited about returning to action and building chemistry with his teammates.
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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.
