Spring football returned to the University of Alabama on Friday, March 11.
Fans of the Crimson Tide are excited for this edition of athletes taking the field, as Nick Saban and the program look to reclaim the crown of national champions. With 15 practice sessions – including the A-Day Game – the staff writers for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will provide in-depth previews on marquee players.
We move to the sixth marquee player on Alabama’s defense to profile, and it’s defensive lineman Byron Young.
Byron Young
-Classification: Senior
–Position: Defensive Lineman (defensive end)
-Hometown: Laurel, Miss.
-Height: 6-3
-Weight: 292 pounds
–Strengths: Size, explosive quickness, power, edge-bending speed, production improves yearly, experience
–Weaknesses: Lack of starting experience
Summary for spring practice
Byron Young is back for Alabama with an opportunity to start as a defensive end.
He has been productive in each of the last three seasons. Young turned in his best campaign in 2021 with 39 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, and two quarterback hurries in 15 games. The 6-foot-3, 292-pounder possesses explosive quickness and Nick Saban refers to him as the fastest player upfront. Young brings quick twitch, edge-bending abilities on the defensive line, and he’s grown in positive consistency. He lacks starting experience, but Young is excited to be on the field more in the coming fall.
He and Justin Eboigbe will be the starting ends in spring practice. Young arrived in the Crimson Tide’s 2019 signing class as a four-star prospect. He’s played 41 games — including 12 starts — and totals 91 tackles (17 stops for loss), four sacks, three quarterback hurries, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery. Young is one huge season away from a first-round draft stock.
He could be the explosive returning lineman on Alabama’s defense. Players such as Quinnen Williams and Christian Barmore needed one season as a starter to explode on the NFL Draft radar. Young anticipates having the same level of success.
Related profiles
–Ty Simpson, Quarterback (freshman)
-Aaron Anderson, Wide Receiver (freshman)
–Emil Ekiyor, Offensive Lineman
–Will Anderson, Outside Linebacker
–Dallas Turner, Outside Linebacker
–Henry To’oto’o, Inside Linebacker
–Jordan Battle, Defensive Back
–Jihaad Campbell, Outside Linebacker (freshman)
–Jeremiah Alexander, Outside Linebacker (freshman)
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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.
