He has been a leader for Alabama’s defense since his arrival in 2019, but Byron Young had NFL scouts considering him for first-round pick value last week against Mississippi.
As a native of Laurel, Miss., Young dominated the school of his home state in a 30-24 victory for the Crimson Tide.
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The 6-foot-3, 292-pounder told reporters Alabama still has ‘a lot to play for,’ and he proved it with his performance.
He pressured Rebels’ quarterback Jaxson Dart a lot in the second half. Young led a defense that allowed one touchdown, 166 yards, and one third-down conversion after halftime. He is not on the Crimson Tide’s leadership council; however, the former four-star deserves to be added. Young finished tied for a team-high 11 tackles, including two for loss and two sacks. He turned in a quarterback hurry, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble. Scouts from the Senior Bowl were in attendance at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, and Young earned Reese’s Senior Bowl Player of the Week honors. He is one of several Tide players that opened the season on the Senior Bowl’s watchlist. His performance may have earned him some big money and value for April’s draft.
The Reese’s Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week is @AlabamaFTBL @ByronYoung19 tallying 11 tackles, 6 solo, 2 sacks, 2 QGH, 1 PBU and 1 Forced Fumble in the #Alabama 30-24 win over Ole Miss. #RollTide #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/0XTgDuaCRt
— Reese’s Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) November 14, 2022
Young also earned SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week and Alabama Coaching Staff Player of the Week.
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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.
