Thirteen alums represent the University of Alabama this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Bryce Young, one of the top quarterbacks in this draft class, has come under fire by draft evaluators because of his slight height. Multiple draft pundits, including ESPN’s Todd McShay, feel that general managers of the National Football League should have concerns about selecting Young because he’s not of the prototypical height.
Young, who was listed at 6 feet and 194 pounds in his career at Alabama, stands at 5-10 according to McShay. As a two-year starter in the Southeastern Conference, Young was exceptional — tossing for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdown passes. He set the Crimson Tide’s single-season record in 2021 for passing yards (4,872), passing scores (47), and total touchdowns (50).
RELATED: Former Alabama LB blasts Todd McShay for Bryce Young height slight
He earned numerous awards during his tenure, including the Heisman Memorial Trophy in 2021.
Will Anderson Jr., Young’s former teammate, is not buying the height conversation.
Is Bryce Young’s size an issue at the NFL level?
Will Anderson doesn’t think so.
“If I was in the position to take him, I’m taking him”#NFLCombine #NFLDraft #HeadlinerNation pic.twitter.com/RMD1nqxK88
— Jake Hubman – The Fantasy Headliners (@FntsyHeadliners) March 1, 2023
“Bryce played in the SEC,” Anderson said Wednesday at the combine. “It is one of the best conferences in college football. Big defensive tackles, big defensive linemen, great pass rushers, and he took a lot of hits in his years there. I have all confidence in Bryce Young, and if I was in a position to take him, I am taking him.”
Anderson, a former five-star, totaled 34.5 sacks and 62 tackles for loss in three years for the Tide. He became the first Alabama player in school history to be a two-time Unanimous All-American. The native Georgian is selling NFL teams on not allowing the height conversation to deter them from taking arguably the best signal-caller in the upcoming draft.
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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.
