Alabama head coach Nick Saban has four starting quarterbacks in the National Football League.
Two of them will face each other Sunday as the Carolina Panthers meet the Miami Dolphins.
RELATED: Bryce Young named a team captain as a rookie QB for Panthers
Bryce Young and Tua Tagovailoa were top five NFL Draft picks. Young became the first signal-caller of the Saban era for the Crimson Tide to go No. 1 overall in the common draft era. Both quarterbacks were Heisman finalists in college while Young delivered the program its fourth Heisman Trophy. Tagovailoa is having an MVP-caliber season in his fourth year in the NFL.
Young is searching for its first victory as a rookie in the pros.
He has 750 passing yards and five touchdowns to four interceptions. Frank Reich, head coach of the Panthers, believes in Young, but he knows Carolina needs more playmakers around him. Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins’ head coach, has made Tagovailoa a star in the league, but he also sees potential in Young. On Wednesday, he spoke to the media about how he’s impressed by Young.
Mike McDaniel on Bryce Young’s potential: pic.twitter.com/7HTq5e7LhS
— Michael Rimmer (@avl_mike) October 11, 2023
“He is a baller with a bright future,” McDaniel said. “He is one of the few young quarterbacks you see coming out that see defenders when operating as a quarterback. His vision is uncanny and you can see his timing and rhythm to the game. He is going to be a very good player in this league, in my opinion. There is nothing more difficult than being a rookie starting quarterback. In that process, you learn live speed. I’m seeing a guy who’s showing his talent through the rhythm of plays and learning certain things about how uncanny he is in the pocket, and how he moves, and he’ll continue to get better at extending plays.”
McDaniel praised Young’s ability to ‘throw a catchable ball.’
RELATED: Panthers actively pursuing a No. 1 wide receiver for rookie QB Bryce Young
“You can tell there is a reason why guys he played with in college have respect for him,” McDaniel said. “If you don’t believe me, just ask any Alabama player. Then, you can tell how he’s earned the respect of not only rookies but veterans on the team.”
Young gained the Panthers’ respect in the offseason because of his work ethic.
He pushed his way to be a starter during organized team activities (OTAs) and camp sessions. Young’s artistry as a passer helped Jameson Williams and John Metchie be 1,000+ yard wide receivers for Alabama in 2021. He suffered a shoulder injury in 2022, but Young posted 3,328 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. Tide fans are looking forward to seeing what he does against Miami.
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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.
