When Alabama quarterback Bryce Young measured in at the scouting combine, no doubt after a few extra steaks from Harry and Izzy’s or St. Elmo’s, his height of 5-foot-10 and ⅛ put him in the first percentile of all draftable quarterbacks since 1999 (per MockDraftable.com), and his weight of 204 pounds put him in the sixth percentile. In pro football history, the list of quarterbacks any starting experience at a height of 5-foot-10 to 5-foot-11, and 200 to 204 pounds is a short (sorry) one, with Sonny Jurgensen leading the list, along with 1987 strike quarterback Sean Payton (yes, that Sean Payton), and Seneca Wallace as the only quarterback from the new millennium. If we drop the weight down to 185-190, which was more likely Young’s actual playing weight, the list is even less spectacular, especially in the modern era.
So, when we talk about concerns regarding Young’s size, what we are really saying is that there is no other quarterback who has credibly taken a pro football field at his size in a very long time. And that has to be discussed, especially since Young’s talent may well have him selected first overall in the 2023 draft.
Teams will have to weigh that against the actual quarterback in question, and in his 2022 season, Young completed 245 of 380 passes for 3,325 yards, 32 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a passer rating of 114.9. Over three seasons with the Crimson Tide, he completed 623 of 952 passes for 8,341 yards, 80 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a passer rating of 115.9. When you have a quarterback completing 65.4% of his passes and averaging 8.8 yards per attempt against the best possible competition, that’s a combination of accuracy and velocity that bears serious study, no matter the size of the player.
Nick Saban, Young’s college coach, had this to say on the issue after Young’s Thursday pro day wrapped up.
“I don’t have any issues with his measurables,” he told Mike Garofolo and Steve Smith Sr. of the NFL Network. “Some people think it’s a durability issue, which is… he’s never been hurt here, other than when he hurt himself falling down and putting his arm out. And his 5-foot-10 frame has never had an impact on his productivity. In a league where most of the players you’re playing against are the same guys you’re going to be playing against at the next level. So, it’s not like he’s playing against lesser talent; there’s so many players in the SEC that get drafted.
“So, I don’t have an issue with it. There’s never been a more instinctive guy — he plays the position like a point guard. He’s got great instincts, great feel, can change arm angles, very accurate with the ball. He’s a really quick decision-maker and a processor, which I think are… accuracy, quick decision-maker, and processor, are the most important qualities when playing quarterback.”
Saban also confirmed the story that after a Saturday game, Young would be in watching tape before the coaches, and by Monday morning, he’d have a list of questions based on the Sunday game plan.
From our NFL+ coverage of Alabama’s pro day: Nick Saban joined me and @stevesmithsr89 to talk Bryce Young: “Bryce was as smart and well-prepared as our entire coaching staff.” pic.twitter.com/QJwW79f123
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 23, 2023
This all shows up on tape. So, let’s get into the inevitable discussion — how much will Young’s size actually affect his NFL future? And what questions will NFL teams be asking him as they try to figure it all out?