Easy on the Bryce Young Hype Train
Bryce Young came to Alabama as one of the most highly touted quarterback prospects every to set foot in Tuscaloosa. In limited work, he has shown flashes of brilliance amidst a few typical freshman moments. With Mac Jones on to the NFL, Bryce seems to be the next man up.
Since the season concluded, I’ve seen a lot of chatter on social media about “keeping the train rolling” and how Bryce is “destined to succeed.” Each time I see comments to that effect, I can help but think “easy does it.” I know Bryce Young is a special talent, but he’s also a true Sophomore with very little playing experience and none in meaningful moments.
He’s going to have an opportunity to compete to solidify the starting job, and almost everyone (including me) expects that he will win the job going away. My hesitation comes not in the form of a lack of confidence, but a realism grounded in the situation around him. He is a young guy who needs time to mature physically (which I am sure that Dr. Rhea & David Ballou are helping along quite nicely), and he is having to make an adjustment to a new system under Coach Bill O’ Brien. Add in significant turnover at OL, TE, RB, and WR, and he has a lot on his plate coming into this year.
The past several years have spoiled us into expecting continuity and continued success in spite of similar challenges. Let’s realize how rare the run that we have experienced is for an offense with so much turnover on and off the field. Perhaps, things will continue to roll without missing a beat. Perhaps the road will be a little bumpier. Either way, the future is bright. Let’s enjoy the ride and encourage the team.
What are your biggest concerns heading into next season? We’d love to hear them. Drop us a line or check us out on any of the social media platforms listed below. We look forward to hearing from you!
