2023 NFL Draft Profile: Alabama Defensive Lineman Byron Young

BamaCentral is taking a long look at each of the Crimson Tide's 15 football prospects who could hear their names called during the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City on April 27-29.

Here's the thing about Alabama football defensive lineman Byron Young that may be a little tricky this weekend: There's another Byron Young in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Both are usually listed as being a defensive lineman, but that's about where the similarities end. 

Byron Young from Alabama was a four-year contributor for the Crimson Tide out of the state of Mississippi (Laurel to be specific). Primarily used as a run-stopper, he was credited with 48 tackles last season, including 5.5 for loss and four sacks, to go with six quarterback pressures, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.

He was named a second team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, and All-SEC by the Associated Press. He's also very dependable, having played in 54 career games during his time in Tuscaloosa. 

Byron Young the edge rusher played two seasons at Tennessee after transferring in from Georgia Military College (and originally hails from South Carolina). He really blossomed with the Volunteers last year, notching 83 tackles, including 23.5 for a loss and 12.5 sacks, en route to being named All0-SEC. 

Most mock drafts have Young, the Rocky Top version, going anywhere from the second to fourth rounds. 

The "Yea, Alabama" version is probably looking at being a Day 3 selection. 

So when you hear Bryon Young's name called out as a selection, make sure of which Byron Young it is. It's not out of the realm of possibilities that they could go back-to-back, giving the draft a very rare run on defensive lineman named Byron Young. 

Alabama Defensive Lineman Byron Young

NFL Combine/Workout Details

Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

No. 47
Position: Interior Defensive Lineman 
Height: 6033
Weight: 294
Hand: 1100
Arm: 3438
Wing: 8118
DOB: 11/10/2000
Hometown: Laurel, Miss.
High School: West Jones

Vertical Jump: 26’’
Broad Jump: 9’0’’
3-Cone Drill: 7.68 Seconds
Bench Press: 24 Reps

What They're Saying About Byron Young

Alabama Athletics

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: "Interior defensive lineman with the play traits and versatility to align in odd or even fronts. Young has decent length and is well-schooled at attacking blocks with good technical savvy. He’s much better as a read-react defender than a one-gapper and must win with power and balance over quickness. He’s likely to fit into a rotational role early on but could develop into an average starter down the road."

NFL Draft Bible: "Byron Young has ideal size and shape for an interior defensive lineman. Young lined up across the defensive line at Alabama, but due to his limitations as an athlete he will need to line up inside at the next level. With a strong lower body and a wide and strong upper body, Young is effective versus inside zone and power runs. Against the run, he uses his heavy hands, leg strength, and arm length to maintain leverage at the point of attack and hold his gap. When going against double teams, Young demonstrates the ability to either anchor and hold his ground or split the blockers putting pressure on the runner trying to escape the backfield. On outside zone plays, Young struggles to move laterally due to slow foot speed and overall agility to keep up while keeping square to the line of scrimmage. Against the pass, he does not possess a quick first step off the snap or quick hands to counter when engaged with the blocker. Young lacks the hip fluidity and bend to rush the passer from the edge and should be used as the occupier on stunts."

BamaCentral Analysis

Alabama Athletics

The other Byron Young is probably going to be selected first in the draft as he plays a position that has higher value, but Alabama's Young should be a solid, consistent contributor who may not be an every-down player at the next level, but can still be a defensive rock up front. 

Projection: Fourth Round 

Alabama Athletics

This is the 15th, and last, story in an annual series profiling Alabama football players available in the upcoming NFL draft. Position rank by NFL Draft Bible"

Edge rusher/Linebacker, No. 1: Will Anderson Jr.

Safety, No. 7: Jordan Battle

Safety/Star, No. 1: Brian Branch

Defensive tackle, No. 18: DJ Dale

Guard/Offensive lineman, No. 5: Emil Ekiyor Jr.

Running Back, No. 2: Jahmyr Gibbs

Safety/Defensive back, No. 18: DeMarcco Hellams

Tight End, No. 9: Cameron Latu

Offensive lineman/Guard, No. 39: Kendall Randolph

Cornerback, No. 23: Eli Ricks

Tackle, No. 9: Tyler Steen

Henry To'oTo'o, Linebackers: No. 6

Bryce Young, Quarterback: No. 1 

Byron Young, Defensive lineman: No. 14 

The Complete Alabama Crimson Tide in the NFL Database

All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL

Former Alabama Crimson Tide Players Selected in the NFL Draft