Carolina Panthers Head Coach Frank Reich Officially Names Bryce Young as Starter

Is Alabama developing a reputation as "QBU?" An argument can certainly be made, with the Crimson Tide now having four signal callers as starters in the NFL.

Wyatt Fulton | Jul 26, 2023

Carolina Panthers Head Coach Frank Reich Officially Names Bryce Young as Starter /

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Alabama Crimson Tide

It's a new NFL season! All 32 teams have officially reported to training camp, signaling the arrival of the new NFL season. Alabama currently has 87 players listed in the NFL, that's including injuries, suspensions, unsigned players, etc., the most of any college or university in the country. Four of the 87 are former Crimson Tide signal callers.

It's no secret that Alabama revolutionized its offense in the mid-2010s, shifting its philosophy to fit the modern passing offense. Jalen Hurts was the first of the four, accumulating 9,477 passing yards, 3,274 rushing yards, and 124 total touchdowns in college, including his senior year at Oklahoma. Hurts was also a Heisman finalist in 2019 before being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Jalen Hurts left Alabama, in part, due to the takeover of Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa's true debut came in the 2018 national championship game, where he took over as the starter after halftime, leading Alabama to an overtime comeback win against Georgia to secure the school's 17th title. Tagovailoa had 7,442 passing yards, 340 rushing yards, and 96 total touchdowns. Tua was selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. Tua was also a Heisman finalist in 2018.

Mac Jones was the successor to the Crimson Tide offense after Tua's departure. Jones had 6126 passing yards, 42 rushing yards, and 58 total touchdowns in his time at Alabama. Jones was a Heisman finalist in 2020, with teammate DeVonta Smith winning it that year, before he was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Bryce Young took the reigns after Jones and continued the longstanding success of his three predecessors. Young had 8,356 passing yards, 162 rushing yards, and 87 total yards. Bryce Young was the first Alabama quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy, winning it in 2021. Young was then drafted first overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 NFL draft.

Tua Tagovailoa was the first of the four to be named an NFL starter, taking over in week eight of his 2020 rookie season for the Dolphins. Jalen Hurts was the second, being named the Eagles starter ahead of his sophomore season in 2021. Mac Jones followed, being named the Patriots starting quarterback ahead of week one in his 2022 rookie season.

Now, Bryce Young follows suit, with Panthers head coach Frank Reich naming Young as Carolina's starter during training camp.

In a media appearance ahead of the Panthers training camp, Reich was asked about Bryce Young's role on this year's team. Rech left no doubt in his response:

“Yes, he’s QB 1.” - Frank Reich on Bryce Young’s role. #Panthers
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) July 26, 2023

Bryce Young is projected to be the youngest starter in Panthers franchise history, taking the record from Cam Newton, who's held it since his first game in 2011. Young is poised for a good year in Carolina, with the Panthers adding receivers Adam Theilen, Jonathan Mingo, and DJ Chark to their arsenal.

Bryce Young will make his NFL debut on Sept. 10th. He will travel to a familiar stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta.. The Panthers will take on the Falcons at noon CT.

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