Bryce Younger named his proudest Alabama sport, and it exhibits why he’s a prime NFL Draft QB

In a single particular method, NFL draft prospects are similar to these of us on the surface evaluating their traits.

They, like we, have our favourite video games to look at for every of them.

For Alabama quarterback Bryce Younger, the query of what sport he’s proudest of has a simple reply. Auburn, within the Iron Bowl, in the course of the 2021-2022 season.

Requested on the NFL Draft Mix about which sport of his was one of the best to indicate off his model of play, Younger was fast to invoke that Iron Bowl conflict, which the Crimson Tide gained in additional time. “One sport I’m happy with was the Auburn sport my junior 12 months. We satisfaction ourselves on the College of Alabama a lot in that sport, the Iron Bowl. That’s one thing that’s so large for us a college. Going into additional time and for us to indicate that combat in a sport meaning a lot is one thing I’m extraordinarily happy with.”

Revisiting that sport, nonetheless, illustrates most of the traits which have NFL groups salivating at his potential, no matter what occurs when he steps on the size right here in Indianapolis. Younger accomplished simply 25 of 51 passes in that sport, for 317 yards and a pair of touchdowns — together with an interception — but it surely was how Younger and the Crimson Tide battled that impressed the quarterback.

And a few moments from that sport are value revisiting as Younger stands on the cusp of the first-overall choice.

For instance, there was this play from early within the sport, with the Crimson Tide backed up deep in their very own territory. Dealing with third and 18 on their very own 7-yard line, Younger slid to his left to keep away from the frenzy, whereas preserving his eyes downfield. He discovered Jameson Williams late within the play for an enormous acquire to maneuver the chains:

Within the fourth quarter, nonetheless, is when the legend of Younger at Alabama actually started to take form. With the Crimson Tide trailing by seven — and their season maybe hanging within the stability — Younger delivered on various crucial throws to tug Alabama again.

Right here, with Alabama dealing with a third and a pair of with underneath 4 minutes to go, Younger initially needs to work a high-low idea on the left facet of the sector. However with stress constructing instantly off that edge, the QB flushes to the appropriate, whereas preserving his eyes downfield. He is ready to discover John Metchie III crossing the sector with him to maneuver the chains:

Nonetheless, the Tigers stopped Alabama at midfield on fourth down a couple of performs later, and when the Crimson Tide bought the soccer again, they wanted to cowl almost the size of the sector with underneath two minutes remaining.

The primary large play on this game-tying drive? Once more, Younger shopping for time within the pocket earlier than discovering Metchie over the center, late within the down:

A couple of performs later, Younger bought Alabama into Auburn territory with this perfectly-placed throw on a nook route:

What stands out about this throw is the timing, the rhythm, and the anticipation. Auburn exhibits two-deep safeties early within the pre-snap section, however proper earlier than the play begins they stroll a type of two safeties down into the field. Younger deciphers the protection completely, after which begins his throw on the nook route properly earlier than the receiver makes his break. The end result? A giant acquire, and life for the Crimson Tide.

Younger capped off that 97-yard drive with this strike to tie the sport, and power additional time:

It is a lengthy throw, from the left hashmark to the appropriate sideline, approaching a 3rd down with the season on the road.

And Younger places it within the good spot.

There are a selection of causes that groups and evaluators might have Younger on the prime of their draft boards. When revisiting his profession, and his favourite sport specifically, you see a lot of these causes come to life. From his skill to increase performs, his skill to throw on the transfer, his skill to decipher a protection together with his thoughts, and his skill to return via when his crew wanted him essentially the most, Younger delivered on that afternoon within the Iron Bowl.

A sport, and an effort, that would now ship him to the highest of the draft.