Panthers QB Bryce Young found the perfect way to spend his week off while staying right in the middle of the national spotlight
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young leads the NFL in passing yards heading into the bye week, and his week off comes with real rivalry history and a reunion worth watching.
The Carolina Panthers are on their bye week after a 2-2 start to the season, but quarterback Bryce Young won’t spend all of it resting up in Charlotte.
Young is heading back to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to serve as the celebrity guest picker for ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday ahead of the Alabama Crimson Tide’s massive matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs.
ESPN’s Pat McAfee announced the news Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show. The timing couldn’t be better for Young or the Panthers.
“I’m excited,” Young said. “I’m trying to do my research (on other CFB teams) and figure stuff out. But, it’s always fun to watch so to be able to be a part of it is definitely a blessing.”
Bryce Young is the perfect fit for this selection going into this rivalry game
It’s easy to see why ESPN wanted Young at the desk for this one. Not only does the GameDay appearance line up with Carolina’s bye week, but Young is also one of the most notable players when it comes to Alabama’s recent history against Georgia.
Looking back at his Heisman-winning season in 2021, Young faced the Bulldogs twice. The first meeting came in the SEC Championship Game in December, when Alabama rolled to a 41-24 victory. Just over a month later, the two teams met again in the National Championship Game. That time though, Stetson Bennett led Georgia to a 33-18 win over Young and the Crimson Tide.
That loss was Young’s only shot at a national title, and he wasn’t able to get the job done against Georgia. Still, he went on to become the first overall pick of the Panthers. Now, he’s in the midst of his best season as a pro.
Young is playing at an MVP level through the first four weeks of the NFL regular season. He leads the league with 1,268 passing yards, and he’s coming off another strong showing in prime time on Sunday Night Football in Week 4.
“He’s settled in very nicely with Dave Canales and seems to really have a feel right now right in the thick of things in the NFC South and has a chance to get to the postseason again,” Kirk Herbstreit said on The Pat McAfee Show. “… That’s a stock to buy right now and it’ll be great to catch up with him. One of the class acts that’s ever played at Alabama, can’t wait to see him.”
Few players better represent what this rivalry means to both of these SEC powerhouses. Saturday gives Young a chance to show off his personality and get in front of the camera in a new way, ahead of one of the biggest games on the college football calendar.
Young won’t be the only familiar Alabama face on set. He’ll be joined at the desk by his former head coach, Nick Saban, who serves as a recurring analyst on College GameDay.
Saban coached Young throughout his time in Tuscaloosa, including that 2021 run against Georgia. It’ll be fun to see the two of them chopping it up together again before kickoff.
Business as usual once the bye week ends
Once Saturday wraps up, it’s back to business for Young and the Panthers.
Having an early bye week comes with a cost. Carolina now faces a tough slate and a long push the rest of the way without a break, and the goal is to keep the NFC South title in Charlotte. The Panthers will need their quarterback to keep playing at this kind of level for that to happen with a long-term contract hanging in the balance.
For now, though, this will be a great moment for Young. He gets to head back to Tuscaloosa, reconnect with Saban, and share his picks on the biggest set in college football. It’s a well-earned break for a quarterback who has carried Carolina’s offense through the first month of the regular season.
