Bryce Young made a great first impression in his first moves with the Carolina Panthers.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft appeared at rookie minicamp and took the field for his first practice. The former Alabama Crimson Tide star wowed the coaches, including head coach Frank Reich. Reich noted on Young’s first moves as the Panthers QB, “Mentally and physically looked the part in every way,” as Augusta Stone wrote.
Panthers HC Frank Reich says QB Bryce Young, in his first practice at rookie minicamp today, "mentally and physically looked the part in every way."
— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) May 12, 2023
It’s just a rookie minicamp, but it’s a step forward for Young as his NFL career begins. The top pick in this year’s draft was selected over elite prospect C.J. Stroud of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Young is the second quarterback in recent memory that the Panthers drafted No. 1 overall. In 2011, Carolina selected Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton as the top pick. Newton went on to win the MVP award in 2015 and led the Panthers to their second Super Bowl appearance. He quickly became a sensation, and although “controversial,” he was excellent at his peak.
While nobody is comparing Newton to Bryce Young, or vice versa, the game plan for Carolina will hopefully go similarly. They will be short a big weapon for Young as they traded D.J. Moore to Chicago for the top choice in the draft. But they’ve done a solid job surrounding him with talents with some vital free-agent signings.
