CHARLOTTE – Bryce Young is a Carolina Panther.
The Panthers selected their quarterback of the future with the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft. Young, 21, played college football at Alabama and was coached by Nick Saban before declaring for the draft after his junior season. Here are five things to know about him.
1. Crimson Tide career: Young went 23-4 in two seasons as Alabama's starting quarterback, winning two bowl games and putting up more than 8,300 passing yards with 80 passing touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He added another seven touchdowns on the ground.
Saban praised Young's abilities at his pro day in March, telling NFL Network he was "as good as having a coach on the field."
2. Heisman Trophy winner: Young's college career started with winning college football's highest honor after his sophomore campaign, taking home the Heisman Trophy in 2021. He was the first Alabama quarterback to win the award after passing for 4,872 yards and 47 passing touchdowns against seven interceptions with three rushing touchdowns in his first year as the starter, leading the Southeastern Conference in passing yards and passing touchdowns that season.
He led the Crimson Tide to a 13-2 record that season, including an SEC championship title and College Football Playoff berth. Alabama won its semifinal game against Cincinnati that season and lost to Georgia in the national championship that year.
He's the fifth Heisman winner in Panthers history, joining Vinny Testaverde (1986), Chris Weinke (2000), Cam Newton (2010), and Baker Mayfield (2017).
3. Top prospect in high school: Young was already a highly touted quarterback from Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, Calif.) in 2020. He was given a five-star rating according to the 247Sports Composite and was ranked the No. 1 prospect in the country before he committed to Alabama.
Young earned several accolades in high school, including the Gatorade Player of the Year award for California, High School Quarterback of the Year by the National Quarterback Club, and 2019 All-American Bowl Player of the Year honors.
4. Leaning on faith: Young is often outspoken about his Christian faith on social media, describing himself as a "Follower of Christ" in his Twitter bio and
"I'm based in faith," Young said in an interview with last September with Sports Spectrum. "I'm blessed to have the family that I do that introduced me (to faith) when I was young. Throughout my life, my relationship has grown with the Lord, and my faith has improved. Through that, I work to be the best version of myself that I can be and to embody Christ in all that I do."
5. Family background: Young's parents, Craig and Julie, raised him mainly in Pasadena, California, after he was born in Philadelphia. His father is a mental health therapist, while his mother is a teacher.
Young majored in psychology at Alabama and told Sports Illustrated in an interview that his favorite class was social psychology.
He said it helped him to "self-reflect on how you're processing things socially and also how others perceive things and tend to act socially," calling the lesson "really applicable."
View photos of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, drafted by Carolina first overall in the first round of the 2023 Draft.
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws to a receiver during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs the ball for a long gain during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Alabama won 30-24. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Kansas State, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, left, scrambles away from Auburn defensive end Marcus Bragg (98) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up on the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Alabama won 30-24. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after throwing a pass for a touchdown during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. LSU won 32-31 in overtime. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) calls a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) on the sidelines during a time out against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) works away from pressure from Vanderbilt linebacker Anfernee Orji (0) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs a play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) rolls to the edge against Louisiana-Monroe during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to throw against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to pass against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young warms up for the team's NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) gets ready to run a play against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks down field for a receiver during action against Texas in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Alabama defeated Texas 20-19. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles away from Texas defensive lineman Moro Ojomo (98) and runs for a first down during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Alabama defeated Texas 20-19. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young looks to run during the second half an NCAA college football game against Texas, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Alabama won 20-19. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) communicates with center, Darrian Dalcourt (71) during action against Texas in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Alabama defeated Texas 20-19. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws the ball against Utah State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates against Texas during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass downfield against Texas during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to throw a pass against Cincinnati during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass against Cincinnati during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) works against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Alabama plays Georgia in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 10, 2022.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs for a gain against Cincinnati during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, front right, runs with the ball against Utah State defensive lineman Hale Motu'apuaka (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during warm ups before the start of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. Alabama is No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25 for the second straight season. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs with the ball during the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to throw against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after defeating Auburn in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs against Georgia during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks for a receiver against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts after throwing a touchdown to tie the game in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, file)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes in the pocket against Georgia during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) carries the ball against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts as he walks to the line for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Southern Mississippi, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
