Bryce Young Returns to Alabama as Offseason Mentor, Offering NFL Experience and Leadership to Crimson Tide Quarterbacks

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — When Bryce Young left Alabama after the 2022 season, he did so as one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Crimson Tide history. A Heisman Trophy winner, a No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, and a beloved leader in Tuscaloosa, Young had seemingly closed the chapter on his college career. But this offseason, he’s back—not to suit up, but to guide. In a surprise return that has energized Alabama’s quarterback room, Bryce Young is mentoring the next wave of Crimson Tide signal-callers, providing a rare infusion of NFL wisdom and leadership during a pivotal transitional period for the program.

A Familiar Face with a New Purpose

For Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, who is entering his second season at the helm, Young’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. The quarterback position remains one of the most scrutinized and uncertain units on the team, with a crowded competition brewing among several talented—but unproven—options.

“Bryce didn’t come back for the spotlight,” DeBoer said. “He came back because he cares about this place. He wants to help. When a guy with his resume walks into the room, everyone listens.”

Young, who just completed his rookie season with the Carolina Panthers, has taken time this offseason to train in Tuscaloosa, meet with quarterbacks, and even sit in on team meetings. While the NCAA restricts formal coaching duties for alumni, Young has found a meaningful, hands-on role through mentorship.

“I’m not here to tell them how to throw a football,” Young said with a smile. “They already have that talent. I’m here to help them think like professionals, understand the process, and keep perspective when the pressure rises.”

Lessons from the NFL Trenches

Young’s rookie season in the NFL was filled with challenges. Playing behind a struggling offensive line with limited weapons in Carolina, he endured growing pains common for first-year quarterbacks. But instead of retreating in the offseason, he’s using that adversity to sharpen his leadership and pay it forward.

“The league humbles you fast,” Young admitted. “You learn the importance of preparation, patience, and mental toughness. Those lessons translate, whether you’re in the NFL or at Alabama fighting for a starting spot.”

Young has been candid with Alabama quarterbacks about his own transition. He’s opened up about the speed of the game at the next level, the need for film discipline, and how to carry oneself in the locker room and media spotlight.

“It’s not just about what happens on the field,” said redshirt sophomore Ty Simpson, one of the frontrunners in Alabama’s quarterback battle. “Bryce is showing us how to be the face of a team—how to lead with consistency, communicate clearly, and stay level-headed.”

Quarterback Room Energized

The Alabama quarterback competition includes Ty Simpson, former Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner, true sophomore Dylan Lonergan, and true freshman Keelon Russell, one of the nation’s top high school signal-callers. The competition has been fierce, but with Young in the mix as a mentor, it’s also become more collaborative.

“Bryce is someone we all grew up watching,” said Russell. “Having him in our ear, even for a few months, is like having a cheat code.”

Simpson added that Young has made it clear there’s no magic formula—just relentless attention to detail. “He talks about knowing protections, reading fronts, and timing,” Simpson said. “He told me the best throws he made at Bama were the ones he saw two plays ahead.”

Lonergan echoed that sentiment. “He’s helped me slow the game down. Bryce always talks about processing—the mental side. That’s what separates the great ones.”

Building a Legacy Beyond Stats

Bryce Young finished his Alabama career with 8,356 passing yards, 80 touchdowns, and only 12 interceptions. He won the 2021 Heisman Trophy and led Alabama to the College Football Playoff twice. But his impact off the field is arguably what made him a true Crimson Tide legend.

“Bryce wasn’t loud, but he was always in control,” said former teammate Will Anderson Jr., now with the Houston Texans. “He made us believe, no matter the situation.”

That belief is now being instilled in a new generation. Young has been spotted throwing with quarterbacks before spring practices, running film sessions in the evenings, and even grabbing dinner with players to talk about leadership.

“He’s like a big brother,” said Buchner. “He’s not trying to coach us—he’s just sharing what worked for him, what didn’t, and how to keep growing.”

DeBoer’s Approval and a Program Shift

Kalen DeBoer, who led Washington to the College Football Playoff before taking over in Tuscaloosa, has been outspoken about building a player-driven culture. Young’s return reinforces that message.

“One of the pillars of our program is passing down knowledge,” DeBoer said. “When you have alumni like Bryce willing to give their time, it elevates everything. It’s not about X’s and O’s—it’s about culture, identity, and belief.”

DeBoer said he hopes to establish a long-term precedent, encouraging former players to stay connected, especially quarterbacks.

“Bryce set the gold standard,” DeBoer said. “Now he’s helping others chase it.”

The Alabama Standard

Alabama has always prided itself on “The Process,” a culture instilled by Nick Saban that emphasized discipline, focus, and long-term development. Though DeBoer brings a new style, he’s kept much of that structure intact—and Young has been instrumental in bridging the eras.

“Coach Saban gave me the blueprint,” Young said. “Coach DeBoer is adding his own flavor, but the expectation here hasn’t changed. It’s still about excellence.”

Young emphasized that while times and coaches change, the essence of Alabama football endures. “It’s still about competing every day, earning everything, and lifting each other up,” he said.

A Broader Vision

Young’s return isn’t just about quarterbacks. He’s met with offensive linemen, receivers, and even defensive players. He’s held team-wide talks about the jump from college to the NFL, NIL pressures, and the importance of professionalism.

“You look at NIL, the transfer portal—it’s a different world now,” Young said. “But the core values don’t change. If you’re not grounded, all that noise can throw you off.”

Several Alabama staffers said Young’s visit has helped stabilize and inspire a locker room that’s still adjusting to post-Saban life.

“He didn’t have to come back,” one assistant coach said. “But he did—and the impact has been immediate.”

A Model for Future Alumni

Young’s offseason presence could set a new trend for elite college programs. In an era where NFL rookies often disappear from their college roots, Young is showing how alumni can stay engaged without disrupting a program’s flow.

“Guys like Bryce can change the trajectory of younger players,” DeBoer said. “He’s showing them what’s possible—but also what it takes.”

Young’s humility and accessibility have made him a natural bridge between coaches and players, especially as Alabama recalibrates under DeBoer.

“There’s a difference between coaching and relating,” said former Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. “Bryce does both, without trying to be anything other than himself.”

Life Beyond the Game

While Young is focused on his NFL future with the Panthers, he’s also been clear that giving back is part of his long-term plan.

“I want to be more than a football player,” he said. “If I can help these guys avoid a few mistakes, or unlock something in their game, then I’ve done my job.”

He’s even hinted at a possible future in coaching or broadcasting after his playing days, though he insists he’s nowhere near done competing at the pro level.

“For now, I’m focused on Year 2 in Carolina,” Young said. “But Alabama will always be home.”

What It Means for 2025

Alabama’s 2025 season hinges largely on quarterback play. With questions still swirling about who will win the job, Young’s mentorship could provide clarity—not in choosing the starter, but in sharpening every contender.

“Sometimes it’s not about who’s most talented—it’s about who’s most prepared,” Young said. “If I can help raise their floor, the ceiling takes care of itself.”

The 2025 schedule is brutal, featuring early matchups against Georgia, Texas A&M, and LSU. DeBoer knows that quarterback stability is key, and Young’s offseason work may prove invaluable.

“Bryce isn’t just helping us win in August,” DeBoer said. “He’s helping us win in November.”

Bryce Young’s return to Alabama is more than a feel-good story—it’s a case study in leadership, humility, and the evolving nature of college football. In an age where players often leave and never look back, Young’s decision to invest in his alma mater underscores the depth of his character and the strength of Alabama’s culture.

He’s not wearing crimson and white on Saturdays anymore, but his fingerprints are all over the Tide’s future.

And maybe, just maybe, one of the quarterbacks he’s mentoring will step into the spotlight this fall—carrying not just Bryce Young’s advice, but his legacy.