Aaron Rodgers has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL for over a decade now. He’s won four MVP awards, a Super Bowl, and ranks in the top 10 of multiple all-time passing categories. It’s uncertain if a current college quarterback will follow a similar path, but he’s still drawing major comparisons to the reigning back-to-back MVP.
Alabama’s Bryce Young Compared To Aaron Rodgers
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky compared current Alabama quarterback Bryce Young to Aaron Rodgers earlier this week. During the Cheez-It Bowl between Oklahoma and Florida State on Thursday night, Orlovsky made it clear that he sees massive potential for Young.
“I’m such a fan of Bryce Young’s. Probably the favorite guy of mine to watch in college football this season. He actually for me is the closest guy that we have since Aaron Rodgers came out of the draft when it comes to just the natural talent.”
"I'm such a fan of Bryce Young's. Probably the favorite guy of mine to watch in college football this season. He actually for me is the closest guy that we have since Aaron Rodgers came out of the draft when it comes to just the natural talent."- Dan Orlovsky 🏈 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/sc6mKNqLtS
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 29, 2022
Young’s college career has been impressive and is worthy of the comparison. Both Rodgers and Young are fairly mobile quarterbacks who excel inside and outside the pocket.
Bryce Young’s NCAA resume is more impressive than Rodgers’ in just about every way. Young has also won a Heisman Trophy, while Rodgers lacks that accolade. However, success in college doesn’t always translate to the NFL.
In Young’s career at Alabama, he’s thrown for 8,035 yards to go along with 75 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. Young will look to add to those numbers against Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl on Saturday. There was talk of Young not playing in Alabama’s Bowl game due to injury concerns, but he is planning to play in what will be his final college game.
When looking forward to the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young is projected to be the number one overall pick, likely landing with the Houston Texans. Unlike Aaron Rodgers, Young will probably start during his rookie year.
To be compared to Aaron Rodgers is one of the biggest compliments a college quarterback can receive. However, living up to such a flattering comparison is an entirely different story.
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