In reality, there’s a good chance Smart previously watched Bryce Young’s film.
Bryce Young played two seasons of varsity football at Charlotte Christian with current Georgia sophomore defensive back Kyron Jones.
So, it’s possible the Georgia head coach simply failed to notice him as a sophomore and junior because he was still a bit of a klutz.
Growing up, Bryce Young played flag football, basketball, soccer and various other youth sports, delaying tackle football until his freshman year.
“He wanted (me) to wait until I was in high school because he didn’t start playing until he was in high school, either,” Bryce Young said.
At 6-foot-2 and skinny, he spent his first year or so of football searching for a position that suited his skill set.
His first experiment failed.
“Going into sophomore year, me and Bryce were probably the same size and Bryce was playing receiver at the time,” said Fighting Irish freshman wideout Micah Gilbert, who was also Bryce Young’s classmate at Charlotte Christian. “So, he was still growing into himself, all clumsy, just bumping into stuff everywhere he goes, and he’s playing receiver.
“He can’t catch at all. Can’t catch for nothing.”
Shortly thereafter, Bryce Young switched to inside linebacker but, according to his Max Preps profile, only recorded two tackles on varsity during his sophomore campaign.
Then, he hit another growth spurt, shooting a couple of inches past his father’s 6-foot-3 stature. Over the summer, he attended Notre Dame’s Sunday Night Lights camp and worked out with defensive line coach Al Washington.
After the camp, Freeman offered him a scholarship.
By his junior season, Bryce Young had found his position on the gridiron but was still adapting to his accelerated development period.
“He hit 6-5, and we’re like, ‘Yo, what’s going on?’ And then he started playing D-end, and we’re like, ‘Okay, he’s still moving a little weird,'” Gilbert said. “(He) still looked like he was growing into his body.”
That fall, he recorded 92 tackles (6.0 for a loss), 3.0 sacks and 11 hurries in 11 games, a quality season but not the type of numbers to raise his national profile. At season’s end, he remained a three-star recruit by 247Sports.
The following April, he committed to Notre Dame over offers from Penn State, USC, Miami (Fla.) and Stanford. The only SEC offer recorded on his 247Sports recruiting profile came from Tennessee.
Bryce Young stood at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds for his senior season, where he registered 97 tackles (18.0 for a loss), 14.0 sacks and 12 hurries.
Those numbers got him noticed. He was invited to the All-American Bowl and catapulted up the recruiting rankings throughout the fall, finishing the cycle as 247Sports No. 24 overall player and a five-star prospect.
He had finally adjusted to his immense frame and stature.
“When kids are growing, and their muscular control is not catching up with their body when it’s growing at a rapid pace, there’s a little awkwardness at times,” Bryant Young said. “As Bryce got really familiar with his body when he could do physically, getting stronger and, with his frame, being able to control his movement, that’s when you see him really taken off.”
Of course, it was more than that. Bryce Young’s effort was also paying off.
“He worked with his dad a lot,” Gilbert said. “So, the work he put in is what the outcome came of it. Bryce is gonna be the real deal.”
*For more on how Bryant Young trained Bryce Young on the field and in the film room, check out John Brice’s feature on Irish Illustrated:
Bryce Young: A Refined Tornado
Bryce Young, the five-star quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, is poised to make a significant impact on the team’s upcoming game against the Georgia Bulldogs. With his exceptional talent and unwavering work ethic, Young has the potential to lead Notre Dame to victory against a formidable opponent.
Young’s impressive skill set, which includes a strong arm, pinpoint accuracy, and quick decision-making abilities, has already caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. His ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground makes him a versatile threat that opposing defenses struggle to contain.
In addition to his natural talent, Young’s work ethic sets him apart from his peers. Known for his dedication to improving his game through extra practice and film study, Young is constantly striving to be the best version of himself on the field. This commitment to excellence has earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches, who look to him as a leader both on and off the field.
With Young at the helm, Notre Dame has a real chance to combat Georgia’s depth and size. While the Bulldogs may have a physical advantage, Young’s playmaking ability and leadership could be the difference-maker in a close game.
As the Fighting Irish prepare to take on Georgia, fans can rest assured knowing that they have a talented and hard-working quarterback leading the charge. With Bryce Young’s five-star talent and work ethic, Notre Dame has a fighting chance to come out on top against one of the toughest teams in college football.
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- Bryce Young
- Five-star talent
- Work ethic
- Notre Dame football
- Georgia football
- College football
- Depth and size
- NCAA football
- Elite quarterback
- Top recruit
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