Panthers Head Coach Frank Reich Names Bryce Young QB1

It only took six weeks for former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young to surpass an NFL veteran and earn first-team reps at practice.

The Carolina Panthers gave No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young first team reps on Thursday. Panthers head coach Frank Reich explained he and his staff are just sticking to his original outline for Young's development as NFL organized team activities (OTAs) wind down and mini-camp opens up next week.

"Bryce is taking the snaps with the ones this week," Reich said after practice Thursday. "That was something that at the beginning, Scott (Fitterer) and I kind of earmarked a time that we thought would be best. Kind of mapping it out, talking it through with the staff. At the beginning of the offseason this was kind of the time that we had marked, this week, to move him up. It's just the next step, right?"

Young was drafted with the first overall selection in this past April's NFL Draft, but the Carolina coaching staff insisted that veteran quarterback Andy Dalton was entering the season as the starter.

The former Heisman Trophy winner observed Dalton and Matt Corral over the last few weeks and now Reich and company feel he is ready to lead the offense in mini-camp.

As Young takes first-team reps he will have a Crimson connection as the Panthers sport former Alabama lineman Bradley Bozeman as the starting center.

Reich told the media that this move doesn't guarantee Young the start against Atlanta on Sept. 10, however the former Alabama quarterback is right on schedule with his development to this point.

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