Alabama Star 'Would Love' To Land With Commanders in NFL Draft
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Washington Commanders have found great success in the NFL Draft with Alabama Crimson Tide players like Jonathan Allen and more recently with running back Brian Robinson Jr.
This year there's another Alabama prospect who wouldn't mind joining the growing population taking up residence with the Commanders.
"I would love to go there," Crimson Tide defensive line prospect Byron Young said. "I would love to reunite with (Phidarian Mathis)...it would be great to be up there with him...with (Brian Robinson Jr.), Jonathan Allen, (and Daron Payne) all guys who played at Alabama who really set the standard."
Mathis' name was the first mentioned when listing the impressive roster of Alabama players currently wearing Washington burgundy and gold, and there's a reason why.
"He's been the guy who became like a big brother to me," Young said of Mathis. "Every single week I'm calling him, he's calling me asking me how things are going, just giving me advice on what to expect and how to handle everything that's coming my way."
Young - a premium-round prospect - may not have a team yet, but he's already working to get into his rookie season and leaning on those who have had success to prepare.
Crimson Tide players are used to being praised, but the attitude among all who we've interacted with is one of earning it.
Perhaps that's what draws Washington to their players so often.
In 2022 Mathis was lost for the year to a knee injury in Week 1, and Young expects big things from his big brother in the comeback campaign.
Running back Brian Robinson Jr. had the beginning of his rookie season derailed, but came back determined to not let that be an excuse, or be his defining story.
Some people love Alabama football, some hate it, but all have to respect the talent coming out of the program.
And if Young gets his way, Commanders fans are going to get another one to cheer on in this year's NFL Draft.
Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82 and on the Locked On Commanders podcast.
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