Patriots QB Mac Jones Among Bryce Young NFL Draft Mentors

Not too long ago, Bryce Young would perhaps give anything to take snaps against fellow thrower Mac Jones in a game setting. Jones is helping the former realize that goal.

Young is working through the rigors of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, looking to back up the perception that he's the top quarterback prospect available when teams select in April. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner is coming off a sterling career at Alabama, one that ended with Sugar Bowl MVP honors last New Year's Eve.

As Young deals with the trials and tribulations of the NFL draft process, he has had several trusty voices in his ear, including Jones, the current New England Patriot and his former collegiate teammate. Though the two raised de facto aerial civil war in college, competing for the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback spot, Young called out Jones by name when asked whose supporting voices have been the loudest.

“I talked to a good amount of guys to prepare myself as much as I can for the next level and for this process,” Young said, per NESN. “I was talking to Mac earlier this week. He gave me a lot of great advice about how to carry yourself, things that he’s learned from the years there.”

Young is no doubt aware of what Jones can bring to the table: in 2020, the Tide was looking for the successor to the Jalen Hurts/Tua Tagovailoa duology and opened a competition between the freshman Young and the tenured Tuscaloosa backup Jones. The latter won out and oversaw a 15-0 season that ended in the national title game. Jones would play that success into a first-round selection at the ensuing NFL Draft, landing in the Patriots' grasp at 15th overall. Young took over the following collegiate season and is expected to be off the draft board early come spring.

Though it's highly unlikely that the Patriots use their opening pick on Young ... who will likely be gone by the time they select at No. 14 overall ... the Alabama thrower has been highly complimentary of the team's recent-minted offensive personnel, praising both Jones and new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, who held the same role with the Tide during Young's two seasons of offensive command.

“I loved OB,” Young said. “They’re getting a great play-caller, great football mind. He helped me a lot to develop and grow and really come into my own. He helped me in a lot more ways than people know. So, I love OB. Definitely, I know he’s gonna do great things up there.”

The 2023 NFL Draft will be held on April 27-29 in Kansas City.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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