Bryce Young Credits Mac Jones for Teaching Him How to Be a Mentor

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon, just days away from 2022 A-Day game. During his press conference, he spoke highly about former Alabama and current New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, and how learning from him has helped him become a leader.

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"For me, when Mac was playing my freshman year, I was blessed to have Mac over there talking about why he did this and how he saw this. Honestly, I feel like that was a huge part of my development, and I want to do all I can to emulate that and try to help them as possible because they both have extremely bright futures," said Young.

Jones has been the epitome of a leader since he started at Alabama. This is the same guy who patiently waited behind Jalen Hurts, and Tua Tagovailoa before getting the starting job his senior year. After being drafted by the Patriots, Jones continued the "do your job" mentality by showing up to practice, playing to the best of his ability, and waiting for is talent to speak for itself, which it did. The Patriots announced Jones won the starting quarterback job in late August of 2021 and he led rebuilding group to a 10-7 season and a trip to wild card weekend, where the team lost to the Buffalo Bills.

Young has shown his growth as a leader throughout the season both on and off the field. On the field, for example, was Young taking over the final game-tying drive of the 2021 Iron Bowl. In a hostile away environment, with 1:32 remaining and nothing seeming to go right thus far, Young drove 97 yards down the field with his offense, and eventually won the game 24-22 in a 4OT thriller.

The Heisman winner has a Jones-esque voice and presentation when speaking, with a focused, determined tone. For example, in the national championship post-game interview, Young continuously put the blame on himself, instead of his teammates. Something Jones did during his Tide tenure and still does with the Patriots.

"For the whole quarterback room, it’s kind of a different dynamic this year with me having experience and me being able to pull references and memories back from last season. I really feel like it’s just my job and it’s kind of my duty to try to help those guys and try to share some of the knowledge I gained this last year. And it’s something I enjoy doing," said Young.

Currently, the quarterback room consists of: Bryce Young, Ty Simpson, Blake Jarrett, and Jalen Milroe.