Why Alabama’s Bryce Young isn’t participating in NFL Combine drills

Alabama quarterback and 2021 Heisman trophy recipient Bryce Young is in attendance at the 2023 NFL Combine this week, but he has opted against participating in on-field drills.

Instead, his visit will consist of meetings and interviews.

Young is the only quarterback invited who won’t be throwing at the combine. Throwing sessions for quarterback prospects are scheduled for Saturday, March 4.

MORE: NFL Combine invites 2023: Complete list of participants, workout times & more

Why Bryce Young isn’t participating in 2023 NFL Combine drills

Young’s reasons for opting out of on-field drills at the combine are unclear. Young will wait until Alabama’s pro day on March 23 to showcase his physical talent, NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Monday.

MORE: Bryce Young to the Colts? Jim Irsay praises Alabama QB as potential 2023 NFL Draft target

The 21-year-old suffered an AC joint injury in October 2022, forcing him out of the Crimson Tide’s victory over Arkansas, but Rapoport noted that the 21-year-old is “long past” the injury.

Here’s the previous play where Bryce Young landed on his shoulder. pic.twitter.com/01bkHizHmI

— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) October 1, 2022

Young is the only quarterback in Alabama history to throw for 3,000 or more yards in two seasons (2021, 2022). He was named a second-team All-American by Pro Football Focus and USA Today, and he earned All-SEC honors from The Associated Press.

The other top quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft — Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis — will throw at the combine. Pelissero reported that Richardson plans to partake in all drills and testing.