Top NFL Draft Pick Bryce Young's Number For Panthers Revealed
By Jason Hall
May 2, 2023
Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, will wear No. 9 in the NFL, the same number he wore in college at the University of Alabama, NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reports.
Panthers second-year quarterback Matt Corral, who wore No. 9 during his rookie season, will switch to No. 2, which he wore during his collegiate career at Ole Miss. Young was selected by the Panthers at No. 1 overall during the first-round of the 2023 NFL Draft last Tuesday (April 27).
The 21-year-old threw for 3,328 yards, 32 touchdowns and five interceptions on 245 of 380 passing during two seasons at Alabama, which included 4,872 yards, 47 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 366 of 547 passing during his Heisman Trophy winning season in 2021.
Bryce Young will wear No.9 with Carolina Panthers, the same number he wore at Alabama.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) May 2, 2023
Matt Corral will switch from 9 to 2, his former college number.
Young had a 6.82 prospect grade and 92 (elite) Next Gen Stats score, according to his NFL.com draft prospect page.
The Panthers, who acquired the No. 1 pick in a trade with the Chicago Bears in March, were long speculated to have favored Young as the top pick. Last month, head coach Frank Reich confirmed that he discussed the pick with general manager Scott Fitterer on Monday (April 24) and the two sides reached "a consensus."
Panthers HC Frank Reich said GM Scott Fitterer went into his office yesterday & asked him his preferred QB to take with No.1 overall pick.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) April 25, 2023
“It was kind of like a proposal. And I said yes. We have a consensus and we are excited.”
Carolina knows the QB who will be their top pick. pic.twitter.com/zhm0AG80Cz
"He came into my office yesterday at some point, and asked the question," Reich said on Tuesday (April 25) via NFL.com. "It was kind of like a proposal of sorts. And I said yes (laughs). There is consensus, and we're excited."
"We'll announce that Thursday at about 8 o'clock," he added.