October 26, 2021 • 28 mins
In this episode of the Bryce Young Podcast, Bryce is joined by former National Championship QV Greg McElroy. They discuss how Nick Saban has changed, what advice Greg has for Bryce and which Alabama team is the best of all time.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
The volume. Brilliant drive by Bryce Ya. You see the
elusiveness would be a bright never hurry doesn't have happy feet.
(00:28):
Six fires here. Awareness, understanding recognition, awareness, understanding recognition. That
kid is good, that kid is good, That kid is good,
that kid is good. All right, what's up everybody? And
welcome to another edition of the Bryce Young Podcast. Have
(00:51):
a very special guest. I'm surrounded by by big time
Alabama quarterbacks. Greg McElroy from the SEC network everywhere all
over cover in college football is joining us as well.
I want to bring both you guys in. Greg. First,
you appreciate you joining us tonight. No appreciate you guys
having me. I. You used an adjective there that I
really appreciate. You said big time. I think only one
of the two of us a big time. I don't
(01:14):
know if I still characterize as a big time quarterback
after the role that they've had the last few years. Man,
they're on a roll for sure. Well that's a great segue.
Let's bring Bryce Young coming off a fresh win against
rival Tennessee at home. Bryce another week, It's great to
join you, man, and and now we have an extra
quarterback in here, and let's chop it up a little
bit for sure. Well, Greg, I want to start with you,
my friend, and and it's cool watching Bryce Bryce's career
(01:38):
play out watch do you play as well? Kind of
seeing how offensive you know, mindsets and play calling is
continuing to evolve as it normally doesn't college football. But
what do you think is the biggest difference between Alabama
when you played football there as opposed to now when
Bryce is there? Is it the offensive system and kind
of the way it's evolved. Probably, I mean I would say,
(01:59):
obviously you're going to run an offense that suits what
the quarterback does well now. And I mean obviously Bryce
and Mac and Tu and Jalen they all ran different
variations of very similar systems, right, even Jake Coker and
and Blake Sends before that. So the offense is changing
awful lot. But one thing I've noticed though, is I
mean coach Saban just treats it differently. I mean, yeah,
(02:21):
it's still very important manufacturing big plays, take care of
the football. But with us Bryce, I mean it was
literally like don't you even dare try it? Like don't
even think about it, Like that there's a receiver within
three yards of that guy, don't throw it, you know,
So it's uh, it's just different how he's now very comfortable,
Hey man, take the risk, like, just throw it, shoot
(02:41):
your shot. If you miss it, your Carris, We'll get
you another one. Still doesn't want you to be reckless,
but at the same time, very much empowering the quarterback.
So it's pretty awesome to watch. And it's obviously these
guys are all super talented too, so it's been really
fun to watch as a Bama fan and someone that's
covering the sport. Yeah, Bryce, how is it the freedom
of playing in the off sense now and and the
way you know, you guys are able to be so
(03:02):
multiple We saw it against Tennessee as well. You can
go heavy when you need to, you can go light
when you need to, sprinkle it out the empty. It's
gotta be fun playing in something where you can do
so many different things. Yeah, definitely. I think we we
kind of pride ourselves and being multiple and having options
and um, you know that confidence, that trust that you
know we build throughout practicing and throughout reps in the
off season. Um, but building that with with coach Saban,
(03:25):
building that with coach O'Brien, building out with everyone. Um,
you know, it's important and it means a lot knowing
that you kind of have the support in the trust
of your coaches because um, you know, as um, you know,
as we both know it, it's a lot easier when
there's a you know, when there's coaches that believe in
you know, players around that believe in you. You know,
you have those reps log and you've had those conversations.
You know what you're expected to do, you know what
(03:46):
you're supposed to do, and you know what you're kind of, um,
you know what kind of freedom you have, so um,
you know you work to kind of earn that throughout
the off season and um, you know, the supporter of
the people around me, you know, makes makes my job
a lot easier. M And you know, Greg, I kind
of want both of your thoughts here and and really
you know y'all y'all have been a part of it.
You've been a part of it with Coach Saban in
(04:06):
the process bryce you're going through it right now. Do
you think it's something that that is just Nick Saban
specific or Coach Saban specific to to phrase it better,
is it's something that you think as we watch some
of these other coaches that are out in the space now,
is it's something that's transferable to other programs, is really
what I'm asking And Greg, if you don't mind, I'll
start with you. Yeah, I mean, I think it's it's
(04:28):
everyone tries to replicate it, right, but the way that
the process has now been implemented, I mean, it's fifteen
years in the making. It's crazy how long it's been.
But I think what's amazing is it's really a pretty
for the most parts player lead. I mean some some
years more than others, right, I mean, Princes bryceon your
team now is is pretty young. But there's a lot
(04:48):
of strong leadership. There's a lot of strong personalities. Sometimes
it's hard to talk up and speak up when you
haven't really played a whole lot, but that comes with time.
And I think that, um, it's not that it doesn't
come as natural because I think when you sign up
to play at Alabama, the expectation is pretty simple. It's like,
can you either get in line or you're out. Like
(05:09):
every player knows that, every coach knows that you're either
gonna do it at the highest level possible and you're
gonna help us win championships or we don't want anything
to do with you. That's kind of just the way
it was. UM. It took some time, and we didn't
necessarily have the roster turnover that you have now with
the freedom of transfer and and all the other stuff.
But it's it's it's definitely amazing to watch now from
(05:30):
a distance and might go everywhere and bryce like you've
had one college experience that you've been Obama. But I
think as you venture out and you get in the
league and you talk to other guys, you realize just
how different it really is. You think everyone's kind of
the same, it's not. It's amazing how different every place
really is. UM and the place that is the most
consistent for the last twelve years is Alabama. And there's
it's a reason why. I mean, they just expect. They
(05:53):
expect every player, every coach, every person that walks in
that building has a certain expectation level and it never
drops off. It's it's honestly, it's amazing to be around. Yeah,
but I's I'll let you speak on that too. You know,
it's funny we call it the process now, Greg, I'm
trying to remember if it was called the process when
you were playing, or if it was just hey, that's
Nick Saban, but you know under the process, right, yeah,
(06:16):
exactly exactly, and to kind of build off that, it's
you know, it's a plan that in theory. You know, UM,
you know, I think we're probably translating into something that's
that's often you know, trying to be replicated. But UM,
you know, with with coach Saban, you know what you're getting.
He does such a great job with us and has
been um as you know, as laying that process down
and laying that plan down, and you know for us
(06:38):
now and you know, at this time and at this age, UM,
it starts even as your recruit. You know, even even
before um even step on you know, you step on
campus and you sign, you kind of you kind of
know about it and you kind of understand, um, a
little bit of what Alabama's processes. And then as you
start to um, you know, really really talk to the
coaches and understand what it is. And then once you
buy into it and you commit to it, and you
(07:00):
you know, you get into it, you start to learn
more and understand exactly just how much it will it
will benefit you and the sacrifice the necessary and you see,
you get to hear kind of the testimonies of all
the other players, and you understand it more and more.
But um, now I think, you know, coach Saban has
been so successful and and and taught all of this
so well to where you, um, you know when you
think of Alabama football, that's kind of um, you know
(07:21):
at least what I what I thought when I first
started to even belue it as a recruit. And then
when you're in it, um, you know, you you understand,
and you you start to really buy into it. And
then now you know completely being in it, um, you
see the benefits and you see you know, the people
around you, You get to compare, you know, kind of
everyone going through a similar journey, and um, we all
know that, you know, we we become better because of it. Yeah,
(07:42):
And then I think it's cool how Gregg talked about
the periphery too. When you get outside and you start
seeing other places as well. But you know, you guys
brought up something in player accountability and and we talk
about the show all the time, Greg, I know you do.
And Bryce. It's something that's preached there. The best teams
or player lead, the best locker rooms are policed by
the players, do you think that? And the standard is
is the thing that that one of the main things
(08:03):
that would you you would say to find Alabama success
over this run that we've seen. Either one of you
can answer it, but to me, that's got to stand
about as tall as anything else that goes on. But
I haven't been in there. I haven't been in the process.
So you guys know more than me. Yeah, I I
definitely say that's that's you know, that's one of the
biggest things that UM. You know that we know it's
(08:25):
attributed to the success of the past that standards and
us buying into and us believing in it and us
working and that's something now current day that we UM
you know, we know we have to reach and we
have to strive for each and every day. So that's
a challenge for us UM now that you know, when
we look back and we see, like you said, the
success of the teams, we know why and we we
understand why. And it's it's the commitments, the standard, it's
(08:46):
everyone buying into it and and and and really pushing
themselves to reach the Abama standard. That's something now as
a team that we you know that we understand we
have to work for and strive for, and that's something
that we're um, you know that we're trying to reach
every single data you know eventually, Sure, Greg, what do
you think you know? I think I think it's cool.
What Bryce said is like there's no false impressions, right,
(09:10):
like like anyone like Bryce was Bryce howelld are you yes? Alright?
So I remember those days. I remember Bryce is twenty
years old, alright, So he was eight years old when
I was playing. It was six years old when Coach
Savan got to Tuscaloosa. Like all he knows is Alabama's dominance,
(09:33):
like he's seen it from afar. He's been a part
of it now. And when you're going through the recruiting
process and you go see all these different places, like
you know what it's going to be like when you
sign up to play at Alabama, Like you know it's
gonna be difficult, you know it's gonna be high expectations.
You know you're gonna win. Like that's when it comes
down to, I mean, you know what you're gonna get into.
I think it's and I think that's what's cool about
(09:55):
this generation of players is that there's nothing there's no
false pretend you're not sell hope, you know, And I
think that's what's different. Like when we were in it,
it was all about, hey, if if we do the
right thing, man, we hope it will work out. Like
I don't know if it will, but let's try, you
know what I mean. Now you know that if you
do the right thing, Look what's happened in the last
(10:18):
twelve years, Like, you're gonna get the same result if
you just do this and trust us and follow our lead.
So it's kind of just cool to see it continue
and be elevated to even a level that even us
as players and players have had success, even to a
level that we didn't expect. I mean, it's it's just remarkable,
and it's test with the guys that sign up. No
(10:38):
one's gonna be hard because there's other places too. They're like, oh,
you're not gonna have fun if you sign up to
play it all about it's gonna be it's gonna be
too hard and you're not gonna enjoy yourself. Yeah, well,
I mean, last time I checked winnings fun it's the funnest,
it's the fun. That's That's the way I'll look at it.
Anything that's worth doing is supposed to be difficult, So
I think it's cool that the players knew what they
were signing up for. It As a result, now they're
(10:58):
obviously getting the opportunity chase everything that they wanted to
don't chase, and every class is winn a ring since
Nick Saban's got that's insane. I've seen some crazy stats.
Joe DiMaggio got a lot of hits, but that's a
crazy stat. I mean, one one ring for every class
in today's college football world. But you know, Greg, you know,
quarterback to quarterback. If you don't mind, I'd love to
(11:19):
find out what advice you would give. Bryce is a
guy that's been in that same the same moment that
he's in and we know closing times towards the end
of the year, as we kind of breached the midway
point of this season. That's the first time I've used
the word verb breach, and forever the last time I
can't remember using that. But what advice would you give
to Bryce about just the end of the year and
and how to go about things, or at least the
(11:40):
experience you had. Well, I mean, I don't have to
give him any advicement. He's been amazing. Like I've been
so proud of him. And I'm not saying that he's
just sitting here. I've said on the air on Saturday,
I've said it on the air last week when we
called the game becaus Mississippi State. I mean, it's just
not very often when you see a young guy that
prepares like he does, and like I'm with quarterbacks every
week and watch quarterbacks every week, and man, there's not
(12:00):
many guys that are as prepared for a game, is
prepared for a pressure, as prepared and knowing where his
answers are whereas blitzpeeders are, and there's just not that
many guys that are doing like you. Man, I think
it's awesome. So I think just keep doing what you're doing.
One thing that I'm just really interesting, Like you're not
from Alabama. Um, obviously you signed up here knowing that
there were big expectations. But I think just the way
that you've the way that you've handled it all, man,
(12:22):
it's freaking hard. Like it's really hard to go out
there and face music after you have a disappointing performance
against Texas a m and you've bounced back. It's been
completely unfaced by it. I think what you've done this
year has been remarkable. Man. I'm just I'm really proud
of you. And there's not a lot of us that
know what it's like to sit in like one of
the most scrutinized positions in the state. But you're handling
(12:45):
it beautifully and just keep doing your thing, man. I
mean nothing that I can teach you at this point.
If anything, I'm learning from you. I appreciate that. That's
the that's love right there. But I do guys, as
we kind of move on, and I great. You know,
a lot of guys try and make the transition from
player to coach, our player to broadcaster. Sometimes it works
(13:08):
out well, sometimes it doesn't. But you've obviously had a
seamless transition, man. And I'm not saying that because you're
sitting right here. I've said it multiple times. You and
Cole Cubicer are two of the best in my opinion.
But what made you decide you wanted to get into
too kind of the broadcasting round because I know you'd
have been a really good coach too. It's but what
kind of made you pick that? You know, It's funny
because it was kind of between the two things. It
was like, I can't give up football, Like, no, I'm
(13:30):
either going to coach, I'm gonna play. Uh And if
you can't play or you can't coach, then I gotta
figure something out. And I wasn't sure what that was
gonna be, but I was excuse. It's kind of that
crossroads got my pension in the league, and then it
was kind of like, A really not that good. I mean,
I gotta keep grinding and I might make a couple
(13:51):
more rosters, like get it to year five or six,
or I can just shut it down right now and
go find something else if it presents itself to me.
So I talk to ESPN at a broadcast agent after
I got out of school and did some stuff, and
I was able to kind of leverage the deal with
ESPN while still being under contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.
(14:11):
So it's kind of an ideal circumstances, perfect setup um
and one that I really don't regret, Like it's the
closest thing to play in coach, and I just feel
like we have a little bit more freedom. You do,
you know you do? You've seen both sides that A yeah,
like I can have a beer on Friday night if
I want one. I mean, no one's gonna stop me.
I guess I could have if I was in school
or Whatno if I guess I could have if I
(14:32):
was in the league too, But I don't know, man,
It's it's just it's been a fun transition. It's it's
a good gig. You get to meet cool people like
Bryce and um there's so many people's stories that like
you hear and you're not you would never have known.
I mean, like, for instance, guys that have just unbelievable
adversity that they've had to overcome, and to be able
to help tell that story, it's been real fulfilling for me.
(14:54):
So I love it. I love what I do, and
being able to go to great games every Saturday's bonus
as well. For sure. Bryce, I know you got a
long playing career ahead of you, man, but you know,
when you get done, it's broadcasting something or coaching something
you look into because we all love the game. We're
addicted to the game. Greg, you said it best. I
can't give up football. I haven't been able to do
it since the first time I flipped it on. Yeah. Yeah,
(15:17):
it's um yeah, just somehow being attached to the game.
Um yeah, I mean, you know, I like to think
of myself is still I'm kind of young. But first sure,
yeah your last name is Bryce. Yeah, no pudding to it,
but um yeah, I definitely couldn't patient myself, um or
imagine myself you know without the game, you know, as
you know, as as manny as it is and how
(15:38):
you know, how time was assuming and everything goes into it.
I couldn't imagine, you know, really a reality without in
some way, shape or form some aspect, you know, the
game being part of my life. So um, you know whatever.
I haven't really put too much thune into it um yet,
but um yeah, but I mean what and I really
couldn't see myself, you know without the game in my life. Yeah, no,
(15:59):
for sure. And it's funny Greg too. Do you prefer
doing and it's it's fun to do all of it,
I know, but but I think me and Bryce would
both like to know do you prefer doing the radio show?
Are like calling games? Are going to the games and
being there live? Like is there one you prefer the most?
Or is it kind of like listen all bad first,
all about third, all that six? It doesn't matter. I'm
gonna get up there and knock some runs in. Yeah,
I mean it's the games man. Like, Yeah, it's not
(16:21):
like it's no different than being a player. We only
get twelve or thirteen or fifteen I think in a
given year, if you include a couple of spring games,
I'll do like seventeen to twenty games. And it's like,
that's what you do it for. Like all this work
and yeah, like talking about the game and radio is awesome.
I love it, but there's nothing better than being up
there walking on the field and seeing, you know, feeling
(16:43):
that energy that you have before the game, like Bryce
and you and everybody that's ever played it, we all
have butterflies. Like even as a broadcaster, even though I'm
not getting hit the dude, I've gotta go out and
like and here, and people are gonna hear my voice.
Millions of people can hear my voice. And that's some
really uncomfortable feeling at first. Now I've gotten used to it,
but remember the first couple times I did, I was
freaking out, like I don't know what the hell I'm doing.
(17:04):
Why are they making this? I'm not this is this
is uncomfortable and the one thing I've learned bryce to
you know, like when you go on the sideline you're
talking on the bed set to Billy, or you're talking
our coach O'Brien or if you're talking to coach Saban,
like you get the chill for for the time to
the defense out there now hopefully for you it's like
three plays, you know, like you get the chilling for
(17:25):
those couple of minutes when I didn't think about as
a broadcaster, I never thought about it. It's like, dude,
you're on when they're on defense and when you're on offense,
like you never had that time off. I was, I
like freaked out the first game. I'm like, dude, hang on,
i gotta talk to the o C for a minute,
Like I'm supposed to be working right now, Like this
is where I'm chilling. So that's that's hilarious that I
(17:47):
would never said something unless you did it and win there,
you would never think about or like understand. But that
that's I didn't even think about it as a player,
Like I just never it never like crossed my mind
until the first game I did. It was like, dude,
I'm supposed to have this series off and it and
you just you don't get that. Yeah, that's true, that's true.
But you know what too, and and Greg, I want
to ask you which Bama team since coach Saban got there.
(18:08):
You you think it's the best. But both of you
guys running out of the tunnel and Briany, Bryce, I
wanna start with you. I guess it hits everybody different,
you know, in a certain way. But tell me the
feeling you get running out of that tunnel into Bryant
Denny going out there to play at home game, because
there's a lot of feelings they're in a lot like those. Yeah, yeah, definitely.
I mean the feeling you get running out you know,
(18:31):
especially our home games where Brian Denny, you know, any
time of the day especially. You know, it's not it's
something you can't replicate. It's it's hard to describe. But
we we have such a great environment, such great fans, um,
you know, in a in a in a great stadium,
and whenever we get to play at home and you know,
we get that on her and you know, you get
to go out there and we're not with your brothers
(18:51):
and it's it's special. So um, you know, every time,
you know, I'm I work on it now, you know,
you're obviously at the time I'm locked in, I'm thinking
about you know whatever, my my you know, my head
where my head has to be. I'm I'm knocking there.
But every once in a while, I've I've tried my best.
I'm not always the best, and I remember to do it,
but I try my best every once in a while,
trying to stop and look around and and and try
(19:13):
to save at the moment, you know, a little bit.
But um, you know, every time we run out, it's always,
you know, the emotions are wild. It's always an amazing feeling. Greg.
I see you smiling over there the people people on
audio camp, but but I can see you with me
about your It's just so cool on this stuff out.
That was awesome, man, I mean, it's so cool to
run out. I mean I remember still and I'm sure
(19:35):
Bryce tess to like running out and he played at
a big high school. I played a big high school.
Like run out in high school, I remember being like
a sixteen year old kid doing it for the first time.
They're fifteen year old kid and do it for the
first time. I was like, this is the coolest thing.
It will never get colder than this, And you'd run
out of that red, white and green dragon helmet and
we'd run through the cheerleaders and run through our sign
(19:55):
like there's nothing cooler than this, and then you go
to Bama. It's like, good lord, yeah, this is ridiculous.
Is the coolest thing ever. I wish I could bottled
this feeling up and think about it forever. Unfortunately, a
lot like Bryce, I didn't like as a starter, I
never got to enjoy it as a backup. I could
soak it up as a Red Shirt players, like oh
(20:17):
this is amazing, yeah, But as a backup, as a starter,
it's like that's the last thing on my mind. So
the last few years in school, I wish I could
have enjoyed it a little bit more when we were better,
you know, and the crowd was more fired. So it was,
but it's pretty neat. I always kind of I don't
know how Bryce feels about this. I always kind of
like running out of tunnel at Way games. But the
(20:38):
booze were just awesome, and just to hear how mad
people were just to see us take the field to
me always made me laugh. I love that part. It
is Bryce, we talked about that. I think on the
first episode asked you what you like better home or away?
And there's some about getting a lot of people going,
but there's some about shutting a lot of people up
to It's kind of like a kind of reverse good feeling.
But Greg, I hit a little bit earlier. And and
(21:00):
you know, I always find this question fascinating because I
don't know if we're ever going to see a run
like we've seen what Nick Saman's been able to pull off,
especially with the way the game is changing. But what
is the best BAMA team or or the BAMA team
that would worry you the most if you were having
to coach against him? Since Nick Saban got there, and
there's so many to choose from. O, come on, two
thousand nine, dude, we would have scored them all. I
(21:23):
all didn't want any part of that. I told Mac
this it is. It is pro day. I'm telling you,
two thousand nine would have smoked them all two touchdowns
at least walk off. No, probably probably. You know, it's
so hard because there's been so many good ones. Is
what what I thought was the best team was two
(21:44):
thousand and eighteen lost badly. The worst loss in the
save A era. Um So if you were to ask me,
if you take out that one game that would have
been the team, it would be almost impossible not to
say last year's team. I mean you just because they
were such a juggernaut on offense. Now, there were obviously
(22:05):
some growing pains on defense, but everybody had growing pains
on defense. Last year it was just COVID not having
weird and having weird practices and have a weird fall
camp and not being able to tackle and just but
you know, I think I would still probably say last
year's team was probably the best if I were to guess,
I mean, we would have worked them. But yeah, I
love the quarterback answer. It's that's why you're the quarterback again.
(22:28):
It's it's at the end of the day. I always
love It's why I love talking to quarterbacks. But Bryce,
you got anything you you want to ask? Greg, get
out there before we wrapped this bad boy up. We
could do this for like three more hours. But I
know Greg's got kids at least, and you're a little
busy this time of year. I've got some stuff to
do as well. But anything, Yeah, Actually, you know, I
think we've you know, I've I've obviously been in the
(22:50):
program and be able to start develop a relationship with
coach saving, but um, you know you were there. You
know obviously you've you've been around a little bit longer
than me. So I gotta ask, you know, what's like
the best story? Yeah? I got some good ones, dude,
I mean, but like he's so different now, you know
how like you get on campus, like for instance, the
(23:11):
first time, well, I guess the first time you went
through fourth quarter program? It was probably did you ever
get like a real fourth quarter program your freshman year? Yeah?
You did? You got a full one? Or was it
cutting half? Because both of them were full? We didn't
we didn't trust me. Covid didn't cut his and he
breaks the fourth quarter either, so you that's amazing, Like
(23:32):
of course COVID shuts down the world as soon as
fourth quarter finishes, like of course, exactly, like start it now,
all right? But I'm sure like, did you ever when
you got the fourth quarter and the older guys are
telling you, hey, man, get ready, bro, like this fourth
quarter is no joke? Like did they tell you that? Yeah? Definitely,
And then and then when you got through with it,
(23:54):
did they tell you, oh, this year's fourth quarter is
so much easier than last. They always say that, right
every time, so like the old heads will always tell you, oh, dude,
you had an easy bro, like it was so much
hard last year. Well here, let me give you an example,
just since this is like twelve years away. In two
thousand seven, coaches first year, we did fourth quarter program
(24:18):
for six weeks, six weeks NonStop, like no joke fourth
quarter either, trying to essentially like hey, if you don't
want to put up with this, you're not gonna make
it here. And dude, I thought we were all going
to I thought everyone on the team was gonna quit.
There was gonna be three scholarship guys left and they
were all kickers, like that was the only people left.
(24:39):
Everyone was out. But coach has changed so much. Dude,
he used to just grind us like crazy, but now
he's changed a lot. But some of the funniest stories, man,
Like I remember one time for real, like I was
playing terrible we played against while Miss Terrible read and
we had a wide open tight end of the flat,
like wide open we ran seven's or boom. I don't
(25:00):
know what y'all are calling it now, but it's a
five yard out in a corner. I mean, like simple, simple,
at a flank alignment, five yard out by the outside corner,
by the inside to the other side. We basically had
smashed with an under out piece of cake read away
from rotation. I had Julio in the slot to the right.
I had uh, you know, just just one of our
(25:23):
other receivers. I don't remember if it was Hanks for Maize,
whoever it was the outside. Well, Julio is around a
corner where at like the twenty two yard line against
all Miss, there's four ole Miss guys on Julio. But
I'm like, dude, I'm freaking he's open if these coveries open,
I'm freaking throwing it wide open on the flat, like
wide opening the flat didn't care forced the corner coaches like,
(25:45):
you gotta be kidding me, dude. Like getting act to
the side was one of those so bad kick the
field goal, come back to side, like all right, we're
gonna get back to that was an awful read, like
please read it out well this time that wrote it
the other way. And the tight ends, I'm reading the
tight end side. We're in twelve personnel. I throw the
corner again. This time only three defenders were on them, though,
and the flat was wide open, and he was just
(26:06):
about to undress me, and I said, Coach, is a
difference the other side of the field, Like it's totally
different read, you know, like totally different read. So the
next day he called me in and wanted me to
get checked for a concussion because he thought, I was
There's no possible way, there's no possible way you can
make a decision that bad. Not once, but twice, you're
getting checked. So I had to go and get checked. Awful, great,
(26:29):
I gotta that. I gotta tell you that this one
before we wrap real quick. John Parker told me this
one on the show, and it just kills me because
I'm sure this has probably happened to either one of
you all before. He said, one time, I forgot what
the read was he made. I think he threw it
to the wrong side wherever, and it was a pick
and it was like a second second pick of the
game or something. He's going over the sideline because the
coach saying, He's like, hey, coach, saveing, it's my fault.
He goes, no, it's my fault for leaving you in there,
(26:52):
That's what he said. It's it just it just gets
you get that one every once in a while. Yeah,
I bet, I bet you it's not the only time,
he said. I mean I have about about a million
of them. Yeah, I beg I could throw a better
in the world at all, he told me. He said,
(27:14):
you realize during during practice every day I work out
the dbs and their individual drills, and I throw interceptions
purposefully to the dbs. So I think I have the
best interception arm in this facility. But you're giving me
a run for my money. I love it, man, I
love it. Yeah, the only through like three picks my career, coach,
(27:37):
I give you a break, man, like I love it.
I love it. Well, Bryce, if if you don't have
anything else, man, let's wrap this bad boy up for sure,
for sure sounds good. Well, guys, like I said, we
could do this for hours. Man. I appreciate both of
you all coming on here. This is some great stuff.
I know the audience listener view where they're all gonna
love it. Make sure you subscribe to the Volume YouTube
(27:58):
channel catch Greg all over TV and college football as well.
Doing a great job that SEC Network. Make sure you
check us out next week. Going to be here same
time with Bryce Young for Greg mcray anything, any parting
shots here Greg for we before we roll. I'm just
happy to do with you guys, man, Bro, I s
keep with the great work do. It's so proud of you. Man,
You're playing your tail off. Just keep grinding. Bro. So
happy for you. Thank you. I really appreciate you. All right, gentlemen, Well,
(28:21):
like I said, make sure you check us out next
week on the Bryce Young podcast. I'm Jake Crane from
The J Boys Show for Greg McElroy and Bryce Young,
two former big time Alabama qubs. I said it again, Greg,
you heard that. I said it twice. It's real. Make
sure you guys check us out. We're gone for now,
but we'll catch us soon. The volume
The volume. Brilliant drive by Bryce Ya. You see the
elusiveness would be a bright never hurry doesn't have happy feet.
(00:28):
Six fires here. Awareness, understanding recognition, awareness, understanding recognition. That
kid is good, that kid is good, That kid is good,
that kid is good. All right, what's up everybody? And
welcome to another edition of the Bryce Young Podcast. Have
(00:51):
a very special guest. I'm surrounded by by big time
Alabama quarterbacks. Greg McElroy from the SEC network everywhere all
over cover in college football is joining us as well.
I want to bring both you guys in. Greg. First,
you appreciate you joining us tonight. No appreciate you guys
having me. I. You used an adjective there that I
really appreciate. You said big time. I think only one
of the two of us a big time. I don't
(01:14):
know if I still characterize as a big time quarterback
after the role that they've had the last few years. Man,
they're on a roll for sure. Well that's a great segue.
Let's bring Bryce Young coming off a fresh win against
rival Tennessee at home. Bryce another week, It's great to
join you, man, and and now we have an extra
quarterback in here, and let's chop it up a little
bit for sure. Well, Greg, I want to start with you,
my friend, and and it's cool watching Bryce Bryce's career
(01:38):
play out watch do you play as well? Kind of
seeing how offensive you know, mindsets and play calling is
continuing to evolve as it normally doesn't college football. But
what do you think is the biggest difference between Alabama
when you played football there as opposed to now when
Bryce is there? Is it the offensive system and kind
of the way it's evolved. Probably, I mean I would say,
(01:59):
obviously you're going to run an offense that suits what
the quarterback does well now. And I mean obviously Bryce
and Mac and Tu and Jalen they all ran different
variations of very similar systems, right, even Jake Coker and
and Blake Sends before that. So the offense is changing
awful lot. But one thing I've noticed though, is I
mean coach Saban just treats it differently. I mean, yeah,
(02:21):
it's still very important manufacturing big plays, take care of
the football. But with us Bryce, I mean it was
literally like don't you even dare try it? Like don't
even think about it, Like that there's a receiver within
three yards of that guy, don't throw it, you know,
So it's uh, it's just different how he's now very comfortable,
Hey man, take the risk, like, just throw it, shoot
(02:41):
your shot. If you miss it, your Carris, We'll get
you another one. Still doesn't want you to be reckless,
but at the same time, very much empowering the quarterback.
So it's pretty awesome to watch. And it's obviously these
guys are all super talented too, so it's been really
fun to watch as a Bama fan and someone that's
covering the sport. Yeah, Bryce, how is it the freedom
of playing in the off sense now and and the
way you know, you guys are able to be so
(03:02):
multiple We saw it against Tennessee as well. You can
go heavy when you need to, you can go light
when you need to, sprinkle it out the empty. It's
gotta be fun playing in something where you can do
so many different things. Yeah, definitely. I think we we
kind of pride ourselves and being multiple and having options
and um, you know that confidence, that trust that you
know we build throughout practicing and throughout reps in the
off season. Um, but building that with with coach Saban,
(03:25):
building that with coach O'Brien, building out with everyone. Um,
you know, it's important and it means a lot knowing
that you kind of have the support in the trust
of your coaches because um, you know, as um, you know,
as we both know it, it's a lot easier when
there's a you know, when there's coaches that believe in
you know, players around that believe in you. You know,
you have those reps log and you've had those conversations.
You know what you're expected to do, you know what
(03:46):
you're supposed to do, and you know what you're kind of, um,
you know what kind of freedom you have, so um,
you know you work to kind of earn that throughout
the off season and um, you know, the supporter of
the people around me, you know, makes makes my job
a lot easier. M And you know, Greg, I kind
of want both of your thoughts here and and really
you know y'all y'all have been a part of it.
You've been a part of it with Coach Saban in
(04:06):
the process bryce you're going through it right now. Do
you think it's something that that is just Nick Saban
specific or Coach Saban specific to to phrase it better,
is it's something that you think as we watch some
of these other coaches that are out in the space now,
is it's something that's transferable to other programs, is really
what I'm asking And Greg, if you don't mind, I'll
start with you. Yeah, I mean, I think it's it's
(04:28):
everyone tries to replicate it, right, but the way that
the process has now been implemented, I mean, it's fifteen
years in the making. It's crazy how long it's been.
But I think what's amazing is it's really a pretty
for the most parts player lead. I mean some some
years more than others, right, I mean, Princes bryceon your
team now is is pretty young. But there's a lot
(04:48):
of strong leadership. There's a lot of strong personalities. Sometimes
it's hard to talk up and speak up when you
haven't really played a whole lot, but that comes with time.
And I think that, um, it's not that it doesn't
come as natural because I think when you sign up
to play at Alabama, the expectation is pretty simple. It's like,
can you either get in line or you're out. Like
(05:09):
every player knows that, every coach knows that you're either
gonna do it at the highest level possible and you're
gonna help us win championships or we don't want anything
to do with you. That's kind of just the way
it was. UM. It took some time, and we didn't
necessarily have the roster turnover that you have now with
the freedom of transfer and and all the other stuff.
But it's it's it's definitely amazing to watch now from
(05:30):
a distance and might go everywhere and bryce like you've
had one college experience that you've been Obama. But I
think as you venture out and you get in the
league and you talk to other guys, you realize just
how different it really is. You think everyone's kind of
the same, it's not. It's amazing how different every place
really is. UM and the place that is the most
consistent for the last twelve years is Alabama. And there's
it's a reason why. I mean, they just expect. They
(05:53):
expect every player, every coach, every person that walks in
that building has a certain expectation level and it never
drops off. It's it's honestly, it's amazing to be around. Yeah,
but I's I'll let you speak on that too. You know,
it's funny we call it the process now, Greg, I'm
trying to remember if it was called the process when
you were playing, or if it was just hey, that's
Nick Saban, but you know under the process, right, yeah,
(06:16):
exactly exactly, and to kind of build off that, it's
you know, it's a plan that in theory. You know, UM,
you know, I think we're probably translating into something that's
that's often you know, trying to be replicated. But UM,
you know, with with coach Saban, you know what you're getting.
He does such a great job with us and has
been um as you know, as laying that process down
and laying that plan down, and you know for us
(06:38):
now and you know, at this time and at this age, UM,
it starts even as your recruit. You know, even even
before um even step on you know, you step on
campus and you sign, you kind of you kind of
know about it and you kind of understand, um, a
little bit of what Alabama's processes. And then as you
start to um, you know, really really talk to the
coaches and understand what it is. And then once you
buy into it and you commit to it, and you
(07:00):
you know, you get into it, you start to learn
more and understand exactly just how much it will it
will benefit you and the sacrifice the necessary and you see,
you get to hear kind of the testimonies of all
the other players, and you understand it more and more.
But um, now I think, you know, coach Saban has
been so successful and and and taught all of this
so well to where you, um, you know when you
think of Alabama football, that's kind of um, you know
(07:21):
at least what I what I thought when I first
started to even belue it as a recruit. And then
when you're in it, um, you know, you you understand,
and you you start to really buy into it. And
then now you know completely being in it, um, you
see the benefits and you see you know, the people
around you, You get to compare, you know, kind of
everyone going through a similar journey, and um, we all
know that, you know, we we become better because of it. Yeah,
(07:42):
And then I think it's cool how Gregg talked about
the periphery too. When you get outside and you start
seeing other places as well. But you know, you guys
brought up something in player accountability and and we talk
about the show all the time, Greg, I know you do.
And Bryce. It's something that's preached there. The best teams
or player lead, the best locker rooms are policed by
the players, do you think that? And the standard is
is the thing that that one of the main things
(08:03):
that would you you would say to find Alabama success
over this run that we've seen. Either one of you
can answer it, but to me, that's got to stand
about as tall as anything else that goes on. But
I haven't been in there. I haven't been in the process.
So you guys know more than me. Yeah, I I
definitely say that's that's you know, that's one of the
biggest things that UM. You know that we know it's
(08:25):
attributed to the success of the past that standards and
us buying into and us believing in it and us
working and that's something now current day that we UM
you know, we know we have to reach and we
have to strive for each and every day. So that's
a challenge for us UM now that you know, when
we look back and we see, like you said, the
success of the teams, we know why and we we
understand why. And it's it's the commitments, the standard, it's
(08:46):
everyone buying into it and and and and really pushing
themselves to reach the Abama standard. That's something now as
a team that we you know that we understand we
have to work for and strive for, and that's something
that we're um, you know that we're trying to reach
every single data you know eventually, Sure, Greg, what do
you think you know? I think I think it's cool.
What Bryce said is like there's no false impressions, right,
(09:10):
like like anyone like Bryce was Bryce howelld are you yes? Alright?
So I remember those days. I remember Bryce is twenty
years old, alright, So he was eight years old when
I was playing. It was six years old when Coach
Savan got to Tuscaloosa. Like all he knows is Alabama's dominance,
(09:33):
like he's seen it from afar. He's been a part
of it now. And when you're going through the recruiting
process and you go see all these different places, like
you know what it's going to be like when you
sign up to play at Alabama, Like you know it's
gonna be difficult, you know it's gonna be high expectations.
You know you're gonna win. Like that's when it comes
down to, I mean, you know what you're gonna get into.
I think it's and I think that's what's cool about
(09:55):
this generation of players is that there's nothing there's no
false pretend you're not sell hope, you know, And I
think that's what's different. Like when we were in it,
it was all about, hey, if if we do the
right thing, man, we hope it will work out. Like
I don't know if it will, but let's try, you
know what I mean. Now you know that if you
do the right thing, Look what's happened in the last
(10:18):
twelve years, Like, you're gonna get the same result if
you just do this and trust us and follow our lead.
So it's kind of just cool to see it continue
and be elevated to even a level that even us
as players and players have had success, even to a
level that we didn't expect. I mean, it's it's just remarkable,
and it's test with the guys that sign up. No
(10:38):
one's gonna be hard because there's other places too. They're like, oh,
you're not gonna have fun if you sign up to
play it all about it's gonna be it's gonna be
too hard and you're not gonna enjoy yourself. Yeah, well,
I mean, last time I checked winnings fun it's the funnest,
it's the fun. That's That's the way I'll look at it.
Anything that's worth doing is supposed to be difficult, So
I think it's cool that the players knew what they
were signing up for. It As a result, now they're
(10:58):
obviously getting the opportunity chase everything that they wanted to
don't chase, and every class is winn a ring since
Nick Saban's got that's insane. I've seen some crazy stats.
Joe DiMaggio got a lot of hits, but that's a
crazy stat. I mean, one one ring for every class
in today's college football world. But you know, Greg, you know,
quarterback to quarterback. If you don't mind, I'd love to
(11:19):
find out what advice you would give. Bryce is a
guy that's been in that same the same moment that
he's in and we know closing times towards the end
of the year, as we kind of breached the midway
point of this season. That's the first time I've used
the word verb breach, and forever the last time I
can't remember using that. But what advice would you give
to Bryce about just the end of the year and
and how to go about things, or at least the
(11:40):
experience you had. Well, I mean, I don't have to
give him any advicement. He's been amazing. Like I've been
so proud of him. And I'm not saying that he's
just sitting here. I've said on the air on Saturday,
I've said it on the air last week when we
called the game becaus Mississippi State. I mean, it's just
not very often when you see a young guy that
prepares like he does, and like I'm with quarterbacks every
week and watch quarterbacks every week, and man, there's not
(12:00):
many guys that are as prepared for a game, is
prepared for a pressure, as prepared and knowing where his
answers are whereas blitzpeeders are, and there's just not that
many guys that are doing like you. Man, I think
it's awesome. So I think just keep doing what you're doing.
One thing that I'm just really interesting, Like you're not
from Alabama. Um, obviously you signed up here knowing that
there were big expectations. But I think just the way
that you've the way that you've handled it all, man,
(12:22):
it's freaking hard. Like it's really hard to go out
there and face music after you have a disappointing performance
against Texas a m and you've bounced back. It's been
completely unfaced by it. I think what you've done this
year has been remarkable. Man. I'm just I'm really proud
of you. And there's not a lot of us that
know what it's like to sit in like one of
the most scrutinized positions in the state. But you're handling
(12:45):
it beautifully and just keep doing your thing, man. I
mean nothing that I can teach you at this point.
If anything, I'm learning from you. I appreciate that. That's
the that's love right there. But I do guys, as
we kind of move on, and I great. You know,
a lot of guys try and make the transition from
player to coach, our player to broadcaster. Sometimes it works
(13:08):
out well, sometimes it doesn't. But you've obviously had a
seamless transition, man. And I'm not saying that because you're
sitting right here. I've said it multiple times. You and
Cole Cubicer are two of the best in my opinion.
But what made you decide you wanted to get into
too kind of the broadcasting round because I know you'd
have been a really good coach too. It's but what
kind of made you pick that? You know, It's funny
because it was kind of between the two things. It
was like, I can't give up football, Like, no, I'm
(13:30):
either going to coach, I'm gonna play. Uh And if
you can't play or you can't coach, then I gotta
figure something out. And I wasn't sure what that was
gonna be, but I was excuse. It's kind of that
crossroads got my pension in the league, and then it
was kind of like, A really not that good. I mean,
I gotta keep grinding and I might make a couple
(13:51):
more rosters, like get it to year five or six,
or I can just shut it down right now and
go find something else if it presents itself to me.
So I talk to ESPN at a broadcast agent after
I got out of school and did some stuff, and
I was able to kind of leverage the deal with
ESPN while still being under contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.
(14:11):
So it's kind of an ideal circumstances, perfect setup um
and one that I really don't regret, Like it's the
closest thing to play in coach, and I just feel
like we have a little bit more freedom. You do,
you know you do? You've seen both sides that A yeah,
like I can have a beer on Friday night if
I want one. I mean, no one's gonna stop me.
I guess I could have if I was in school
or Whatno if I guess I could have if I
(14:32):
was in the league too, But I don't know, man,
It's it's just it's been a fun transition. It's it's
a good gig. You get to meet cool people like
Bryce and um there's so many people's stories that like
you hear and you're not you would never have known.
I mean, like, for instance, guys that have just unbelievable
adversity that they've had to overcome, and to be able
to help tell that story, it's been real fulfilling for me.
(14:54):
So I love it. I love what I do, and
being able to go to great games every Saturday's bonus
as well. For sure. Bryce, I know you got a
long playing career ahead of you, man, but you know,
when you get done, it's broadcasting something or coaching something
you look into because we all love the game. We're
addicted to the game. Greg, you said it best. I
can't give up football. I haven't been able to do
it since the first time I flipped it on. Yeah. Yeah,
(15:17):
it's um yeah, just somehow being attached to the game.
Um yeah, I mean, you know, I like to think
of myself is still I'm kind of young. But first sure,
yeah your last name is Bryce. Yeah, no pudding to it,
but um yeah, I definitely couldn't patient myself, um or
imagine myself you know without the game, you know, as
you know, as as manny as it is and how
(15:38):
you know, how time was assuming and everything goes into it.
I couldn't imagine, you know, really a reality without in
some way, shape or form some aspect, you know, the
game being part of my life. So um, you know whatever.
I haven't really put too much thune into it um yet,
but um yeah, but I mean what and I really
couldn't see myself, you know without the game in my life. Yeah, no,
(15:59):
for sure. And it's funny Greg too. Do you prefer
doing and it's it's fun to do all of it,
I know, but but I think me and Bryce would
both like to know do you prefer doing the radio show?
Are like calling games? Are going to the games and
being there live? Like is there one you prefer the most?
Or is it kind of like listen all bad first,
all about third, all that six? It doesn't matter. I'm
gonna get up there and knock some runs in. Yeah,
I mean it's the games man. Like, Yeah, it's not
(16:21):
like it's no different than being a player. We only
get twelve or thirteen or fifteen I think in a
given year, if you include a couple of spring games,
I'll do like seventeen to twenty games. And it's like,
that's what you do it for. Like all this work
and yeah, like talking about the game and radio is awesome.
I love it, but there's nothing better than being up
there walking on the field and seeing, you know, feeling
(16:43):
that energy that you have before the game, like Bryce
and you and everybody that's ever played it, we all
have butterflies. Like even as a broadcaster, even though I'm
not getting hit the dude, I've gotta go out and
like and here, and people are gonna hear my voice.
Millions of people can hear my voice. And that's some
really uncomfortable feeling at first. Now I've gotten used to it,
but remember the first couple times I did, I was
freaking out, like I don't know what the hell I'm doing.
(17:04):
Why are they making this? I'm not this is this
is uncomfortable and the one thing I've learned bryce to
you know, like when you go on the sideline you're
talking on the bed set to Billy, or you're talking
our coach O'Brien or if you're talking to coach Saban,
like you get the chill for for the time to
the defense out there now hopefully for you it's like
three plays, you know, like you get the chilling for
(17:25):
those couple of minutes when I didn't think about as
a broadcaster, I never thought about it. It's like, dude,
you're on when they're on defense and when you're on offense,
like you never had that time off. I was, I
like freaked out the first game. I'm like, dude, hang on,
i gotta talk to the o C for a minute,
Like I'm supposed to be working right now, Like this
is where I'm chilling. So that's that's hilarious that I
(17:47):
would never said something unless you did it and win there,
you would never think about or like understand. But that
that's I didn't even think about it as a player,
Like I just never it never like crossed my mind
until the first game I did. It was like, dude,
I'm supposed to have this series off and it and
you just you don't get that. Yeah, that's true, that's true.
But you know what too, and and Greg, I want
to ask you which Bama team since coach Saban got there.
(18:08):
You you think it's the best. But both of you
guys running out of the tunnel and Briany, Bryce, I
wanna start with you. I guess it hits everybody different,
you know, in a certain way. But tell me the
feeling you get running out of that tunnel into Bryant
Denny going out there to play at home game, because
there's a lot of feelings they're in a lot like those. Yeah, yeah, definitely.
I mean the feeling you get running out you know,
(18:31):
especially our home games where Brian Denny, you know, any
time of the day especially. You know, it's not it's
something you can't replicate. It's it's hard to describe. But
we we have such a great environment, such great fans, um,
you know, in a in a in a great stadium,
and whenever we get to play at home and you know,
we get that on her and you know, you get
to go out there and we're not with your brothers
(18:51):
and it's it's special. So um, you know, every time,
you know, I'm I work on it now, you know,
you're obviously at the time I'm locked in, I'm thinking
about you know whatever, my my you know, my head
where my head has to be. I'm I'm knocking there.
But every once in a while, I've I've tried my best.
I'm not always the best, and I remember to do it,
but I try my best every once in a while,
trying to stop and look around and and and try
(19:13):
to save at the moment, you know, a little bit.
But um, you know, every time we run out, it's always,
you know, the emotions are wild. It's always an amazing feeling. Greg.
I see you smiling over there the people people on
audio camp, but but I can see you with me
about your It's just so cool on this stuff out.
That was awesome, man, I mean, it's so cool to
run out. I mean I remember still and I'm sure
(19:35):
Bryce tess to like running out and he played at
a big high school. I played a big high school.
Like run out in high school, I remember being like
a sixteen year old kid doing it for the first time.
They're fifteen year old kid and do it for the
first time. I was like, this is the coolest thing.
It will never get colder than this, And you'd run
out of that red, white and green dragon helmet and
we'd run through the cheerleaders and run through our sign
(19:55):
like there's nothing cooler than this, and then you go
to Bama. It's like, good lord, yeah, this is ridiculous.
Is the coolest thing ever. I wish I could bottled
this feeling up and think about it forever. Unfortunately, a
lot like Bryce, I didn't like as a starter, I
never got to enjoy it as a backup. I could
soak it up as a Red Shirt players, like oh
(20:17):
this is amazing, yeah, But as a backup, as a starter,
it's like that's the last thing on my mind. So
the last few years in school, I wish I could
have enjoyed it a little bit more when we were better,
you know, and the crowd was more fired. So it was,
but it's pretty neat. I always kind of I don't
know how Bryce feels about this. I always kind of
like running out of tunnel at Way games. But the
(20:38):
booze were just awesome, and just to hear how mad
people were just to see us take the field to
me always made me laugh. I love that part. It
is Bryce, we talked about that. I think on the
first episode asked you what you like better home or away?
And there's some about getting a lot of people going,
but there's some about shutting a lot of people up
to It's kind of like a kind of reverse good feeling.
But Greg, I hit a little bit earlier. And and
(21:00):
you know, I always find this question fascinating because I
don't know if we're ever going to see a run
like we've seen what Nick Saman's been able to pull off,
especially with the way the game is changing. But what
is the best BAMA team or or the BAMA team
that would worry you the most if you were having
to coach against him? Since Nick Saban got there, and
there's so many to choose from. O, come on, two
thousand nine, dude, we would have scored them all. I
(21:23):
all didn't want any part of that. I told Mac
this it is. It is pro day. I'm telling you,
two thousand nine would have smoked them all two touchdowns
at least walk off. No, probably probably. You know, it's
so hard because there's been so many good ones. Is
what what I thought was the best team was two
(21:44):
thousand and eighteen lost badly. The worst loss in the
save A era. Um So if you were to ask me,
if you take out that one game that would have
been the team, it would be almost impossible not to
say last year's team. I mean you just because they
were such a juggernaut on offense. Now, there were obviously
(22:05):
some growing pains on defense, but everybody had growing pains
on defense. Last year it was just COVID not having
weird and having weird practices and have a weird fall
camp and not being able to tackle and just but
you know, I think I would still probably say last
year's team was probably the best if I were to guess,
I mean, we would have worked them. But yeah, I
love the quarterback answer. It's that's why you're the quarterback again.
(22:28):
It's it's at the end of the day. I always
love It's why I love talking to quarterbacks. But Bryce,
you got anything you you want to ask? Greg, get
out there before we wrapped this bad boy up. We
could do this for like three more hours. But I
know Greg's got kids at least, and you're a little
busy this time of year. I've got some stuff to
do as well. But anything, Yeah, Actually, you know, I
think we've you know, I've I've obviously been in the
(22:50):
program and be able to start develop a relationship with
coach saving, but um, you know you were there. You
know obviously you've you've been around a little bit longer
than me. So I gotta ask, you know, what's like
the best story? Yeah? I got some good ones, dude,
I mean, but like he's so different now, you know
how like you get on campus, like for instance, the
(23:11):
first time, well, I guess the first time you went
through fourth quarter program? It was probably did you ever
get like a real fourth quarter program your freshman year? Yeah?
You did? You got a full one? Or was it
cutting half? Because both of them were full? We didn't
we didn't trust me. Covid didn't cut his and he
breaks the fourth quarter either, so you that's amazing, Like
(23:32):
of course COVID shuts down the world as soon as
fourth quarter finishes, like of course, exactly, like start it now,
all right? But I'm sure like, did you ever when
you got the fourth quarter and the older guys are
telling you, hey, man, get ready, bro, like this fourth
quarter is no joke? Like did they tell you that? Yeah? Definitely,
And then and then when you got through with it,
(23:54):
did they tell you, oh, this year's fourth quarter is
so much easier than last. They always say that, right
every time, so like the old heads will always tell you, oh, dude,
you had an easy bro, like it was so much
hard last year. Well here, let me give you an example,
just since this is like twelve years away. In two
thousand seven, coaches first year, we did fourth quarter program
(24:18):
for six weeks, six weeks NonStop, like no joke fourth
quarter either, trying to essentially like hey, if you don't
want to put up with this, you're not gonna make
it here. And dude, I thought we were all going
to I thought everyone on the team was gonna quit.
There was gonna be three scholarship guys left and they
were all kickers, like that was the only people left.
(24:39):
Everyone was out. But coach has changed so much. Dude,
he used to just grind us like crazy, but now
he's changed a lot. But some of the funniest stories, man,
Like I remember one time for real, like I was
playing terrible we played against while Miss Terrible read and
we had a wide open tight end of the flat,
like wide open we ran seven's or boom. I don't
(25:00):
know what y'all are calling it now, but it's a
five yard out in a corner. I mean, like simple, simple,
at a flank alignment, five yard out by the outside corner,
by the inside to the other side. We basically had
smashed with an under out piece of cake read away
from rotation. I had Julio in the slot to the right.
I had uh, you know, just just one of our
(25:23):
other receivers. I don't remember if it was Hanks for Maize,
whoever it was the outside. Well, Julio is around a
corner where at like the twenty two yard line against
all Miss, there's four ole Miss guys on Julio. But
I'm like, dude, I'm freaking he's open if these coveries open,
I'm freaking throwing it wide open on the flat, like
wide opening the flat didn't care forced the corner coaches like,
(25:45):
you gotta be kidding me, dude. Like getting act to
the side was one of those so bad kick the
field goal, come back to side, like all right, we're
gonna get back to that was an awful read, like
please read it out well this time that wrote it
the other way. And the tight ends, I'm reading the
tight end side. We're in twelve personnel. I throw the
corner again. This time only three defenders were on them, though,
and the flat was wide open, and he was just
(26:06):
about to undress me, and I said, Coach, is a
difference the other side of the field, Like it's totally
different read, you know, like totally different read. So the
next day he called me in and wanted me to
get checked for a concussion because he thought, I was
There's no possible way, there's no possible way you can
make a decision that bad. Not once, but twice, you're
getting checked. So I had to go and get checked. Awful, great,
(26:29):
I gotta that. I gotta tell you that this one
before we wrap real quick. John Parker told me this
one on the show, and it just kills me because
I'm sure this has probably happened to either one of
you all before. He said, one time, I forgot what
the read was he made. I think he threw it
to the wrong side wherever, and it was a pick
and it was like a second second pick of the
game or something. He's going over the sideline because the
coach saying, He's like, hey, coach, saveing, it's my fault.
He goes, no, it's my fault for leaving you in there,
(26:52):
That's what he said. It's it just it just gets
you get that one every once in a while. Yeah,
I bet, I bet you it's not the only time,
he said. I mean I have about about a million
of them. Yeah, I beg I could throw a better
in the world at all, he told me. He said,
(27:14):
you realize during during practice every day I work out
the dbs and their individual drills, and I throw interceptions
purposefully to the dbs. So I think I have the
best interception arm in this facility. But you're giving me
a run for my money. I love it, man, I
love it. Yeah, the only through like three picks my career, coach,
(27:37):
I give you a break, man, like I love it.
I love it. Well, Bryce, if if you don't have
anything else, man, let's wrap this bad boy up for sure,
for sure sounds good. Well, guys, like I said, we
could do this for hours. Man. I appreciate both of
you all coming on here. This is some great stuff.
I know the audience listener view where they're all gonna
love it. Make sure you subscribe to the Volume YouTube
(27:58):
channel catch Greg all over TV and college football as well.
Doing a great job that SEC Network. Make sure you
check us out next week. Going to be here same
time with Bryce Young for Greg mcray anything, any parting
shots here Greg for we before we roll. I'm just
happy to do with you guys, man, Bro, I s
keep with the great work do. It's so proud of you. Man,
You're playing your tail off. Just keep grinding. Bro. So
happy for you. Thank you. I really appreciate you. All right, gentlemen, Well,
(28:21):
like I said, make sure you check us out next
week on the Bryce Young podcast. I'm Jake Crane from
The J Boys Show for Greg McElroy and Bryce Young,
two former big time Alabama qubs. I said it again, Greg,
you heard that. I said it twice. It's real. Make
sure you guys check us out. We're gone for now,
but we'll catch us soon. The volume
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