Friday, June 26, 2026

Bryce Young Proves It Pays to Play At Alabama

  • Since 2005, 41 Alabama players have gone in the first round and made a combined $1.3 billion.
  • Alabama’s Bryce Young and Will Anderson were selected in the first three picks of 2023 NFL Draft.
Bryce Young NFL Draft.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday night’s NFL Draft welcomed Bryce Young as the new face of the Carolina Panthers. The former Alabama quarterback went No. 1 overall. 

Young is expected to sign a four-year deal worth $41.2 million, including a $26.9 million signing bonus, according to Spotrac’s projections.

During Young’s college career, the quarterback earned more than a million dollars in NIL deals. Recently, Young has agreed to endorsement deals with Jordan Brand, Snickers, Beats by Dre, and sports drinks BodyArmor and Celsius. 

Bama’s Billions

Young is the latest Crimson Tide first-rounder to prove it pays to play in Tuscaloosa. Since 2005, 41 Alabama players have gone in the first round and have made $1.3 billion in combined career earnings — the most of any school during that period. 

After selecting Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud with the second pick, the Houston Texans traded up to the No. 3 spot to select Alabama linebacker, Will Anderson.

Later in the round, the Detroit Lions selected running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th overall pick, giving the Crimson Tide 44 players selected in the first round since 2005.

In 2021, the Crimson Tide had a record-six players selected in the first round.

Ohio State ranks second with $1.05 billion in career earnings for NFL first-round picks in the same period, followed by LSU at $921 million. 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Slams Door on Brendan Sorsby’s Supplemental Draft Bid

The league told him to prepare to enter the 2027 NFL Draft instead.
Brendan Sorsby runs with the ball during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Sorsby Brings Unprecedented Intrigue to NFL Supplemental Draft

No players other than Sorsby have entered the supplemental draft.

NFL Sets Another Super Bowl Without Dates As Schedule Questions Loom

The home markets of the Titans and Vikings each landed a big event.

Nashville’s New $2.1B Stadium Expected to Land 2030 Super Bowl

Team owners will vote on future Super Bowl and NFL Draft locations.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Tracy McGrady on Buying ABCD Camp, Investing in the Bills & More.

0:00

Featured Today

June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
June 25, 2026

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Jun 24, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Norway national soccer team fans show support accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Met during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field.

World Cup Fans Are Taking Over MLB Stadiums

About 8,000 Scottish fans attended the Marlins game Monday night.
Feb 24, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Angels A general view of the MLB logo and first base during the first inning of a spring training game between the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
June 26, 2026

MLBPA: Owners’ Aggressive Labor Proposals Unite Players

The union has decried the perceived attack on “player choice.”
Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) secures a rebound during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
June 26, 2026

Knicks Face Second Apron Squeeze After Title

Mitchell Robinson has likely played his final game for the Knicks.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
Jun 14, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) celebrates after winning the UFC Freedom 250 fight against Ilia Topuria (not pictured) at the White House South Lawn. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
June 26, 2026

UFC Touts 34M Global Audience for White House Event

The event’s overall audience doubles with the inclusion of international figures.
June 25, 2026

MLB Owners Escalate Labor Fight With New Contract Proposal

MLB team owners make another radical labor proposal.
FILE PHOTO: A view shows the logo of PGA Tour during the Canadian Open Championship at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ontario, Canada June 7, 2023. REUTERS/Nick Lachance/File Photo
June 25, 2026

PGA Tour Faces New Sponsorship Test With 2028 Overhaul

Championship Series events will have $20 million purses.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) scrambles to get up over Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever, 111-109.
June 25, 2026

Caitlin Clark’s Status Unclear After Apparent Throat Punch, Back Injury

The WNBA gave Alyssa Thomas a one-game suspension on Thursday.