Friday, April 10, 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. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Steelers Waiting on Aaron Rodgers (Again)—With Higher Stakes

The NFL team again waits on a decision from the mercurial veteran.

NFL Annual Meeting to Tackle Rule Changes, Refs, and Media Rights

The league will advance its preparations for next season.
Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The Philadelphia Eagles execute a tush push for a first down against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field.

NFL Rule Proposals Don’t Include Ban on Tush Push

The oft-debated play will not be reconsidered at the annual league meeting.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Green Bay Packers alumni welcome fans to the 2025 NFL Draft before the first round on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The draft runs through April 26.
exclusive

NFL Network to Continue Draft Broadcast Under ESPN

NFL Network has produced its own draft broadcast since 2006.

Featured Today

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
April 8, 2026

Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?

The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.
Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center.
April 4, 2026

Loopholes Enable Int’l College Basketball Players to Cash In

Schools have scrambled to find a way to compensate international players.
April 1, 2026

‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch

Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.” 

Masters Ticket Crackdown Playing Out Behind Closed Doors

Dozens of fans were questioned upon entry Thursday.
April 8, 2026

What the Core Designation Means Under the New WNBA CBA

Ten WNBA players were cored this week, with one notable absence.
April 9, 2026

NFL Targets OTAs, Minicamps for Replacement Refs Rollout

The league takes further steps to prepare a group of alternates.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
April 8, 2026

LIV Signs Prediction-Market Deal As PGA Tour Has Held Off

LIV signed a short-term deal for Masters week.
April 8, 2026

Masters Remains Power Broker As PGA Tour, LIV Golf Divide Lingers

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley stressed collaboration this week.
April 8, 2026

NFL’s Melbourne Opener Sparks Frenzy, Ticket Issues, Team Unease

Ticket demand far outstrips supply at the expansive Australian stadium.
April 7, 2026

MLB’s Rookie Stars Are Delivering Big Value on Small Contracts

A fertile crop of first-year players is making an immediate impact.