CJ Stroud Showers Praise on ‘Brother’ Bryce Young’s Growth After Struggles
Bryce Young led the Carolina Panthers in four of their five wins in the past season, including a high-scoring Week 18 clash against the Falcons.

CJ Stroud, Bryce Young (Image via Carolina Panthers)
🔍 Explore this post with:
Bryce Young and CJ Stroud will forever be bonded because of their first and second overall picks in the NFL Spring Draft 2023. While the latter went on to create rookie records, Young struggled in his rookie year with inconsistency.
The duo, born and brought up in Southern California, had been friends since their high school days. CJ Stroud played football and basketball in Rancho Cucamonga, while Young played the sport in the Cathedral and later at Mater Dei. The two schools Young was enrolled at were within an hour’s distance from Rancho Cucamonga in the San Bernadino County.
Bryce Young took his talents to Alabama to play under Nick Saban, while CJ Stroud committed to Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes. Both made waves in the collegiate season, starting in their last two seasons at their respective teams.
Despite that, Young and Stroud never squared off as starting quarterbacks. The closest they came was the 2020 national championship game, when Young entered only to take the final kneel-down in Alabama’s 52–24 win over the Buckeyes.
The two friends took two different paths, converged at the draft, and went their separate ways once again. While Stroud went on to become a franchise leader, the other struggled even into his second season. However, Young picked up the pace coming back after a mid-season benching. The new season is a do-or-die for the quarterback as he is ranked among the top five QBs with a lot to prove.
The Carolina Panthers and the Houston Texans held a joint practice ahead of their preseason game on Saturday. Despite their diverging paths on the day, Young and Stroud called each other their brothers. After the practice in the sweltering heat, Stroud praised Bryce Young. Stroud said, via the Panthers website:
I think I’ve seen a dog come out of him that he has that a lot of people haven’t seen. But I know he dealt with some frustrations. I think it’s good that we go through these ups and downs to refocus you back on what’s important…He’s a heck of a player, one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever seen in my life. He needs some help around him too. I’m just really proud of that guy.
Bryce Young returned the praises to CJ Stroud
CJ Stroud didn’t have the same trajectory as in his rookie season. The Houston Texans, despite finishing atop the AFC South, weren’t a strong contender in the playoffs. The franchise, having no Super Bowl trips yet, is looking forward to its maiden journey, and Stroud’s return to form is crucial for that to happen.

Amid the struggles and pressure, Young reciprocated Stroud’s feelings and showered praise on his childhood friend. He also reflected on their friendship and their childhoods. Young said, via the Panthers’ website.
He’s someone that I’ve been around him in a lot of different, outside perspectives. I’ve seen him as an overlooked middle school or high schooler that I’ve been around that was just as good but didn’t get the fame, or didn’t have the offers, didn’t have the hype. I’ve seen him at Ohio State play one game, and people acting like he’s not good and people saying he’s this and that.
Young added that Stroud has been the same person throughout his various experiences. He explained that the nature of the quarterback is to be a great leader on and off the field, and to stay humbled and family-oriented despite the difficult circumstances is one of the qualities that he admired in Stroud.
Also Read: Taylor Swift’s Bizarre Football Admission Leaves Fans Confused – “Why Is She Lying”