Despite Top Draft Prospect Bryce Young Putting Size Issues to Rest, NFL GM Still Feels the Need to Bring Up Russell Wilson

The NFL draft is just hours away and the NFL franchises are gearing up to take in the new talent. One of those talents is Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. While he is the hot favorite to go off the board before anyone else, there are concerns about his height. He put them to rest in a pre-draft talk with the media. Despite that, NFL GM brought up Russell Wilson to finally put the concerns to bed.

Young is 5-foot-10 inches tall which many consider a sub-optimal height for an NFL quarterback. That is mainly due to the insane heights of the offensive and defensive linemen. But Carolina Panthers GM Scott Fitterer knows that height alone does not make a good QB. And he has Wilson’s example to back him up on that.

Panthers GM defends Bryce Young with the Russell Wilson example 

The Panthers GM brought up Russell Wilson when the media pressed him about the height concerns regarding draft prospect Bryce Young. Scott Fitterer had recruited Wilson for Seattle Seahawks back in 2012. And his height at 5-foot-11 inches isn’t much different than the Alabama QB. That is what the GM conveyed to Young’s naysayers.

“When Russell Wilson came out he had three balls batted down his senior year; Bryce had two. It doesn’t seem to be an issue. When you grow up a shorter quarterback you learn how to evolve your game and adapt and see the field. And he’s done that,” Fitterer said in a recent press conference, according to Associated Press.

Read More: “Why Would You…”: JJ Watt Dishes Honest Thoughts on Star Draft Prospect Bryce Young’s ‘Small Size’

The Panthers have the first overall pick in the draft this year. Reports suggest that they are planning to pick Young as their quarterback for the future. If that is the case, the GM’s spirited defense of the QB makes perfect sense.

Fitterer isn’t the only one who faced questions regarding Young’s height. The media grilled Young himself on the issue and he had the perfect answer ready for them.

Young has the perfect response 

When Bryce Young got the same question, he found a perfect way to answer it. And his response should put the debate to rest forever.

“I know myself and only focus on things I can control. I can’t grow. That doesn’t fall in that category,” Young said while smiling at the reporter’s question.

And he is right. Russell Wilson won a Super Bowl and went to the Pro Bowl nine times with a similar height. Nobody can say what the young Alabama QB can achieve when given the chance. So, will the Panthers take a chance on Young? The GM’s statement is a strong indicator of that. But even if they don’t, other teams will surely pounce on the chance to sign the 2021 Heinsmen winner.

WATCH THIS STORY: Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 28-year prior bold move sparks social media frenzy