Bryce Young Grateful for Growth Heading Into Second Spring at Notre Dame
Entering the season, freshman Bryce Young was a name folks were tracking to see if he could crack into the rotation at defensive end.
Notre Dame returned a wealth of experience and talent on the edge, but three weeks into the season, the 6-foot-7, 258-pounder took on a bigger role when Jordan Botelho and Joshua Burnham suffered injuries. And two weeks later, Young was officially thrown to the deep end when Boubacar Traore went down.
Young had ups and downs during his first season in South Bend, yet the Charlotte native finished the season with 23 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
On the year, Young played 374 snaps, but most importantly, he learned what he needed to do throughout the week and on game day to set himself up for success.
“It’s definitely been an experience where I’ve learned from guys, but also figuring out what works for me,” stated Young. “Everyone has their own process. It’s been awesome to see how I can fine-tune things I do so I have success on and off the field.”
Young had four tackle games against Florida State and Penn State. He also recorded a huge sack against Indiana in the first round of the College Football Playoff. In the Sugar Bowl, Young had two running into the punter flags and other teams picked on him in the run game at times.
2024 had it all for Young and that’s precisely what he needed to reach his full potential. The highs gave him confidence in his growth, while the lows provided motivation and a path to improvement - and his arrival on a national stage seems only a matter of time away.
“It’s been a season of growth,” Young said. “As long as I’m growing and getting through it, I’m happy. I know that even if I mess up, I will grow from that moment on. If that same moment comes in the future, I can do it even better.”
Notre Dame defensive line coach Al Washington had to expedite Young’s growth process following the Louisville game. It started in the meeting rooms and then they put a plan in place on the field.
“Intentionality with my process,” Young said of where Washington helped him the most. “Preparation is always key and he’s helped me realize that. I take pride in the way I prepare and that’s helped me.
“We’re just focusing on areas of the game I can impact the most, whether it’s techniques, working my side and all that.”
The humble mindset has allowed Notre Dame’s staff to see Young flourish from the first moment they laid eyes on him in June of 2022.
Young went to football camp as a receiver, but Washington quickly got him with the defensive line group. The move put Young out of his comfort zone as he had never really played defensive end, but two years later, it’s a decision that likely impacted his career.
“I wasn’t even thinking that far ahead,” Young stated. “I was just happy to be there. It was my first camp ever, so I was focused on having fun and showing them how much I could do.”
What did Washington see in the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder that day? Potential.
“He had the right qualities, the length and at that time, he was like 215,” Washington explained. “I’ll never forget the first time he went through a drill and he stumbled over the bag and fell. I told him to get back up and it was better with the second rep. I saw right there he has the ability to grow and evolve.
“He’s a great example of that work ethic and play. He’s grown tremendously this year.”
Since that day, Young has thrived at defensive end. He finished his high school career as a five-star and an All-American.
Now, Young will head into a huge offseason, and he’ll do it for the second time with his high school teammate, Micah Gilbert, pushing him from the other side of the ball. Both players have an opportunity to make strong cases for more significant roles and Young believes that will happen.
“He’s one of my best friends,” said Young. “Everything we’ve gone through, we’ve done it together. We were new here together and I think we’ve grown a lot. I’m excited to see what we both can do. The future is very bright for both of us.”
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