Former Alabama defender named one of the most surprising NFL cuts on final roster cutdown day

The Alabama Crimson Tide produced 10 selections in the 2023 NFL Draft, tying for the highest mark in the country. Unfortunately, one year later, one of those picks was released prematurely. The Las Vegas Raiders cut 2023 third-round pick Byron Young from their 53-man roster just one year after drafting him.

The Raiders are looking to stash Young on their practice squad as they enter the 2024 NFL season.

The 6-foot-3, 292-pounder is only 23 years old, but the 70th overall pick failed to show enough as a pass-rusher to earn his active roster spot. He played in six games last year despite the Raiders' need at the position. Young produced only four tackles.

Things were different while Young was at Alabama.

Young was a highly ranked top-100 national prospect coming from Laurel, Mississippi, when he committed to the Tide. In his first year in 2019 as a true freshman, he earned a starting spot in five games, accumulating 23 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, over 13 games.

The subsequent year, as the team clinched the national title, Young took part in 13 games, achieving 29 tackles, 6.5 of which were for a loss, including a sack, and started in one game.

Moving into his junior year, he increased his participation to starting seven times in 15 games, with a tally of 40 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and two sacks. In 2022, he solidified his place by starting in all 13 games, reaching career peaks with 47 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and four sacks, along with two pass breakups.

Here's how NFL.com characterized Young coming out of Alabama:

Interior defensive lineman with the play traits and versatility to align in odd or even fronts. Young has decent length and is well-schooled at attacking blocks with good technical savvy. He’s much better as a read-react defender than a one-gapper and must win with power and balance over quickness. He’s likely to fit into a rotational role early on but could develop into an average starter down the road.