BREAKING: Former Alabama QB Bryce Young Named ESPN College GameDay Guest Picker for Alabama-Georgia
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama football fans are about to get a very familiar face back in Tuscaloosa.
Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback and 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young has been announced as the celebrity guest picker for ESPN's College GameDay ahead of Saturday night's massive showdown between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs.
The announcement was made Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show, confirming that Young will return to the place where he became one of the biggest stars in college football.
Bryce Young Is Coming Home
Young's return comes at the perfect time.
The Carolina Panthers quarterback has a bye week this weekend, giving him the opportunity to make the trip back to Tuscaloosa for one of the biggest games on Alabama's 2026 schedule.
For Alabama fans, Young is much more than a former quarterback.
He was the leader of the Crimson Tide offense, a Heisman Trophy winner and one of the most celebrated players of the Nick Saban era.
During his Alabama career, Young completed 65.8% of his passes for 8,356 yards and 80 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions. His 2021 season ultimately earned him the Heisman Trophy.
A Perfect Guest Picker for Alabama vs. Georgia
Young's connection to this matchup makes his appearance even more interesting.
As Alabama's starting quarterback, Young experienced both sides of the rivalry against Georgia.
He led Alabama to a victory over the Bulldogs in the 2021 SEC Championship Game before Georgia got revenge in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game a little more than a month later.
Now, years later, Young will be back in Tuscaloosa with a microphone in front of him—and he'll have to make his pick.
Will he take his former team?
Most Alabama fans probably already know what they expect.
Young Is Also Having a Strong 2026 NFL Season
Young isn't returning to Alabama simply as a nostalgic former player.
The Panthers quarterback has been putting together an impressive start to the 2026 NFL season.
Through four games, Young leads the NFL with 1,268 passing yards, while completing 62.3% of his passes with nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
That makes his return to Tuscaloosa even more intriguing. Alabama fans will get to see one of their former stars enjoying a strong NFL campaign while also weighing in on the biggest college football game of the weekend.
College GameDay Moves Inside Coleman Coliseum
There is another major development surrounding Saturday's College GameDay broadcast.
Because of the threat of Hurricane Isaias and expected inclement weather, the show will be broadcast from inside Coleman Coliseum rather than its usual outdoor location on Alabama's campus.
ESPN's College GameDay is scheduled to air Saturday morning ahead of the Alabama-Georgia matchup.
That means Alabama fans will get a unique combination: a massive SEC showdown, a former Heisman-winning quarterback returning home and Bryce Young making his official guest-pick prediction.
What Will Bryce Young Pick?
That's the question everyone will be waiting to hear.
Young has already experienced the emotional highs and lows of Alabama-Georgia football. His history with the Bulldogs makes his prediction particularly interesting.
Will he confidently select Alabama?
Will he surprise everyone and pick Georgia?
Or will Young give a more cautious prediction before kickoff?
Whatever happens, his appearance should generate plenty of conversation among Alabama and Georgia fans.
Alabama Fans Are Ready
The Alabama-Georgia matchup is already one of the biggest games of the college football season, with No. 2 Georgia traveling to face No. 6 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. ESPN has identified the matchup as one of the marquee games of Week 6.
Adding Bryce Young to College GameDay only increases the anticipation.
For Alabama supporters, seeing Young back in Tuscaloosa should be a special moment. The former Crimson Tide quarterback helped create unforgettable memories during his time at Alabama, and now he'll return to his old home for another chapter in his football journey.
Final Thoughts
Bryce Young returning to Tuscaloosa as ESPN College GameDay's celebrity guest picker is almost perfect timing.
He's coming off a strong start to his NFL season, the Panthers have a bye week, and his former school is preparing for one of its biggest games of the year.
Now there's only one thing left to find out:
Will Bryce Young pick Alabama to beat Georgia? 👀
Alabama fans, what do you think?
ROLL TIDE!