Count Steve Smith as a huge fan of Bryce Young.

The former Carolina Panthers wide receiver sat down for an interview with Young shortly after the former Alabama quarterback completed his throwing session during the Crimson Tide’s pro day in Tuscaloosa.

“There’s two things I know very well: Orange juice and quarterbacks,” Smith started.

He pointed to three aspects of the day that told the story for Young.

“The way you threw the corner route, it was about a step and a half before the receiver gave the indicator,” he explained. … “That’s a plus.

“Going across the middle, you are the most accurate and highest completion rate, so you understand the throwing lanes.

“More than anything your quick feet. Quick feet. The way you hold the ball, your quick release. Everything I’ve seen out there, I’ve seen bigger and more athletic quarterbacks not be able to anticipate the throw. That’s a knock on anybody. … I’m just talking overall in the evaluation process of a guy that is smaller in the measurables but has the heart and the desire to play.”

Smith’s Panthers, of course, have the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. It is clear what Smith thinks Carolina should do with the first pick.

“Man, I’m 45 years old, and I could have run those routes,” he said. “The way you were guiding the ball. It was remarkable. … What a wonderful, wonderful display of why you deserve to be the first overall quarterback to be picked in this year’s draft.”

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.