Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young hasn’t played in his first NFL regular-season game yet, but he’s already a team captain.

His teammates voted Young into that position as the former Alabama All-American prepares to start under center for Carolina in his first NFL game on Sunday.

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The first player picked in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young is among 18 players from Alabama high schools and colleges who were chosen as team captains in the NFL this season.

“It’s a real honor,” Young said. “It’s definitely something I don’t take lightly. It means a lot to me to be a captain. I’m super grateful for my teammates for just accepting me and allowing me to come in. This has been a great experience for me. It’s a great locker room, a great coaching staff and everyone just accepted me and allowed me to come in and grow. …

“It’s something that I really take a lot of pride in. It’s a huge honor for me, and, obviously, there’s responsibility that comes with that as well, so I’m excited for that challenge and I don’t take that lightly. It’s definitely a huge honor.”

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The NFL captains with Alabama football roots in 2023 include:

· Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (Alabama), Washington Commanders

· Kicker Daniel Carlson (Auburn), Las Vegas Raiders

· Long snapper Josh Harris (Auburn), Los Angeles Chargers

· Running back Derrick Henry (Alabama), Tennessee Titans

· Wide receiver Tyreek Hill (West Alabama), Miami Dolphins

· Quarterback Jalen Hurts (Alabama), Philadelphia Eagles

· Safety Eddie Jackson (Alabama), Chicago Bears

· Safety Kareem Jackson (Alabama), Denver Broncos

· Running back Josh Jacobs (Alabama), Las Vegas Raiders

· Quarterback Mac Jones (Alabama), New England Patriots

· Center Ryan Kelly (Alabama), Indianapolis Colts

· Safety Xavier McKinney (Alabama), New York Giants

· Linebacker C.J. Mosley (Theodore, Alabama), New York Jets

· Safety Jeremy Reaves (South Alabama), Washington Commanders

· Wide receiver DeVonta Smith (Alabama), Philadelphia Eagles

· Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama), Miami Dolphins

· Safety Jimmie Ward (Davidson), Houston Texans

· Quarterback Bryce Young (Alabama), Carolina Panthers

All the NFL teams named captains before the 2023 season except the Baltimore Ravens, who choose weekly captains, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with coach Todd Bowles saying the team might announce its captains after the season starts.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.