Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud went first and second, respectively, in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Despite their pairing in the draft, the quarterbacks had vastly divergent rookie seasons.

Young completed 315-of-527 passes for 2,877 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 16 games as the Carolina Panthers posted a 2-15 record.

Stroud completed 319-of-499 passes for 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 games as the Houston Texans went 10-7, captured the AFC South crown and won a playoff game.

Young and Stroud have known each other since they were kids in California, and Young’s rookie performance hasn’t discouraged Stroud about his friend’s NFL future.

“What I told him was a lot of stuff is not in our control,” Stroud said during an appearance this week on “The Pivot Podcast.” “One thing I’ve learned, even through college, is really it’s up to you to figure it out. It’s sad to say that, but it’s what it is because we’re the ones being talked about. They’re not going to talk about the right guard, they’re not going to talk about the safety, they’re not going to talk about the corners. They’re going to talk about the quarterback. We’re those guys. We signed up for that.

“In his shoes, I feel a lot of stuff didn’t go his way that was out of his control. You know, like, you can’t make a play if somebody don’t block. You can’t make a play if someone don’t catch the ball. When you watch the tape, Bryce did a lot of great things. He’s going to be a great player, but it takes time.

“I came into a situation where we were struggling, I know, but we still had a lot of good pieces, and Nick Caserio, our GM, brought in a lot of good vets. DeMeco (Ryans) was the perfect coach for our type of team.

“Everybody’s path is different. Maybe I had a good rookie year, and Bryce is going to have a great second year. Hopefully, I do, too. I know everything’s going to be fine for him. I told him, ‘You the one. You the one for a reason.’ And he’s not going to, but ‘Don’t ever look at yourself different, bro. Ever.’”

In Houston, Caserio hired Ryans last offseason, and in his first season as a head coach, the former Alabama All-American led the turnaround of a team that won three games in 2022.

In Carolina, the Panthers hired former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich to lead the team before drafting Young. Reich got fired when Carolina won one of its first 11 games.

Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer was fired after the season.

RELATED: NEW CAROLINA COACH ON BRYCE YOUNG: ‘HE’S THE RIGHT GUY’

Former Carolina linebacker Dan Morgan is the new general manager, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales has come aboard as the head coach for the 2024 campaign.

“He cares a lot,” Stroud said of Young. “I know that’s going to take him home.”

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

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