Seahawks Week 17 Predictions: Odds, Picks & Key Matchups vs Panthers

**Bryce Young** is a professional quarterback currently with the NFL's Carolina Panthers[2]. Born July 25, 2001, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Young moved to Pasadena, California, where he attended Cathedral High School in Los Angeles[2]. He was a five-star recruit and the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the 2020 class before committing to the University of Alabama[2]. At Alabama, Young emerged as one of college football's elite quarterbacks. After backing up Mac Jones during his freshman year, he earned the starting job and had a remarkable 2021 season, setting Alabama single-season records with 4,872 passing yards and 47 touchdowns[1]. That year, he won the Heisman Trophy and was named a permanent team captain[1]. Young finished his college career with a 23-4 record as a starting quarterback, the eighth-winningest in Alabama history[2]. He was notably the only quarterback in Alabama history to throw for 3,000-plus yards in two separate seasons[1]. Despite his exceptional college performance, Young measured 5'10" and weighed 204 pounds at the NFL Combine—undersized for the quarterback position[2]. The Carolina Panthers selected him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, making him the third quarterback taken by the franchise in the first round[3]. Young's NFL debut proved challenging. In his 2023 rookie season under head coach Frank Reich, he struggled significantly, with the Panthers ranking near the bottom in offensive statistics and averaging fewer than 14 points per game[2]. He completed 73.69% of his passes for 2,877 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions over 16 games[3]. Seeking improvement, the Panthers hired Dave Canales as head coach and added skill position players including Diontae Johnson, Jonathan Brooks, and Ja'Tavion Sanders, along with offensive line upgrades[2]. These changes aim to provide Young with better support and coaching to revitalize his NFL career.

Zach Charbonnet is an American professional football **running back** for the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League.[1] Born on January 8, 2001, in Bellflower, California, he attended Oaks Christian School in Camarillo, California, where he helped his team win four consecutive league championships.[2] Charbonnet began his college football career at the University of Michigan in 2019. As a true freshman, he made an immediate impact by starting in Michigan's season opener—becoming the first Wolverine true freshman to start at tailback in a season opener since 2008.[2] During his freshman year, he appeared in all 13 games, recording 149 carries for 726 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning the team's Offensive Rookie of the Year award.[2] In his sophomore season, he rushed 82 times for 844 yards and 23 touchdowns.[2] In January 2021, Charbonnet transferred to UCLA, taking advantage of the NCAA's new transfer rules that eliminated sitting-out requirements.[4] At UCLA, he significantly elevated his performance. During the 2022 season, he rushed for 1,359 yards and 14 touchdowns while catching 37 passes for 321 yards. He was named a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and led the nation with 168 all-purpose yards per game.[1] Following his standout college career, Charbonnet entered the 2023 NFL Draft and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round as the 52nd overall pick.[1] In his rookie NFL season in 2023, he played in all 16 games with three starts, recording 108 carries for 462 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, along with 33 receptions for 209 receiving yards.[1] He scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys on a one-yard run.[1]