Zach Wilson Asks Steve Young For One Piece Of Advice Heading Into NFL Career

PROVO, Utah – Former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson has become the big name throughout the NFL Draft process. At this point, Wilson is the consensus mock draft favorite to go to the New York Jets at No. 2.

A big task that awaits the former BYU star is reviving a Jets franchise that hasn’t experienced the Playoffs in 11 years.

Really excited for this-sat down with Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, Justin Fields, Kyle Trask, Trey Lance and Zach Wilson ahead of the #NFLDraft. QB21 is airing April 17-20 across ESPN, ABC and ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/cd0A7QWc74

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) April 15, 2021

What can Wilson do to find success in New York or wherever he may land? To answer that question, Zach Wilson turned to BYU and 49ers legend Steve Young who joined Wilson and Kirk Herbstreit on ESPN’s “QB21” feature spotlighting the possible Jets QB.

Herbstreit asked Wilson if he had any questions or advice from Young as he gets ready for his life to change coming up later this month.

Zach Wilson asks Steve Young for the best way to find success, no matter where he lands

Wilson replied with a question, “What’s the best way to find success no matter where you land, no matter the adversity or whatever circumstances that come upon you? But what’s the best mindset and the best way to handle these things?”

Young, who’s known for Wilson for a handful of years now dating back to when Wilson became a BYU quarterback out of Corner Canyon High School, said, “I’ve talked to your dad a little bit and watched you as you kind of taking these calls from the Jets, from the Jaguars, and now I’m sure the 49ers now that they’ve gotten in line, which is exciting for me.

“I think he’s ready to play now… He’s a settled kid. He’s not going to be overwhelmed in a way.” – Steve Young on Zach Wilson #LocalsInTheNFL #YACPodcast #NFL #FTTB #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL https://t.co/rGVzUvN1Uj

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 4, 2021

“And the tests that they give you, and they give you a playbook and memorize it overnight, and let’s get into it. A good friend of mine is coaching quarterbacks at the Jets and just gave me some insight, and I think you’ve shown that already, Zach. You love the data. It’s boring. It’s where Peyton Manning made his Hall of Fame career; it’s really where Tom Brady made his Hall of Fame career; and the truth is, it’s where Joe Montana made his Hall of Fame career and taught me. In the end, it’s owning the data.”

Young sees the love of football in Wilson

During Wilson’s three years at BYU, he was praised by teammates and coaches for the film study he put into his craft. The drives from Provo to Southern California to see 3DQB trainer and former BYU star John Beck highlight the commitment to the craft and the “grit,” as Steve Young would say.

The perfect landing spot for @BYUfootball QB @zachkapono1 is… 🤔

📺: 2021 #NFLDraft – 4/29 to 5/1 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/PsPqnn9QFJ

— NFL (@NFL) April 14, 2021

“You love the nuances of offensive philosophy and thought. So that will lead you in the right direction, no matter where you go,” Young said to Wilson on ESPN’s QB21. “The one thing about Peyton Manning that I really appreciated is everything, every blitz, every formation; it was reflexive on the field. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, let me go back and think about that for a second.’ Everything is reflexive because he was ingrained in the data of football, and that’s why you love it. So you’re in great shape there.”

Wilson will officially find out where he will be selected later this month when the NFL Draft occurs in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 29th-May 1st.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.