No one knew Nov. 21, 2020, would be the catalyst for greatness in Alabama football.
The Crimson Tide faced Kentucky at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama had the most explosive offense in the nation under Steve Sarkisian, and Mac Jones was the triggerman at quarterback.
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In the third quarter, a true freshman from California entered the game.
Bryce Young escaped pressure, rolled to his right, and hit DeVonta Smith for an 18-yard touchdown. It was Young’s first career scoring toss, and it led to Smith becoming the first wide receiver in Crimson Tide history to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy.
A year later, Young is now a sophomore, and he recorded an incredible season. Young has 4,322 passing yards, 43 touchdown passes, and 46 total scores. He and Smith were roommates in 2020, but it never crossed Young’s mind that the two would be back-to-back Heisman winners for Alabama.
Saturday night made the dream a reality.
Young is the first Tide quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy under Nick Saban. He is a young man of few words, but Smith spoke a novel honoring his former roommate. He highlighted Young’s patience, poise, talent, hard work, and leadership.
“From the day you stepped on campus, we knew you were different,” Smith said of Young. “People had their doubts. He’s too small, too skinny, they said the same thing about me, but here you are. You are calm. When the world panics, you smile. When your back is against the wall, you fight yourself out. When people ask ‘What’s Bryce Young’s Heisman moment?’ you answered. Ninety-seven yards in 1:37. Then, everyone doubts you again, and again, magic. I remember 2020. You bought into the process; you waited your turn, you developed. Some people might have forgotten your first touchdown pass at Alabama. Little did they know that pass was from one Heisman winner to another. So, from the entire Alabama family, we want to say thank you.”
Smith welcomed Young into the Heisman fraternity. The moment remains surreal for the quarterback.
“Smitty was always a big mentor for me.”
Bryce Young on former @AlabamaFTBL teammate and fellow Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. pic.twitter.com/MPKvDELDLp
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) December 12, 2021
“It was amazing,” Young said about Smith’s tribute to him. “Smitty has always been a mentor to me. When I got there, he welcomed me in with open arms. I was trying to pick his brain. He always stopped to talk about football and life with me. For him to make that speech, it is a whirlwind of emotions for me.”
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Alabama has Heisman winners at running back, wide receiver, and quarterback. Young is the fourth Heisman winner of the Saban era. He will forever enjoy the moment as the Crimson Tide looks to finish the season with a national championship.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
