The weekend is over, but Alabama football fans are still rejoicing.
Students on the University of Alabama campus and supporters of the program witnessed their first Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback.
Bryce Young made people proud to wear the “script A” on their chest. He delivered a touching speech at the Heisman Memorial Trophy presentation and heard an incredible tribute from his former roommate, DeVonta Smith.
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Young is the fourth Heisman winner of the Nick Saban era and represents a third position to win. As he hoisted the trophy in New York City, three significant things happened for the Crimson Tide. All three are below as Young brought something special to Alabama.
1. Alabama is in the “Quarterback U” conversation
Alabama is known for running backs, wide receivers, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs.
Blake Sims was the first quarterback of the Saban era that brought excitement to the position. He never received the flowers he deserved, but Sims started the process of the Tide having athletic quarterbacks. Sims, Jacob Coker, Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Bryce Young have had impressive numbers. Five of the six totaled 3,000+ passing yards, and four recorded 40+ touchdown tosses. AJ McCarron (2013), Tagovailoa (2018), Jones (2020), and Young (2021) were Heisman finalists.
Tagovailoa and Jones were first-round NFL Draft picks.
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Hurts spent his final collegiate season at Oklahoma, but Dan Enos developed him in 2018 at Alabama. He was a quarterback for three years (2016-18) in Tuscaloosa and is the starter for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Tide now has playmakers at the most important position in football. Young’s moment in New York stamped Alabama in the “Quarterback U” conversation.
People now see the Crimson Tide as a program that develops elite signal-callers.
Recruits that want to be quarterbacks will look at Alabama as a place to be.
2. Nick Saban is the ultimate college football head coach
Nick Saban has answered every challenge since arriving in Tuscaloosa in 2007.
He’s won six national championships, signed several top-ranked recruiting classes, placed 100+ athletes into the NFL Draft, got the best athletes from the transfer portal, replaced assistant coaches each year, and popped out four Heisman Trophy winners.
People wondered if Saban could develop an elite-level quarterback. He did well with Greg McElroy, AJ McCarron, Blake Sims, Jacob Coker, and Jalen Hurts. Tua Tagovailoa became the first elite quarterback recruit that excelled at Alabama. Mac Jones grew into an elite talent, and Bryce Young arrived in 2020 as the No. 1 dual-threat prospect in the nation. Saban has developed Young into the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year, Associated Press Player of the Year, Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Year, Maxwell Award Player of the Year, and a Heisman Trophy winner. Saban continues to prove doubters wrong in what he can do.
3. Crimson Tide fans finally got their wish
Alabama fans have wanted a Heisman Trophy quarterback for a long time.
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Supporters got tired of the narrative about how the Crimson Tide can pop Heisman winners at certain positions but not at quarterback. Fans saw Pat Trammel, Bart Starr, Joe Namath, Kenneth Stabler, Walter Lewis, Richard Todd, and many others come through the program.
None hoisted the coveted bronze award as the most outstanding player in college football.
Bryce Young broke through over the weekend. Fans have witnessed schools such as the University of Oklahoma, Baylor University, Texas A&M University, Florida State University, Auburn University, University of Oregon, and Ohio State University have Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks. Young gives the Crimson Tide faithful a Heisman signal-caller.
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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.
