Alabama Football's Bryce Young Wins Heisman In Tide Landslide
Bryce Young became the first Alabama quarterback in history to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night at the Lincoln Center in New York City.
Young, a sophomore from Los Angeles, became the second consecutive Alabama player to win the trophy that has gone to the nation's top college football player since 1935. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith won it last year.
And it wasn't even close.
"This is amazing," Young said at the podium and praised his parents Craig and Julie Young during a ceremony televised live by ESPN. "I'd like to thank my dad for always being there since day one and my mom for always having my back. I'm super grateful."
Young is second in the nation in touchdowns this season with 43 and fourth in passing yards with 4,322. He is fifth in passing efficiency at 175.5 on 314-of-462 passing.
"I couldn't be prouder," his father said.
The Tide's first Heisman winner was tailback Mark Ingram in 2009. Tailback Derrick Henry won the second one in 2015. Young backed up Heisman finalist Alabama quarterback Mac Jones last year.
Alabama won national championships in all three seasons after a player took the Heisman. The No. 1-ranked Tide (12-1) plays No. 4 Cincinnati (13-0) in a College Football Playoff semifinal on Dec. 31 at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas.
Young won with 80 percent of the vote - 684 first place votes for 2,311 total points and took all six voting regions across the country. Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was second with 78 first place votes and 954 points.
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett was third with 28 first place votes and 631 points, while Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud was fourth with 12 first place votes and 399 points.
"It's a team award," said Young, who thanked his offensive line, receivers, running backs, defense as well as head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.
"Bryce is kind of the calm in the midst of chaos," Saban said before the announcement during the ceremony. "He trusts that things are going to work for him."