Saturday Spotlight
The 2021 Heisman Trophy Preview
1. Bryce Young (Alabama)- I knew he would be special from the first moment I watched him play. In the opener against the Miami Hurricanes, To be so young, he displays some of the best pocket presence I’ve seen from a quarterback at the college level. Bryce makes effortless passes and hits his intended receivers in stride every single time. It’s the touch on each pass. He reminds me so much of Russell Wilson with the way he throws the ball. Alabama remained in every game because of him. Here’s the scary thing. He’s only a true sophomore and has so much more room to grow as a football player. This was his first year starting for the Alabama Crimson Tide. They will only get better, of course.
2. C.J. Stroud (Ohio State)- I can admit being critical of him early on in the season. I felt he was pressing at times, but I also realized he was a Redshirt Freshman and was still learning. Once he got settled in, he never looked back. C.J. is a true pocket passer. He blended in perfectly for this Buckeyes offense. Every week, C.J. was climbing the ladder and improving as a quarterback. The more he was able to settle in, the better he looked. C.J. also had three talented receivers to get the ball too in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. His game against the Michigan State Spartans was hands down his best when he threw six touchdown passes. Despite not making the College Football Playoff, C.J. helped lead the Buckeyes to the number one scoring offense which averaged 551.4 yards per contest and he also completed 70 percent of his passes.
3. Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh)- He’s come a long way. I remember when he started his first game in 2017 against a then-second ranked Miami Hurricanes. They would go on to upset Miami that day. Fast forward to now, the Pittsburgh Panthers are ACC Champions for the first time in school history. Let’s put it this way. Pittsburgh wouldn’t be playing in a New Years’ Six bowl game if it’s not for Kenny Pickett. When you watch him play, you see the true dual threat quarterback in action. He runs the RPO to perfection and has wheels in the open field with the ball in his hands. Kenny has excellent pocket presence and when he throws the football, it’s a simple flick of the wrist. He can throw from the pocket, a moving pocket and places the football exactly where it needs to be. I see a quicker Justin Herbert when I watch him play. Kenny finished his 2021 season with 42 touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
4. Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)- It’s always great to see a defensive player get this invitation to New York City. Last year, he fractured his ankle and was lost for the season. He had the chance to enter the NFL Draft, but decided to return to Ann Arbor for “One Last Dance”. That decision paid off for Aidan and he was a key contributor to a Michigan defense that rebounded and became one of the best in the country yet again. His quickness off the snap of the ball is incredible. He has one goal and it’s to get to that quarterback. Aidan is also versatile as he can line up on the edge or in the interior. If you don’t circle in on him, he wrecks your game plan. Against Ohio State, he had the game of his life. Aidan recorded three sacks and the Buckeyes struggled to contain him. He’s a slightly more explosive Joey Bosa to me. Aidan finished his senior years with 58 total tackles, 14 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Prediction: Last year, DeVonta Smith was named the Heisman winner. This year, Bryce Young will bring the award back to Tuscaloosa and be named the 87th winner of this prestigious award. Bryce’s ability to throw the ball over the middle and allowing his receivers to make plays after the catch are simply the reason why Alabama is so successful offensively. I always say every Heisman winner has a Heisman moment or moments. The first was a four overtime game in the Iron Bowl at Auburn. He put the team on his back and never looked back. The next was the big game in the SEC title game against the Georgia Bulldogs who entered that game ranked number one in the polls. Bryce was able to hang 41 on a Georgia defense that was dominant all season long.
