Alabama Heisman Trophy Winners
In the entire history of the University of Alabama football which began playing in 1892, the Crimson Tide have fielded four players to win the Heisman Trophy. Remarkably, the first Heisman winner came in 2009 with Mark Ingram II. Since then, three others have won with other players being finalists. Prior to the first win several Alabama players were finalists for the award.
The Heisman Memorial Trophy is a prestigious award presented to the player that most exemplifies “Outstanding performance which best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, hard work.” The award winner is commonly considered the player of the year in college football. Although, it is worth noting, that it is usually awarded to an offensive player, as only one defensive player has won the award which started in 1935. The award is presented by the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City. [1]
Alabama Heisman Trophy Winner #1- Mark Ingram II
Mark Ingram came to Alabama as a running back after being awarded a scholarship in 2008. It is worth noting that Mark’s father also played for Head Coach Nick Saban as a wide receiver during his playing career. In his freshman year, Mark was the back up to Glen Coffee but found playing time in every game of the season. As a Freshman, Mark had 143 carries for 743 yards averaging 5.1 yards per attempt and 12 touchdowns. For his effort he was named to the 2008 SEC All-Freshman team. [2]
In 2009, which would ultimately be Mark Ingram’s Heisman Trophy winning season, he took over as the starting running back and shared time with backup Trent Richardson. For the season Mark’s carries greatly increased with 271 carries totaling 1,658 yards which works out to an incredible 6.1 yards per carry and 17 touchdowns. He also received 32 passes for 334 yards and another 3 touchdowns. On December 12, 2009, Mark Ingram was officially awarded the 75th annual Heisman Trophy in the closest vote in Heisman history, narrowly beating out Toby Gerhart of Stanford by 75 points. Mark would finish the season leading Alabama to their first National Championship since 1992 by beating Texas in the BCS National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl 37-21. He was awarded offensive player of the game honors for his contributions. Ingram also received first team All-SEC and All-American honors for the season.
2010 started slowly for Ingram as he missed the first two games after receiving a minor knee surgery prior to the start of the season. Once getting back onto the field, the defending Heisman winner proved that he was still one of the top running backs in college football where he accumulated 158 carries for 903 yards for a 5.5 yards per carry average and 13 touchdowns. He also received 21 passes for 282 yards and 1 touchdown reception.
Following the 2010 college football season Mark Ingram chose to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft where he was drafted in the first round at the 28th pick to the New Orleans Saints.
Alabama Heisman Winner #2- Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry arrived at Alabama in 2013 after finishing his high school career as the all-time leading rusher in high school football nationally. He received a scholarship and began his career as a backup running back. Derrick Henry found himself down the depth chart behind notable Alabama and future NFL greats T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake. He did see action in 10 games as a true freshman and rushed the ball 35 times for 382 yards with a staggering 10.1 yards per carry and 3 touchdowns. Henry also had 1 reception for 61 yards that resulted in a touchdown. [3]
Coming into his Sophomore season in 2014, Henry found his production increased by splitting time with Yeldon and Drake who was injured for part of the season. Henry appeared in all 14 games and rushed the ball 172 times for 990 yards which is 5.8 yards per carry average and 11 touchdowns. Henry also had 5 receptions for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Entering his junior year in 2015, which would be his Heisman Trophy winning year at Alabama, Henry was firmly listed as the starter, with Kenyan Drake as a reliever. The 2015 Alabama Crimson Tide football team seemed to be built around Derrick Henry, as he received a staggering 395 rushing attempts which gained 2,219 yards which is a 5.6 yard per carry average and 28 touchdowns. Henry became the first player to ever eclipse 2,000 rushing yards in a season in the Southeastern Conference. On December 12, 2015 the Downtown Athletic Club awarded the 81st annual Heisman Trophy to Derrick Henry. The Henry would go on to lead Alabama to the National Championship in a win over Clemson.
After the season, Derrick Henry would decide to enter the NFL draft instead of returning to Alabama for his senior campaign. In the 2016 NFL draft, Henry was picked in the second round at the 45th pick by the Tennessee Titans.
Alabama Heisman Trophy Winner #3- Devonta Smith
Devonta Smith received a scholarship to play wide receiver at the University of Alabama in 2017. Smith played sparingly as a freshman making 8 catches with 160 yards and 3 touchdowns. However, his last catch of the season is immortalized in Alabama lore as he came into the game in the National Championship on 2nd and 26 from the 41 yard line in overtime. Down 3 points, a field goal was needed to force another overtime but a touchdown would win the game and the National Championship for Alabama. He caught a 41 yard touchdown to seal the championship, it was his only catch of the game.
As a Sophomore in 2018, Smith saw an increase in production amongst one of the greatest receiving corps in college football history. He caught 42 passes for 693 yards and 6 touchdowns. Followed by a stellar Junior season in 2019 where he caught 68 passes for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The Covid-19 shortened season of 2020 would be his Senior season, where he stepped onto the national stage as the best player in college football, winning the Heisman Trophy as a receiver, the first receiver to win the award since 1991. In all, Devonta Smith would compile 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns leading Alabama to another college football National Championship. Due to Covid restrictions, the ceremony took place virtually on January 5, 2021 making Smith the 86th Heisman Trophy Winner. [4]
After the season with his eligibility exhausted, Devonta Smith entered the 2021 NFL draft where he was selected in the first round at 10th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Alabama Heisman Trophy Winner #4- Bryce Young
Bryce Young was recruited to the University of Alabama as the #1 high school quarterback recruit in 2020. He would spend the year as a back up to then starter, and Heisman finalist Mac Jones. He did see playing time late in seven ballgames his Freshman season. He completed 13 of 22 passes 156 yards 1 touchdown and no interceptions.
In 2021, Young entered the season as the undisputed starter for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Young had a banner year including a record setting game against Arkansas where he threw for 559 yards which is the most passing yards in a single game by an Alabama quarterback, the record had stood since 1969. Overall, for the season Young threw for 366 of 547 which is a 67% completion rate, totaling 4,872 yards with 47 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Young would lead Alabama to the National Championship Game where they lost to Georgia. Due to his great season, on December 11, 2021 the Downtown Athletic Club awarded Bryce Young with the 87th annual Heisman Trophy.
In 2022, Bryce Young returned as the starting quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. He had another solid year leading Alabama to an 11-2 record including a 45-20 Sugar Bowl victory over Big12 Champion Kansas State, which would be Young’s final game in an Alabama jersey. For the season, Young completed 245 of 380 passes for 3,328 yards with 32 touchdowns to 5 interceptions. Bryce Young missed playing time due to an injury in the middle of the season including missing the entire Texas A&M game.
At the end of the season, Young decided to enter the 2023 NFL draft giving up his eligibility for a senior season. Young would be selected as the first overall pick of the draft to the Carolina Panthers. [5]
References
- Heisman [ Heisman Trust ] August 4, 2024
- On3 [ Mark Ingram Nick Saban Story ] August 4, 2024
- Sporting News [ Derrick Henry High School Stats ] August 4, 2024
- NCAA [ Alabamas Devonta Smith Wins 2020 Heisman ] August 4, 2024
- NFL [ Panthers Select Alabama QB Bryce Young no 1 ] August 4, 2024
Contributors
Last Modified: August 6, 2024