Two Tide Players Named Heisman Finalists

The 82nd Heisman Trophy will be awarded on Thursday, Jan. 5 in a virtual format due to COVID-19. Tonight the Heisman Trophy Trust announced the finalists for college football's most prestigious individual award.

The Alabama Crimson Tide has had two Heisman Trophy winners in its history, Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry, but due to a historic 2020 season the Tide saw two players named as finalists for the award. Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith and Najee Harris were all named finalists for the bronze statue.

Smith, the current betting favorite to win the award, is seeking to become the first receiver to win the award since Desmond Howard won it with the Maize and Blue of Michigan in 1991. Smith has racked up 98 receptions for 1,511 yards and 17 touchdowns, he also has one rushing score and one punt return for a TD as well. He leads the nation in receiving yards and is second in the nation in receiving touchdowns.

Jones is attempting to become the first Alabama quarterback to take home the 45-pound trophy. He directed the Crimson Tide to an undefeated 11-0 record and orchestrated an offense that averaged 49.7 points per game. Jones threw for 3,739 yards and 32 touchdowns this season while maintaining a 76% completion percentage.

Harris is striving to continue the Alabama tradition of Heisman Trophy winning running backs. The senior from California rushed for 1,262 yards and 24 touchdowns while also adding three scores through the air. Harris now owns the Alabama career record for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. He set an SEC record with five total touchdowns in the SEC Championship against Florida.

The Heisman Trophy Finalists were named in alphabetical order, Mac Jones, Trevor Lawrence, DeVonta Smith and Kyle Trask. The remainder were presented in this order.

5. Najee Harris, Alabama

6. Breece Hall, Iowa State

7. Justin Fields, Ohio State

8. Zach Wilson, BYU

9. Ian Book, Notre Dame

10. Kyle Pitts, Florida