Bryce Young Likely Sealed His Heisman Fate in SEC Championship
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has been the Heisman for much of the 2021 season, but his performance in the SEC Championship vs Georgia might have sealed his victory.
Not only did Young have an incredible stat line: 26-of-44, 421 yards, and 3 TD's, plus 40 rushing yards and a rushing TD, but also performed like that against the No.1 team in the country and scored 41 points against the best defense in the country, the most by any Bulldogs opponent this season.
Tonight, Young broke two records: the most passing yards in a SEC Championship half (286) and game (421.)
Young's awareness around him is nothing short of excellent. His lateral to Robinson while being tackled, his pass to Billingsley half way on the ground, and his fumble recovery while being hit, all in the first half, is just a fraction of the positive plays he turns out of bad seeming situations.
His accuracy and dual threat super powers are two of the many reasons he and this Crimson Tide offense is so dangerous and explosive.
Although there have been some struggles throughout this season for Alabama, Bryce is the reason for some key victories that pushed this team to win the SEC. Young propelled the Tide down the field in 1:32 to score the game-tying touchdown in the Iron Bowl, sending it into overtime, also scoring a touchdown and three 2-pt conversions to seal the 4 OT win.
Additionally, he had two significant drives this season to help secure crucial wins: the FG drive with 9 minutes to go in the game to put Alabama up two scores vs. Florida, and the touchdown drive late in the fourth to give Alabama the two possession lead vs. Arkansas. Both ended up being one possession final scores.
In the regular season (excluding SEC Championship), Young threw for 3,901 yards, the sixth most in CFB; scored 40 passing touchdowns, tied for second most in the country; 4 INT's, ranked 10th; and has a 86.7 QBR, the fourth highest, according to ESPN.
The 2021 Heisman Finalists come out early next week. The Top-10 Heisman Finalist Show is on Thursday, December 9 at 9:00 p.m. EST on ESPN. The 2021 Heisman Trophy Presentation will be Saturday, December 11, at 8:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.