Alabama quarterback Bryce Young wins 2021 Davey O'Brien Award

Alabama Crimson Tide sophomore quarterback Bryce Young won the 2021 Davey O’Brien Award on Thursday night on ESPN. The Davey O’Brien Award is the annual honor for the nation’s best quarterback and it is Alabama’s second in a row.

Bryce Young follows in the footsteps of his former teammate Mac Jones, the 2020 O’Brien Award winner. The California native has led the Crimson Tide to a one-loss season with an SEC Championship title and a place in the Cotton Bowl.

Young has thrown 43 passing touchdowns this season, a number that ranks second in FBS. His 4,322 yards through the air are fourth in the nation and second in the SEC. Should he claim the Heisman Trophy, Young would be the first Alabama quarterback to do so. He is the favorite to win the award, which will be presented on Saturday.

One of Bryce Young’s most impressive performances to date came last Saturday versus then-No. 1 Georgia. The Bulldogs possessed a defense that held teams to 6.9 points per game, but Young threw for 421 yards and three touchdowns to win.

Next, Bryce Young is up against Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud and Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett for the Heisman.

Bryce Young was one of the most decorated high school quarterbacks coming out of Southern California in the last 25 years. He ranked as the nation’s top-ranked quarterback by all major media outlets in the 2020 recruiting class. He was the No. 3 overall player, according to the On3 Consensus.

Young on potential Heisman Trophy

Heading into what could be a big weekend for Bryce Young, he met with the media Tuesday to share his thoughts on what it would mean to be the first Alabama quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy.

“Obviously it would be a huge blessing to follow the great quarterbacks that we’ve had, and to have this opportunity is a huge blessing and it’s something I don’t take for granted,” Young said. “But I also understand the reason behind it – and that’s us as a unit, us as a team. I’m truly grateful to be in the position that I am.”

Whether he wins the prestigious award or not, Young says it will be an honor just to be in the room.

“I’m looking forward to the experience,” Young said. “I’m looking forward to being around everyone’s who’s up there, being around the other guys that are up there. The whole experience in itself, that’s something that’s invaluable and a blessing to have. Just the opportunity to go to New York … that’s something I’m going to hold onto for the rest of my life. I’m super excited.”