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LOOK: Alabama kicks off Heisman campaign for Will Anderson

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•12/03/21•

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Will Anderson-Jr-on-Alabama-Crimson-Tide-defense-championship-mindset-2021-season
Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Alabama has the favorite for the Heisman Trophy on its roster. So, ahead of the SEC Championship this weekend, the Crimson Tide are starting to build some Heisman hype.

There’s one catch, though. They’re not promoting quarterback Bryce Young for Heisman. They’re campaigning for linebacker Will Anderson.

This is unusual for Alabama, which doesn’t usually promote players for the Heisman. It’s even more unusual considering Young started this week as the favorite for the award, according to Vegas Insider.

Anderson is in Vegas Insider’s top 10 odds, but opened the week as a hefty underdog at +8000. Young, meanwhile, was -200 after the regular season.

Anderson’s having a great year, though. He leads the nation with 14.5 sacks in addition to 85 tackles — including 49 solo tackles — and 29.5 tackles for loss this season.

No. 3 Alabama and its Heisman contenders are getting ready for a huge game this week against No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship on Saturday. It’ll be a tough task for the Crimson Tide, who are going up against the nation’s top defense.

Updated Heisman odds following final week of regular season

Following the last games of the regular season, Vegas Insider has released their updated Heisman odds.

Through three quarters against Auburn, it looked like Bryce Young may have lost his Heisman chance. Then, his moment came — the quarterback led a furious Alabama comeback victory in the Iron Bowl.

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In the end, Young’s final stat-line wasn’t another five-hundred-yard, five touchdown performance. Still, 317 yards and two touchdowns isn’t too shabby.

Moreover, Young’s biggest competition didn’t have a great Heisman campaign day on Saturday. Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud wasn’t victorious against Michigan. While he threw for 394 yards and two touchdowns, the Buckeyes suffered their second loss of the season.

If Young can defeat the Georgia Bulldogs this weekend, he may earn Alabama’s second consecutive Heisman. He has his best opportunity ahead of him — while Stroud’s is in the rearview. Still, he’ll be facing the No. 1 defense in the country. Georgia’s averaging 6.9 points allowed per game.

A brand new challenger also emerged in the Vegas odds after a massive Week 13 game. Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson posted seven tackles with three sacks versus Ohio State.

Updated Heisman odds

Bryce Young, Alabama, QB -200
CJ Stroud, Ohio State, QB +450
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh, QB +1600
Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State, RB +2000
Matt Corral, Ole Miss, QB +2500
Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan, DE +2500
Jordan Davis, Georgia, DT +4000
Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati, QB +5000
Cade McNamara, Michigan, QB +8000
Sam Hartman, Wake Forest, QB +8000
Will Anderson, Jr., Alabama, LB +8000