Last year, the Heisman Trophy award ceremony was held in a remote setting, with each finalist joining the show via video from their school. In the end, it was Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith taking home college football‘s most prestigious award. Who will receive the Heisman in 2021, when and where is the ceremony, and what are the latest odds?
When is the Heisman Trophy award ceremony?
- Date:Â Saturday, December 11
- Channel:Â ESPN
- Time:Â 8 PM ET
- Location:Â Lincoln Center, New York
The Heisman Trophy award ceremony’s return to an in-person setting will surely bring more life to one of the most iconic events in football. Additionally, reports are all four finalists will be in attendance. Speaking of…
Heisman Trophy finalists in 2021
- Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
- Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
- Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
- C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The odds of Alabama’s Bryce Young winning the Heisman Trophy were so high that most betting sites, including DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel, took them down. FanDuel’s last odds had Young winning the award at -6000, with Aidan Hutchinson (+1800), Kenny Pickett (+3000), and C.J. Stroud (+4000) trailing by a wide margin.
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While the Heisman Trophy is meant to honor the most outstanding college football player, it has largely been a quarterback award — much like the NFL’s MVP. Since 2000, there have only been four non-QBs to hoist the trophy, and that’s if you count Reggie Bush’s 2005 victory. Interestingly, the other three victors were from Alabama: RB Mark Ingram (2009), RB Derrick Henry (2015), and WR DeVonta Smith (2020).
Which schools possess the most winners in the history of the award? I’m glad you asked! There is a tie for the national lead of seven between Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Oklahoma. USC is alone in second with six, including Bush’s vacated trophy. Coming in third is Alabama, Army, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, and Nebraska (all with three).
The case for each finalist to win the Heisman Trophy in 2021
Although Young will most likely reign victorious, there is a reason the other three athletes made it to the final four. Let’s offer a SparkNotes version of each finalist’s case to take home the 2021 Heisman Trophy.
Bryce Young, Alabama
Young is the offensive leader of the No. 1 team in the country, which is a big plus. He’s also thrown the fourth-most yards (4,310) and second-most touchdowns (42) against just 4 interceptions. His poise as a first-year starter and true sophomore is beyond jaw-dropping, making him an easy choice for the Heisman — and for a top-three pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
He’s already received the Maxwell Award for the Player of the Year and the Davey O’Brien Award, so Young is just stat-padding at this point.
Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
Hutchinson has been on a tear this year, providing a catalyst that has propelled Michigan to their first College Football Playoff appearance. He’s racked up 14 sacks (second-most), 58 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 pass deflections. The stats tell one story, but the tape tells another. Hutchinson was unstoppable against the run, and he created pressure with ease off the edge.
It’s rare to see a defensive player among the finalists, let alone win the award. However, Hutchinson deserves it as his impact has been unquantifiable for the Wolverines. The last defender to win the Heisman? Michigan’s very own Charles Woodson back in 1997.
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Pickett threw more touchdowns this season (42) than he did in his four years prior (39). If that isn’t impressive enough, Pitt’s signal-caller threw for the fifth-most yards in the nation (4,308) while tossing just 7 picks. His name can be found all over Pitt’s record books, including top spots in career passing yards, single-season passing yards, single-game passing yards, career passing touchdowns, and single-game passing touchdowns.
Pickett may not leave New York with the Heisman, but he landed the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the most outstanding senior quarterback.
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Last but certainly not least, Ohio State’s Stroud. The second-year QB picked up right where first-round pick and current Chicago Bears starter Justin Fields left off. Stroud led the Buckeyes to the No. 1 offense in the country, generating 551.1 yards and 45.5 points per game. He was first among QBs with 300-plus dropbacks in yards per attempt (9.8) and was fourth in completion rate (70.7%).
In total, Stroud amassed 3,862 passing yards, 38 TDs, and 5 INTs. Yes, he and Ohio State dropped the ball against Oregon and Michigan, but that does little to take away from his stellar campaign.
