Although Alabama football has a rich history of national championships, the program didn’t win its’ first Heisman Trophy until 2009.
Alabama has won four Heisman Trophy awards in total to include Mark Ingram (2009), Derrick Henry (2015), DeVonta Smith (2020), and Bryce Young (2021).
These were great statistical years with clutch moments that helped solidify the voters’ selections. The team’s success mirrored the individual seasons as Alabama won three national championships during these four seasons.
Below we will relive some of the dramatic Heisman moments, and go through the breakout performances that players put on during these magical seasons.
Mark Ingram, Running Back – 2009
Mark Ingram rushed for 1,658 yards with 334 yards receiving during his Heisman season. He had standout games against South Carolina (246 rushing yards), Ole Miss (172 rushing yards), and in the national championship vs. Texas, winning the game’s MVP. In total, Ingram had nearly 2,000 all purpose yards and scored 20 touchdowns for the Tide. He averaged over six yards per carry, and was the reliable workhorse in Jim McElwain’s pro style offense.
Derrick Henry, Running Back – 2015
Derrick Henry had a record breaking Heisman Trophy season in 2015 setting multiple records that year. Henry set the SEC single season record for rushing yards (2,219), rushing touchdowns (28), and rushing attempts (395). Henry won a tight Heisman race against college football greats Deshaun Watson (Clemson) and Christian McCaffrey (Stanford). Henry capped his season as Alabama beat Clemson in the national championship. Henry rushed for 158 yards and scored 3 touchdowns.
DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver – 2020
In 2020, DeVonta Smith became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991. Smith led the entire FBS with 117 receptions, 1,856 yards, and 23 touchdowns. Smith was known to be an explosive playmaker who could take the lid off a defense. He was a spectacular route runner who consistently got open and picked up YAC yards. He was a dynamic threat who garnered lots of attention from defenses and still could not be stopped. Smith capped his career with an MVP in the national championship game with 12 catches, 217 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
Bryce Young, Quarterback – 2021
Bryce Young became one of the youngest players in the history of college football to win the Heisman as a 20-year-old sophomore. Young led the country in passing with 4,872 yards, 47 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He threw for 559 yards against Arkansas and 421 yards against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. The Tide came up short in the national championship vs. the Bulldogs, however, as Alabama suffered two key injuries with wide receivers Jameson Williams and John Metchie III being forced out of the lineup. Young followed this season with another solid statistical year. He was selected No. 1 overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 NFL draft.
Alabama has a rich history of national championships, All-America selections, and NFL draft picks. However, it was fitting to see the Tide win several Heisman Trophies in the Nick Saban Era. These players capped their record breaking seasons with memorable moments working their way into the hearts of the Alabama faithful.
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