J.D. PicKell: What Bryce Young needs to do to repeat as Heisman Trophy winner

Only one player in the history of college football has won two Heisman Trophy awards, with Ohio State running back Archie Griffin doing so in 1974 and 1975. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young will be looking to add his name to that list, hopingto make history this upcoming season.

On3’s J.D. PicKell recognized how difficult of a task being named a back-to-back Heisman Trophy winner can be. However, at the end of the day, he still thinks Young is the best player on the best team, which at times, can be how the award is won. PicKell said there will be a ton of pressure surrounding the quarterback and how he responds will be the determining factor.

“It’s so hard to win it back to back and that might be what keeps him from doing it but ultimately, he’s the best player, for a lot of people’s money, on the best team in the country in Alabama,” PicKell said. “That’s just the end of the story. So many other weapons around him as well. I’m interested to see what is it like for him coming off a Heisman Trophy season. How does he handle that pressure?

“Because a year ago, you knew who Bryce Young was, you knew he was going to start for Alabama but right now, he’s got a bullseye the size of the Target logo on him. That’s the reality you’re living in if you’re Byrce Young. So how does he respond to that?”

Bryce Young losing top receivers could hurt Heisman chances

Part of the reason Young was able to put up Heisman-worthy numbers last season was due to wide receivers John Metchie and Jameson Williams. Both had over 1,000 yards receiving and combined for 27 touchdowns.

Losing both to the NFL could hurt Young’s chances of repeating. While Alabama is going to attempt to reload at wide receiver, losing that type of production can be costly — at least when discussing the Heisman Trophy.

“Also, how does he respond to the fact that he lost his two speedboats on the outside in Jameson Williams and John Metchie?,” PicKell said. “I think he’ll be okay but still being able to have the amount of production required to win this award? It’s something I am watching with him really closely.”

Georgia transfer Jermaine Burton is expected to be this season’s top receiver, while Young will also have help in the backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs. If other playmakers across the field can step up and put up similar numbers to Metchie/Williams, Young will find himself with another opportunity to hear his name called in New York City.