Bryce Young earned the 2021 Heisman Trophy as Alabama’s star quarterback following an impressive season completing 366 of 547 passes for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns, leading the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff national championship game. Despite Young’s individual success, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who left Alabama after the 2020 national championship year and later set an NFL rookie record with 104 receptions for the Miami Dolphins, insists he deserves a share of Young’s Heisman Trophy.
Waddle expressed his claim during a recent episode of The Set podcast, stating that he had a significant role in Young’s recruiting to Alabama.
“I got to take some credit because I had Bryce Young as a recruit,”
Waddle said.
“He was committed to USC… I had him as a recruit. He switched to Alabama. I feel like I need half of that Heisman from Alabama. I feel like I need half of the Heisman. Not the whole thing. Just send me half of it. That’s all I ask Alabama to do. That’s my recruit, bro. That’s my recruit. I switched him.”
How Waddle Influenced Young’s Decision to Join Alabama
Waddle recounted his role in Young’s decision to commit to Alabama, describing how much of the recruiting visit involved just hanging out and keeping things relaxed. As Young’s host during the visit, Waddle said the quarterback was more interested in playing video games than making campus tours or visits.
“Bryce ain’t want to do nothing but play (NBA) 2K,”
Waddle said.
“He played 2K against Pat Surtain. Pat was my roommate. Bryce from Cali, bro. He don’t want to do nothing: ‘I want to play 2K.’ We scooped him from—what’s it called? Me, him and (Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian) chop it up, this, that and the third. Take bro back with us. He just want to play 2K. Play 2K one, two hours. Back to where we got him. I think he ate or something like that. Went to eat and played 2K and just chilling, just vibing. Good vibes because ain’t nothing to do in Alabama. Nothing to do. … Send half of it. That’s all I ask. Send half of it. Send half of it, Bryce. Come on, I’m telling you. Send half of it, bro.”
Young and Waddle’s Paths Crossing in the NFL
Bryce Young entered the NFL as the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, selected by the Carolina Panthers, joining Jaylen Waddle, who had already established himself as a standout rookie with the Miami Dolphins. Their intertwined careers, starting from college recruitment to professional competition, highlight the ongoing connection between the two players.
Waddle’s assertion about sharing credit for the Heisman Trophy underlines the intense and sometimes complicated relationships behind college football successes and NFL careers, especially for players whose journeys overlap significantly during recruitment and early development.
