2020 Heisman Trophy rankings: Justin Fields, Trevor Lawrence lead top 10 candidates

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 07: Justin Fields #01 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after a touchdown in the Big Ten Championship game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 9: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Alabama Crimson Tide catches a pass for a touchdown during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 38-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

9. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Whether through the lens of a college football fan or a pro football fan looking ahead to the 2020 NFL Draft, you’ve likely heard about the trio of Alabama Crimson Tide wide receivers that buoyed the offense for much of the season. Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith are all studs in their own right. However, the player who will be left behind as those three head to the NFL will be sophomore Jaylen Waddle, who is far from a slouch in his own right.

After a tremendous freshman campaign in 2018 (848 yards, seven touchdowns), Waddle actually took a step back statistically this past season, though he was still quite good considering the three players he was playing behind. The sophomore wideout caught 32 passes for 553 yards and six touchdowns on the season, showing he’s still a big play waiting to happen.

Where Waddle really took a big step forward in the 2019 season, though, was as a return man, a role in which he shined and that could help strengthen his Heisman candidacy moving forward. He took 19 punt returns on the season for 474 yards and one touchdown while also returning four kickoffs for 152 yards, including a 98-yard run-back for a touchdown.

There remains uncertainty about whether Tua Tagovailoa will return to Alabama or not. But whether it’s Tua or Mac Jones throwing the ball, Waddle will be the No. 1 option in the passing offense. That bodes well for the numbers he’s capable of putting up, both in terms of opportunity and the talent that he’s already put on display, as he could benefit from sharing less of the load than his predecessors had to.

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