Broncos receiver claims half of Heisman from Alabama teammate

Jaylen Waddle believes he is entitled to half of the 2021 Heisman Trophy awarded to Bryce Young. The Denver Broncos wide receiver made the claim on a podcast while discussing his time at the University of Alabama. Waddle credits his role in bringing Young to Tuscaloosa as the basis for his request.

Waddle hosted Young during a recruiting visit in 2019. The two played NBA 2K on a console, with Pat Surtain, Waddle's roommate at the time, also participating. Young was committed to the University of Southern California at the time. The session convinced the five-star quarterback to switch his pledge to the Crimson Tide.

"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.'"

Young arrived in Alabama in 2020. He joined Waddle and Surtain on the team that won the national championship that season. Mac Jones started at quarterback for head coach Nick Saban, so Waddle did not catch a pass from Young during that year. Both Waddle and Surtain declared for the NFL draft the following spring.

In 2021, Young completed 366 of 547 passes for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns. The Crimson Tide advanced to the College Football Playoff National Championship. Young won the Heisman Trophy for his performance that year. Waddle, who had already entered the league, took partial credit for the achievement.

"I feel like I should get half of that Heisman. They should just send half of it to me," Waddle said with a laugh.

The two former Alabama teammates will face each other in Carolina on Sunday. Young is in his fourth season with the Panthers and is on pace for a career year. Waddle described Young as a "baller" during a session on Friday.

Waddle is facing a different season. He is on pace to set career lows in several statistical categories over a 17-game schedule. The wide receiver is not concerned with individual numbers. "We’re winning. That cures all. Wins is ultimately what it comes down to," Waddle said.

The Panthers will be missing four of their top cornerbacks on Sunday. Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, and Akayleb Evans are on injured reserve. Will Lee III has been ruled out for the game. Waddle has not surpassed the 50-yard receiving mark this season since a Week 2 performance against the Jaguars. In that game, he caught eight passes for 138 yards.

Quarterback Bo Nix targets Waddle frequently. The receiver leads Denver in targets and has been targeted at least five times in every game since the season-opening loss to the Chiefs. Nix expects Waddle to find his rhythm. "He’s dynamic, he’s quick … We’re going to need his plays down the stretch," Nix said. "I just think he’s getting more and more comfortable."