Alabama Has 2 'Sleeper' Candidates For the Heisman Trophy

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The Alabama Crimson Tide aren't a favorite to win the SEC after making their first appearance in the College Football Playoff under head coach Kalen DeBoer. 

Still, Alabama should be ranked near the top 15 before Week 1, and the team has a chance to prove the doubters wrong depending on how DeBoer can get his young players on offense to develop this summer. 

How long the Crimson Tide stay in the CFP chase will depend on how Ty Simpson's successor plays this fall. 

Blake Toppmeyer of USA Today listed quarterback Keelon Russell as a "sleeper" candidate to win the Heisman Trophy this year, though he isn't a lock to start in Week 1 amid a battle with Austin Mack.

"First, Russell must win the quarterback job," Toppmeyer wrote. "He’s in a battle with veteran backup Austin Mack, who has more experience, but if Alabama is going to make the playoff, it needs a quarterback with superstar potential. That’s Russell.

"A former five-star recruit, he’s a dual threat who outperformed Mack in the spring game. As Alabama defensive back Bray Hubbard put it, if you want to know how good Russell’s arm is, close your eyes and listen to him throw. The ball sizzles."

Depending on how Mack or Russell play this fall, another player on the Alabama offense could make a run at the Heisman Trophy. Toppmeyer thinks it's a long shot, but listed receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams as another "sleeper" to win college football’s greatest individual prize.

"Coleman-Williams endured a bit of a sophomore slump following a freshman All-American season," Toppmeyer wrote. "He has become a major dark horse for the Heisman, but this is still the guy who once had 177 receiving yards against Georgia as a 17-year-old. 

"He has added “Coleman” to his jersey surname to honor his mom. He also changed numbers. It’s all part of an effort to leave last year behind. He’s still just 19. He needs this to be a coming-of-age season."

The Crimson Tide have a lot of potential on the roster. If DeBoer can get his players to overachieve this fall, they could be a threat to make a run in the CFP. 

If not, it could be a long season in Tuscaloosa.

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