Former Heisman Trophy winner not sold on Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa being favorite for award this season

Alabama sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t have much college playing experience. Yet, Westgate Las Vegas Superbook has him listed as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy this season.

Tagovailoa hasn’t even been announced as the Crimson Tide’s starter yet. He is in a quarterback competition with junior Jalen Hurts, who has started every Alabama game over the past two seasons.

And that’s why Desmond Howard, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1991 while playing for Michigan, isn’t sold on Tagovailoa as a favorite to win the award this year.

“You can’t play one half and a couple of extra innings of football and now he’s the favorite over [Stanford running back] Bryce Love,” Howard said on ESPN SportsCenter on Wednesday.

Tagovailoa led Alabama to the national championship last season after Hurts was benched to start the second half of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Tagovailoa threw a game-winning touchdown pass in overtime to beat Georgia and win the national title.

Love, Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor and Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate are also top picks by sportsbooks to win the Heisman this season. However, those players all have more experience than Tagovailoa and seem like safer picks to win the award.

If Tagovailoa wins the starting job, then it’s certainly a possibility he will live up to the hype and potential and have a strong season for the Tide.

Coach Nick Saban will soon have to make a decision. Alabama opens the season against Louisville at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Sept. 1.

Jake Rill

Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.