The Heisman Trophy was voted on and awarded for 54 years before a Black quarterback won the coveted award as college football’s premier player.

But times—and minds— have changed and now the University of Alabama’s Bryce Young might be the seventh Black quarterback to receive the award in the last 15 years, and the sixth since 2010.

The Crimson Tide sophomore is on a path to certainly be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, and perhaps the ultimate winner at the Dec. 11 presentation in New York City. College Football Playoff and Bowl Games do not figure into the balloting.

Young has plenty of company with other current Black quarterbacks who also are Heisman candidates.

Others enjoying headline this seasons are Ohio State University freshman C.J. Stroud IV, University of Oklahoma freshman Caleb Williams, University of Cincinnati senior Desmond Ridder and Liberty University senior Malik Willis. Caucasian quarterbacks, too, may figure into the Heisman mix. The University of Mississippi’s Matt Corral, Wake Forest University’s Sam Hartman, University of Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett and even Brennan Armstrong of the University of Virginia have a chance.

Young has been spectacular for the Crimson Tide since succeeding Mac Jones as Coach Nick Saban’s signal caller. A year ago, Young played behind Jones, who was third in Heisman voting behind teammate DeVonta Smith, a wide receiver. Running back Najee Harris was fifth.

Clearly, University of Alabama stars get plenty of respect from the nationwide Heisman voters. Mark Ingram (2009) and Derrick Henry (2015) won the Heisman as running backs.

Alabama and its players have earned respect by winning the national title in 2016, 2018 and 2021, and finishing second in 2017 and 2019.

But despite Alabama’s storied history of quarterbacks (Joe Namath, Kenny Stabler, A.J. McCarron, Jay Barker, Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, etc.) the Tuscaloosa school has never gotten to celebrate a Heisman quarterback.

That could change. Young has led an attack that averaged 43 points through the team’s first nine outings. In directing an attack averaging 45 points a game, the 6-foot, 20-year-old Young has hit 71 percent of his passes for 3,025 yards and 33 touchdowns with only three interceptions.

Born in Philadelphia, Young grew up in southern California. As a senior at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., he threw for an incredible 58 touchdowns. A rare, five-star prospect, he first committed to Southern Cal before opting for Alabama.

Young’s Heisman fate could hinge on this: Assuming Alabama avoids upset in its closing games against the University of Arkansas and Auburn University, the Tide will likely face No. 1 ranked Georgia in the SEC championship game Dec. 4 in Atlanta. The Heisman voting deadline is Dec. 9.

The football world will be riveted.

Young’s performance in that national primetime TV show could determine whether or not he is Alabama’s first Heisman quarterback winner.

HBCU quarterbacks have twice been a factor in Heisman voting. Grambling State University’s Doug Williams in 1978 and Alcorn State University’s Steve McNair in 1978 were finalists.