Jaylen Waddle Heisman Trophy Odds & Analysis For 2020 Season

One of the most electric players in college football this year will be Alabama receiver Jaylen Waddle; he’s also a stellar return man. Here are two props available to wager at Mybookie on Waddle’s Heisman Trophy chances and Alabama’s 2020 college football season – assuming there is one – and an overview.

Jaylen Waddle Heisman Trophy Odds & Analysis For 2020 Season

• Heisman Trophy odds: Waddle is +3500
• Odds to win national title: Alabama is +475

Waddle was a four-star recruit out Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Texas, in the Class of 2018. As a senior, he played in the U.S. Army All-American Game and committed to Alabama on National Signing Day over Texas, Texas A&M, Florida State, TCU, and Oregon. He was ranked as the fifth-best player in Texas and No. 9 receiver in the country by 247Sports. Nick Saban opted not to redshirt Waddle as a freshman and he would go on to be named SEC Freshman of the Year. Waddle all SEC first-year wideouts in receptions per game (3.1) and receiving yards per game (56.5). He averaged 18.8 yards per catch, good for sixth in the league and 18th nationally. Waddle caught 45 passes for 848 yards with seven touchdown receptions. A whopping 30 of his receptions went for a first down or touchdown. He 16 punt returns for 233 yards and one score, and his 14.6 yards per return average ranked second in the SEC and was fifth nationally. Last year, Waddle was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and a second-team All-American as a returner. Waddle led the nation in punt return average at 24.4 yards per return with 20 for 487 yards and a touchdown, including a long of 77. He shattered the previous single-season mark for UA with his 24.4 yards per return average. The 487 punt return yards were the fourth-most in Alabama single-season history. He also returned five kickoffs for 175 yards and a touchdown. As a receiver, Waddle totaled 560 yards and six touchdowns on 33 catches at wideout. He was spectacular in an Iron Bowl shootout loss to Auburn with four touchdowns — three receiving and one kickoff return, to earn himself offensive and special teams player of the week recognition from the Alabama coaches. Waddle had 98 yards on four catches, three of which went for scores. He also worked as the deep man on kickoffs, returning three kicks for a combined 132 yards. His return effort was highlighted by a 98-yard score just before the half. Via Pro Football Focus, Waddle ranked behind only CeeDee Lamb in the site’s grade, yards after the catch per reception and passer rating generated when in the slot in the past two seasons. On targets in the slot with ‘open’ separation (more than a couple of steps), Waddle averaged 13.0 yards after the catch per reception while also tacking on 14 broken tackles. Pro Football Focus also ranks Waddle the top returning kick returner for the 2020 season. He should be a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2021. Waddle is arguably the most explosive player in all of college football. He is dynamic with the ball in his hands, showing tremendous open-field elusiveness and top-end speed. As great as Waddle is, he was only a part-time offensive player for Alabama in 2019. With Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Devonta Smith ahead of him on the depth chart, Waddle was never able to see consistent offensive snaps. Jeudy and Ruggs are in the NFL now. The most significant disadvantage facing Smith and Waddle this season is that they will not have the luxury of Tua Tagovailoa throwing them the football. Mac Jones is the likely starter for the 2020 college season. Jones started the final three games last season after Tua suffered his season-ending hip injury against Mississippi State.