One of the best running backs to grace the field on Sunday, Derrick Henry was a star in college. His place in the Heisman House is secure, but just how dominant was Henry at the collegiate level?
Derrick Henry’s Heisman History Began in Tuscaloosa
Henry’s career at the University of Alabama was one of the most dominant in college football history, culminating in him becoming the first running back in 20 years to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy.
Hailing from Yulee, Florida, Henry arrived at Alabama in 2013 as one of the top running back recruits in the country. Standing at 6’3” and weighing around 240 pounds, Henry’s rare combination of size, speed, and power made him an ideal fit for Alabama’s power-run offense under head coach Nick Saban.
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As a freshman in 2013, Henry had limited opportunities to showcase his skills due to Alabama’s deep running back rotation, which included T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake. Despite this, Henry made the most of his chances, rushing for 382 yards on just 36 carries, averaging an astounding 10.6 yards per carry, and scoring three touchdowns.
His breakout moment came in the 2014 Sugar Bowl, where he rushed for 100 yards on just eight carries, including a 43-yard touchdown run that highlighted his potential as a future star in the Alabama backfield.
In his sophomore season in 2014, Henry began to see more consistent playing time, splitting carries with just Yeldon. He rushed for 990 yards and 11 touchdowns on 172 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Henry’s powerful running style and ability to break tackles made him a key contributor to Alabama’s offense.
One of his standout performances that season came in the SEC Championship Game against Missouri, where he rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns, helping Alabama secure the SEC title and a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff.
Henry’s junior season in 2015 was nothing short of historic.
With Yeldon gone to the NFL, Henry became Alabama’s feature back and carried the load for the Crimson Tide offense. He rushed for an astounding 2,219 yards on 395 carries, breaking Herschel Walker’s single-season SEC rushing record, and scored 28 rushing touchdowns, which tied for the most in the nation.
Henry’s durability and ability to consistently produce despite a heavy workload were remarkable, as he averaged over 30 carries per game in the final six games of the season. His 2015 campaign included several memorable performances, including a 271-yard, 46-carry effort against Auburn in the Iron Bowl and an 189-yard, 44-carry game against Florida in the SEC Championship.
Henry’s dominance earned him numerous accolades, including the Heisman Trophy, where he became the first Alabama running back to win the award.
In addition to the Heisman, Henry won the Doak Walker Award (best running back), the Maxwell Award (best all-around player), and the Walter Camp Award (player of the year). His performance in the postseason was equally impressive, as he rushed for 158 yards and three touchdowns in Alabama’s victory over Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, leading the Crimson Tide to their fourth national title under Saban.
By the time Henry declared for the 2016 NFL Draft, he had cemented his legacy as one of the greatest running backs in Alabama history. He finished his college career with 3,591 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns, placing him near the top of the school’s all-time rushing leaders. His impact at Alabama was profound, as he set records and exemplified the physical, grind-it-out style that became a hallmark of Saban’s teams.
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Henry’s incredible work ethic, leadership, and performance in the most crucial moments made him a beloved figure in Alabama football lore, and his career set the stage for his success in the NFL, where he has continued to dominate as one of the league’s premier running backs.
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