Heisman Preview: Derrick Henry, RB Alabama

Next: Heisman Preview: Christian McCaffrey

Derrick Henry is a beast. Okay, that’s not a strong enough word. Let’s try this: Derrick Henry is a beastly freak of nature. I like that one much better.

Derrick Henry, if you didn’t know, is the running back from the University of Alabama. He is a 6’3″ 245 pound running back. That does not happen very often these days.

Oh, there is one more thing about Derrick Henry: he is going to win the Heisman this year.

Let’s discuss what he’s done this year:

339 rushing attempts for 1986 yards, averaging 5.9 yards per carry with 23 touchdowns. That is the new single season record for the SEC.

Has scored at least one touchdown in 18 consecutive games

Has ran for 200+ yards four times this season

He is 6th all time on the Alabama rushing yards list

Okay, now that we have seen the stats, let’s dig a little deeper and show just why Derrick Henry is the front-runner for the Heisman this year. In the past when a team has to gameplan for the Crimson Tide, there is both a running and a passing game to worry about.

This year, we all knew exactly what to expect. Yet no one could stop the wrecking force. They could only hope to contain it, and even that was not enough. Auburn hoped that they could put a stop to him in the Iron Bowl during rivalry week. He wrecked them for 271 yards on 46 carries in route to an easy win.

All year it was the same story. Alabama has a game. The other team plans on stopping him to win….and fails. Even the one game they lost he still had 127 yards and a touchdown. In that game he also showed his versatility, having as many receptions in that one game (5) as he had the rest of the year combined.

There was little need for him to catch at all this year, but when backed in a corner his number was called to be an every down back including being the pass catching back as well. How many pass catching backs do you see at 245 pounds? Henry, that’s who you have. Derrick Henry.

At the end of the day, Derrick Henry has been the most impressive player in college football this season. When his number was called, he did anything he had to in order to win. The one loss they had he did even more than his typical self. He is not only the most impressive player in college football but in my opinion the most talented player that could get drafted this year. Though he has yet to say it, I believe he will be entering the 2016 draft and make an NFL team very happy.

Keep an open eye for the Heisman Preview for Clemson’s DeShaun Watson.