NFL Running Back
Derrick Henry: Biography at a Glance
- Derrick Henry is a four-time Pro Bowler and NFL Offensive Player of the Year who exemplifies resilience and perseverance, having overcome significant injuries to return to peak performance.
- Henry’s ability to consistently achieve top performance, including becoming the NFL's active leader in rushing yards and touchdowns, demonstrates the importance of hard work, focus, and determination.
- His leadership as a four-time Titans team captain and two-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee reflects his dedication to making a positive impact, not only in sports but also in his community.
- Through the founding of the Two All Foundation, Derrick Henry showcases the value of giving back, using his platform to create opportunities for youth and inspiring others to pursue philanthropy and community service.
- In discussing his life and career, Henry serves as a powerful role model for teams facing challenges and setbacks.
Biography
Henry attended Yulee High School in Yulee, Florida where he was a three-sport star in football, basketball, and track. As a track athlete, Henry posted a personal-best time of 11.11 seconds in the 100-meter dash at the 2011 FHSAA 2A District 3 Championships, where he placed seventh. He experienced his greatest success however on the gridiron where he holds the national high school football record for career rushing yards after breaking Ken Hall’s career record in 2012. Henry finished his career with a total of 12,124 career rushing yards and 153 career touchdowns and was named Florida’s Mr. Football and to the USA Today High School All-American team. Considered a consensus five-star recruit and listed as the No. 1 athlete, Henry committed to the University of Alabama in September of 2012 after originally committing to the University of Georgia.
Henry experienced limited success as a freshman at Alabama as he joined a deep running back unit of T.J. Yeldon, Jalston Fowler, Dee Hart and Kenyan Drake. After a successful sophomore season where he split time with T.J. Yeldon, Henry went on to rewrite the record books during his Junior season when he assumed the lead back role. During that 2015 season, Henry broke Herschel Walker’s single-season college rushing yards record in the SEC while being awarded the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, the Doak Walker Award, the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award and the Heisman Trophy. Despite all these honors, Henry cemented his legacy among all-time Alabama greats during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship game when he rushed for 158 yards on 36 carries with three touchdowns. During this game, he broke Shaun Alexander’s record for most career rushing yards in Alabama history while leading his team to 45-40 win over Clemson. Henry finished his career with 3,591 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns, both Alabama career rushing records.
Following his Junior season, Henry was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round (45th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft where he was reunited with his former fullback at Alabama Jalston Fowler. He currently plays running back for the Baltimore Ravens.
