This Is The Season Of Derrick Henry

As the temperature in Tuscaloosa begins to rise, so do the expectations of Derrick Henry’s 2015 campaign. After sitting behind T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake during his first two years on campus, the thought process entering Henry’s Junior year was to once again split carries with Drake and the newcomer Bo Scarbrough, with Yeldon moving on to the NFL.

Well, in case you’re new to the whole Alabama football thing, not everything goes as planned. Scarbrough suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during a scrimmage in early April, and the timetable to return is sometime in September. With really no way of knowing how effective Scarbrough can be, the pressure of carrying the running back position is now immensely on the shoulders of Henry.

I’m here to say, Crimson Tide nation shouldn’t be too concerned. Sure, the possibilities of another Alabama back going down are frightening but at the same time, I’m just as every bit excited about seeing Derrick Henry with a full workload. In fact, Henry should easily match his career carries (208) in just this upcoming year. Oddly enough, considering Alabama’s famous running back duos throughout the years, last season was the first time since 2010 that a player did not reach 200 carries – a stat that will for sure change this year.

Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (27) carries the ball past Missouri Tigers defensive back Aarion Penton (11) in the second quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Fans have seen flashes of why Henry can be great, and if you visit New Orleans you can still see the destruction that he caused in back to back visits to the Superdome. Bonus points to whoever looks through the crowd and finds me muttering for Henry to get the ball more while I sip (chug) an overpriced domestic beverage. For Alabama to have an effective run game, Henry will have to carry the ball, a lot. In Lane Kiffin’s offense, Kenyan Drake will be lined up all over the field, not just as a back. Drake will get some carries but with his versatility and explosiveness, he is too valuable to just be lined up in the backfield. Think back to when Kiffin was at USC and how he used Reggie Bush. A little smash and dash will be coming to Tuscaloosa this fall.

So what does this all mean? The ground work has been laid. As much as the college football world has mentioned Heisman favorites from Alabama or the most valuable players for the Tide year in and year out, there hasn’t been a more obvious answer over the past few seasons than right now with Derrick Henry, respectfully of course. You can say the Florida native is up for the challenge. At Yulee High School, Henry broke the high school rushing record, gaining 12,124 career yards. Henry also rushed for 153 career touchdowns, another stat that placed him in the top 10 of all time. Much like in high school, Henry may be relied on heavily for his incredible rushing attack. Grinding down a defense, picking up 3rd and short, creating a big play, aiding the QB with pass protection, going out for catches, and even being a decoy on a play, Henry can do all.

At Yulee High School, Henry broke the high school rushing record, gaining 12,124 career yards. Henry also rushed for 153 career touchdowns, another stat that placed him in the top 10 of all time. Much like in high school, Henry may be relied on heavily for his incredible rushing attack. Grinding down a defense, picking up 3rd and short, creating a big play, aiding the QB with pass protection, going out for catches, and even being a decoy on a play, Henry can do all.

Where are we at with the gump meter? Almost full? Great, I have a little space left. This isn’t a fluff piece or even trying to hype the guy up. It’s my respective opinion. We can debate position battles all we want (looking at you QBs) but the most important player on this offense, arguably team, is gearing up for the season he’s been waiting for. I mean look at the link above, the guy is pushing a truck and acting like it’s a normal workout. I run up the stairs and think about flopping and faking an injury so I can lay down sometimes. Henry probably eats live chickens in some sort of animal sacrifice fashion, while I struggle to finish off a Buffalo Phil’s lunch special.

“Winter is coming” is a Game of Thrones reference that many know, meaning one of warning and vigilance. Winter is coming? No. Derrick Henry is coming and all of college football knows.