The Associated Press announced its finalists for the 2024 NFL awards on Thursday and two former Crimson Tide players are among the finalists for a pair of prestigious honors.
Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry is one of five finalists for the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. He is joined by Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Saquon Barkley, and Ja'Marr Chase.
Henry won the award back in 2020, and while it's unlikely that he'll take home the honor this year, it was another special season for the former Alabama Heisman Trophy winner. Henry was the NFL's 2nd leading rusher with over 1900 yards on the ground. He became the first player in NFL history to eclipse 1900 yards rushing twice in a career.
He also broke Tiki Barber's record for the most rushing yards by a player 30-or-older. While Baltimore's playoff run ended in disappointment with a close loss in Buffalo, it was an outstanding first season with the Ravens for Henry who still looks like he's in his prime despite being at the age that he should be slowing down.
Alabama fans know better than most that the King is unlike anyone that has come before him or is likely to come after him.
Denver Broncos CB Pat Surtain II was named a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year. Surtain is joined as a finalist by T.J. Watt, Zach Baun, Myles Garrett, and Trey Hendrickson.
Surtain has already been named the Defensive Player of the Year by the PFWA and 101 Awards. He is the favorite to take home the AP award at the NFL Honors ceremony on February 6th.