UA’s Derrick Henry named FWAA’s national player of the week

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Georgia’s running back Nick Chubb and LSU’s ball carrier Leonard Fournette were the toast of all preseason Heisman conversations entering week one. Alabama’s meeting with Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium provided three things for UA’s junior running back Derrick Henry, offensive player of the week honors (Alabama’s coaching staff), national player of the week honors (Football Writers Association of America) and much needed Heisman consideration.

Henry earned the FWAA’s national player of the week Tuesday, on the heels of getting his first award from the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff. The junior logged 147 yards with three touchdowns on 13 carries, averaging 11.3 yards. He caught two passes for 12 yards.

Henry’s 147 rushing yards and three touchdowns were both career highs. His performance against the Badgers gave Henry his sixth 100-yard rushing mark for his career.

Chubb and Fournette are both impact players, and Ohio State’s running back Ezekiel Elliot is dynamic, but Henry stamped his name for the coveted bronze on a big stage in week one.

Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.