The accolades continue to stockpile for this Crimson Tide legend.
Former Alabama running back Derrick Henry took home Maxwell, Walter Camp and Doak Walker national honors last season. He became the Tide’s second Heisman Trophy winner in school history, capping off a junior year in which he rushed for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Henry guided Alabama to a 45-40 win over Clemson in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 11, securing the program’s fourth national title under head coach Nick Saban. The 6-foot-3, 247-pounder eyes another national honor, the AAU James E. Sullivan Award. The Amateur Athletic Union named Henry a semifinalist for the honor, via Monday’s press release.
He is one of 16 semifinalists for the award.
Henry became the first running back in Southeastern Conference history to total 2,000 yards in a season. He joined Vincent “Bo” Jackson and Herschel Walker as the third back to post four 200-yard outings. Henry put together a streak of 20 games where he collected at least one touchdown.
The AAU Sullivan Award has been presented since 1930 and is given to the nation’s most outstanding amateur athlete. Ex-Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliot was the first to win this honor during the first-ever playoff in 2014. Voting for this award will end on March 14, while all finalists will be named on March 17. Individuals can vote for the award via www.aausullivan.org.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
