Heisman Trophy winner Henry, finalists McCaffrey, Watson highlight AP All-America team

Dreams are one thing, real life another.

“I’m just enjoying the moment and happy to be here”, Henry said.

He may have been the only one. Henry made history by becoming the first running back to win both the Maxwell Award and the Heisman Trophy since 1999 when University of Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne won both.

Another Crimson Tide player, linebacker Reggie Ragland, was chosen as the SEC’s defensive player of the year.

Saturday’s Army-Navy game earned an overnight rating of 5.1 with a 12 share, according to the CBS Sports.

He choked up during his speech, thanking his family, coaches and teammates, and mentioning former Alabama teammate Altee Tenpenny, who was killed in a vehicle crash two months ago.

“One day I said something to him and he said, ‘Coach, all this stuff is new to me”. I didn’t think it would happen. God is good. I can’t wait to celebrate with my teammates and coaches. He is the second ‘Bama running back to win the award, following Mark Ingram in 2009. His normally even keel rose above the waterline when he heard his name called.

Gladys Henry has been hospitalized in Florida for weeks with heart and respiratory problems. Henry has been named to the AP All-America first team.

He received 1,832 points, 293 more than McCaffrey.

Deshaun Watson, the quarterback of No. 1 Clemson, finished third. Prior to the Heisman ceremony, Bonn texted McCaffrey a photo of the Heisman posters they printed to decorate the watch party at Valor Christian. The vote totals explained why the candidates weren’t invited.

Henry was overshadowed at the beginning of the season by Louisiana State’s Leonard Fournette. “But we’re going to have to play our best, and we always do when our best is needed”.

To me, Derrick Henry is the most outstanding player in college football this season though.

CBS actually began Henry’s campaign during its prime-time telecast of the LSU-Alabama game November 7.

Despite all of his success, McCaffrey didn’t win the Heisman.

Having the opportunity to mingle with several former Heisman winners this weekend was a thrill for Henry.

“These guys are like family to us”, Saban says. “I just want to give you all advice”. That puts Derrick Henry on a list that includes Roger Staubach.

But McCaffrey saved the best for last, for the Pac-12 Championship Game, with a Rose Bowl berth at stake and with the eyes of a nation watching his every move. The number who could gain 271 yards under such circumstances is smaller still. Remember, he is just one year removed from an ACL injury.

McCaffrey, just like his fellow Stanford alums, certainly had a hype deficit.

If the SEC title game is any sort of indicator, Henry will be coming right at McDowell, Evans and the other Michigan State defensive tackles. Only 26, including 2015, non-seniors have been Heisman winners in the 81 years the award has been given, yet non-seniors have been the recipients in each of the past nine years. Someone asked Shaw if he thought McCaffrey deserved the award. I love them so much.

“I had like 500 text messages”, Henry said. “That’s not even disputable”.

Henry was very consistent over the course of 13 games gaining a Southeastern Conference single season record 1,986 yards on 339 attempts eclipsing the mark set by 1982 Heisman Trophy victor, Herschel Walker of Georgia. Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey each broke significant yardage records this season. And Henry’s victory comes after winning a rare trifecta at the ESPN-Home Depot College Football awards.

More than anything, he said he’s proud to continue on the tradition of great football players in Crimson Tide history.