Running back Derrick Henry of Alabama wins Heisman Trophy

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. Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson, in third place with 1,165 points, finished more than 800 points ahead of the fourth-place player, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield.

“Watson clearly carried Clemson into the national spotlight and playoffs and that team is nowhere near the No. 1 team in the nation without him”, Cervi said.

Henry’s margin of victory was narrower than recent Heisman winners’, the Associated Press notes, but the contest wasn’t quite a squeaker.

Henry received 378 first-place votes and 1,832 total points. The SEC single-season rushing record, the first team All-American honors, the Doak Walker Award, the Maxwell Award, the Heisman Trophy? For the year, Henry has 1,986 yards, a total that broke Herschel Walker’s Southeastern Conference record.

Alabama coach Nick Saban sat in the audience in New York City as Henry spent ten minutes thanking everyone from god to his family, team mates and coaches. “My heart was about to bust out my chest”, Henry said. Derrick Henry said his grandmother was with him in spirit as his childhood dream of winning the Heisman came true.

To his grandmother Gladys, who was lying in a Florida hospital bed, unable to attend the ceremony: “You made me what I am today”. The question is not whether Henry will make it into the National Football League, but how well will his game translate? Now it really and truly should all come together for Barrett and the Buckeyes in the Heisman race. With the encouragement of his family, he chose to stay. Ingram, much like Henry, was a system runner in a formidable Alabama machine that also churned out other accomplished college backs such as Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon.

Roll tide! So goes the rallying calling for the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide athletic teams. Henry has recorded four 200-plus yard performances this year, joining Walker (Georgia) and Jackson (Auburn) as the only backs in SEC history to record four in one season. The four-year starter started all 11 games and saw over 700 snaps.

Tired defenses got plenty of looks at big No. 5 from behind, his long bundled locks sticking out of the back of his helmet.

The Crimson Tide’s 49-7 win in the 2011 Capital One Bowl represents the most lopsided loss of coach Mark Dantonio’s career, and it was also the last time the Spartans lost a bowl game.

Tim Tebow, the 2007 victor of the Heisman Trophy and a former Philadelphia Eagles hopeful, earlier stated his support for the Alabama running back. Henry will try to do the same. The Tide (12-1) plays Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl on December 31.

Despite being the Heisman favorite, Henry was nervous the moment before the victor was announced.

Alabama placed its championship hopes on Henry’s broad shoulders and he has delivered.

Barring an injury, Henry will go over the 2,000-yard mark in that game.

All-purpose player – Christian McCaffrey, sophomore, Stanford.

Which reminds me: Congratulations to Derrick Henry, too.

Cornerbacks – Mackensie Alexander, sophomore, Clemson; Shawun Lurry, sophomore, Northern Illinois. Will he succeed? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk debate the question.Riley: Henry has been a hero for Alabama but scouting reports are mixed on his pro prospects.