Derrick Henry Wins Heisman Trophy, Becomes Second Alabama Player To Win Award

In the history of college football, the University of Alabama has claimed 15 national championships, 29 SEC conference titles, and has honored 57 players as All-Americans. But there has only been one Heisman Trophy winner in the history of the program which was running back Mark Ingram, Jr. back in 2009, who would lead the Crimson Tide to one of those national championships. On Saturday night at the Playstation Theater in New York City, the Heisman Trophy was awarded to running back Derrick Henry, the second player from Alabama to be awarded with the prestigious award.

Beating out Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Crimson Tide junior tailback’s season this year shows why he deserved the award. First, he surpassed the SEC all-time single-season rushing record set by Georgia great running back Herschel Walker in 1981 with 1,986 yards. He also joined the likes of quarterback Tim Tebow (Florida) and running back Tre Mason (Auburn) with the SEC single-season rushing touchdown record of 23 touchdowns. Henry also tallied four 200-yard games this season, tying with Walker and Bo Jackson (Auburn).

Henry’s season is not over though for Alabama has a game in the College Football Playoff set for New Year’s Eve at 8 p.m. against Michigan State with the winner having a bid to go to the National Championship game set for Jan. 11.

Photo: NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 12: Running back Derrick Henry of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks during a press conference after being named the 81st Heisman Memorial Trophy Award winner during the 2015 Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis on December 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)