2016 NFL Prospect Watch: Derrick Henry

Oct 17, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) makes a long run for a touchdown against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday’s matchup between Alabama and Texas A&M was a battle between the No. 9 and 10-ranked teams in the nation. And as you know, teams ranked this high usually have a good amount of NFL prospects. In this one, there was a good amount of top prospects for our 2016 NFL prospect watch.

Alabama had defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, inside linebacker Reggie Ragland and running back Derrick Henry on the field. Texas A&M had offensive tackle Germain Ifedi out there as edge-rusher Myles Garrett isn’t eligible to come out until next year. But if Henry wasn’t the top 2016 NFL prospect in this game before, he definitely is now.

The 6’3″, 240-pound workhorse had 32 carries in the game for 232 yards and two touchdowns, one of which from 55 yards out. He showed everything you could possibly want from an NFL bell-cow running back. Of course, on the 55-yard TD, he showed the speed to pull away from the defense.

He also showed the vision and patience to find the hole throughout the day as well as the power a back his size should have. He also has feet that are pretty nifty for his size so he can make guys miss. To go with all that, he catches the ball well and he’s a reliable pass protector to make him the kind of back you pick in the first round.