Derrick Henry clinches Heisman, 1st-round status

Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) carries the ball against the Florida Gators during the fourth quarter in the 2015 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The strength coaches in the SEC get together and determine the Freak of the Week each week. And now that the end of the year has come, ESPN had the fans vote for Freak of the Year Saturday. And the Freak of the Year Award went to 6’3″, 240-pound Alabama running back Derrick Henry.

He squats 550 pounds, bench presses 450 pounds has a 10-ft., 4-inch broad jump and runs a 4.45 40. And Saturday, vs the Florida Gators, Henry rushed for 189 yards to break all-time freak Hershel Walker’s SEC rushing yards record while tying it for TDs. He helped Alabama overcome a sluggish offensive start to impose their will over Florida in the SEC title game.

They went on to win the game 29-15 to all but lock up another trip to the College Football Playoff. And at the same time, in all likelihood, he should have all but clinched the Heisman Trophy, too. He was already the Heisman favorite coming in and certainly did nothing to hurt his chances.

All Henry’s strength came to good use on Saturday as he had 44 carries against one of the nation’s top defenses. He wore that defense down and looked fresh at the end of the game, carrying the ball right to the final seconds. For the season, Henry has pushed his season total to 1,986 yards with at least one more game to come.

The running back position is back as teams want to go back to controlling the clock and playing defense. And the athletes in college have started to gravitate back to the position after a surge at receiver for a few years. Todd Gurley was taken in the top 10 last year by the St. Louis Rams so this Freak of the Year and should-be Heisman Trophy winner should break the top 10 too.