Each day counting down to Alabama's Week 1 matchup with Utah State, I will highlight a former player whose jersey number coincides with the amount of days until the game. The Crimson Tide kicks off in just two days, so let's look back at another dominant Bama back, Derrick Henry. 

Derrick Henry suited up for the Crimson Tide from 2013-15 and put together a legendary career. In three seasons, he helped lead the team to a national title and took home the program's second ever Heisman Trophy. He finished his career as one of the program's leading all-time rushers and is now one of the top backs in the NFL.

Henry was a five-star recruit in the 2013 class out of Yulee, FL. He chose the Tide over a plethora of other offers, including Tennessee, Georgia, Clemson and others.

Tennessee v Alabama
Getty Images
loading...
Get our free mobile app

In his freshman season, the behemoth running back spit time with T. J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake. He ran for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns, and the Tide finished 11-2, dropping the final two games of the season to Auburn and Oklahoma.

As a sophomore, Henry took on a larger role, rushing for just under 1,000 yards, but still splitting time. The Tide went 12-2, making an appearance in the inaugural College Football Playoff, but lost in the first round to Ohio State.

Henry's junior season was his best in a Crimson Tide uniform. The Yulee native ran for over 2,000 yards and won the Heisman Trophy, becoming just the second player to do so in program history. Alabama finished 14-1 and won the National Championship over Clemson.

Getty Images
Getty Images
loading...

The big-bodied back was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, and after a slow start in his first few seasons, broke onto the scene in 2018. Since his breakout year, Henry has rushed for over 4,500 yards and become arguably the top running back in all of the NFL.

Though he suffered the first major injury of his career last season, the former five-star looks primed to bounce back in 2022.

Stay locked in to Tide1009.com for the countdown to Alabama football. Check out the rest of the list here.

Iconic Photos From Alabama's 18 National Championships

Claimed or recognized, no FBS football program has more national championships than the Tide. Look back on all 18 titles in Alabama history with these photos.

Highest Rated Recruits of the Saban Era By Year

Check out Alabama's highest-rated recruit from each Crimson Tide recruiting class during the Nick Saban era.

More From 105.1 The Block