According to an ESPN report, Derrick Henry, the 2015 Heisman winner for Alabama, is honored as a legendary running back and receives the College Football Greatest of All Time Award.

Derrick Henry: From Heisman Hero to College Football’s Greatest of All Time

A New Crown for the Crimson Tide Star

According to a fresh ESPN report, Derrick Henry, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner out of Alabama, has been honored as a legendary running back and has received the inaugural College Football Greatest of All Time Award. The accolade, designed to recognize the most impactful player in the sport’s history, cements Henry’s status among the game’s elite and celebrates his extraordinary contributions on and off the field. This recognition arrives nearly a decade after his Heisman triumph and underscores how his legacy continues to resonate across generations of college football enthusiasts .

The Inaugural GOAT Award: Context and Ceremony

The College Football Greatest of All Time Award was introduced this spring by ESPN and the National Football Foundation as part of a broader effort to historicize the sport’s most transformative figures. Presented at a gala held at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, the ceremony featured past legends, fellow award winners, and media luminaries. Criteria for selection included statistical dominance, championship pedigree, and cultural impact. Henry’s name emerged atop a blue-ribbon list that included Jim Brown, Herschel Walker, and Barry Sanders—icons whose legacies have long shaped the narrative of excellence in collegiate competition .

Early Glory and Heisman Triumph

Henry’s ascension to college football stardom peaked during the 2015 season, when he led the NCAA in rushing attempts (339), rushing yards (1,986), and rushing touchdowns (23). His blend of power, vision, and durability made him the first running back since Herschel Walker to claim the Heisman Trophy . Over that campaign, Henry shattered the SEC single-season rushing record previously held by Walker (1,891 yards) and became the first back in Alabama history to eclipse 2,200 all-purpose yards in a single season. His performances not only won him the sport’s highest individual honor but also propelled the Crimson Tide into the national championship conversation.

Record-Setting Rushing Mastery

Beyond the Heisman, Henry’s 2015 campaign set multiple records that still stand today. He amassed 2,219 rushing yards on 395 carries—an SEC mark for most yards in a season—and scored in every one of Alabama’s 15 games, tallying 28 total touchdowns . His workload was staggering: defenses schemed endlessly to contain his punishing style, yet he routinely outran, outmuscled, and outlasted opponents. Perhaps most emblematic was his 236-yard, two-touchdown performance against Texas A&M, which underlined not just his physical gifts but his relentlessness and will to win.

A Sweep of National Awards

In recognition of his dominance, Henry swept the nation’s most prestigious awards in 2015. He secured the Maxwell Award (Player of the Year), the Doak Walker Award (Top Running Back), and the Walter Camp Player of the Year honor—all at the very awards ceremony that now echoes in reverse as the stage for his GOAT recognition . Each of these accolades highlighted a different facet of his impact: from raw statistics to leadership and game-changing ability. Few players in college history have managed such a clean sweep of major national honors.

Unanimous All-America and Beyond

Henry’s prowess earned him unanimous All-America status in 2015, as he topped ballots from every major selector—AP, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, WCFF, and ESPN among them . This consensus recognition cemented his standing among the pantheon of great running backs who have graced the gridiron. It also underscored the respect of coaches, media, and peers alike, who acknowledged his season-long consistency, game-winning plays, and leadership both on and off the field.

The GOAT Debate: Placing Henry Among Giants

The debate over college football’s “Greatest of All Time” has raged for decades, often centering on Jim Brown, Herschel Walker, and more recently, Barry Sanders. In 2020, ESPN itself named Jim Brown the greatest college player of all time during the College Football Playoff National Championship festivities . Henry’s selection for the inaugural GOAT Award indicates a shift: a recognition that his blend of historic statistical feats, championship pedigree, and the cultural moment he represented—playing under Nick Saban at Alabama during the modern playoff era—places him at the summit of the sport’s illustrious history.

Voices of Admiration: Peers and Coaches

Tributes poured in from around the college football world following Henry’s announcement. Former coach Nick Saban, under whom Henry blossomed into a national star, remarked, “Derrick rewrote the book on what a running back can do in college football. His work ethic and heart set him apart.” Christian McCaffrey, one of Henry’s Heisman runners-up, tweeted, “Everything I’ve done since leaving Stanford I’ve done with Henry’s 2015 season as the bar. Congrats, King Henry—you earned this.” These endorsements from contemporaries and mentors alike highlight the depth of respect Henry commands across eras.

Beyond the Numbers: Cultural Impact

Henry’s influence transcends box scores. His nickname, “King Henry,” is more than a moniker; it symbolizes his reign during the 2015 season and his continued stature in the pro ranks. As the only player to rush for over 2,000 yards at the high school, college, and NFL levels, Henry’s journey resonates with fans from Yulee, Florida, to NFL stadiums nationwide . His charitable foundation, Two All, and his annual holiday toy drives in his hometown underscore a commitment to giving back, further enhancing his legacy as both athlete and humanitarian.

The Place of the GOAT Award in History

While this inaugural College Football Greatest of All Time Award will undoubtedly evolve, its presentation to Derrick Henry sets a high bar for future recipients. By combining statistical supremacy, championship success, and cultural resonance, Henry exemplifies the qualities the award seeks to enshrine. His selection also bridges eras, connecting the game’s storied past—populated by Brown and Walker—with its modern, playoff-driven present.

A Legacy Forged in Crimson and Gold

As the ceremony concluded, Henry—now a Baltimore Ravens standout—closed his remarks with characteristic humility. “I was just chasing a dream back in 2015. To stand here now, named the greatest college player of all time, is more than I ever imagined,” he said, drawing a standing ovation. In that moment, the arc from freshman standout to GOAT awardee felt both complete and just beginning, as Henry’s story continues to inspire players chasing gridiron greatness.

Through his record-breaking seasons, trophy-laden résumé, and lasting cultural impact, Derrick Henry has etched his name into the annals of college football lore. The College Football Greatest of All Time Award may be new, but its first recipient embodies the enduring spirit of excellence that defines the sport. In honoring “King Henry,” ESPN and the National Football Foundation have recognized a figure whose achievements will echo across fields, locker rooms, and living rooms for generations to come.

Derrick Henry: From Heisman Hero to College Football’s Greatest of All Time

The Everlasting Impact of a Modern Titan

Champion on the National Stage

Derrick Henry’s legacy isn’t just preserved in statistics—it’s etched into the memories of fans who watched him dominate in the biggest moments. His 2015 postseason performances were nothing short of legendary. In the SEC Championship Game, he rushed for 189 yards against Florida, securing Alabama’s place in the College Football Playoff. In the Cotton Bowl semifinal against Michigan State, he added another 75 yards and two touchdowns, and in the National Championship Game against Clemson, Henry capped off his college career with a 158-yard, three-touchdown performance that helped bring Alabama its 16th national title.

That championship game performance solidified his clutch reputation. Against a top-tier Clemson defense, Henry delivered punishing runs, key conversions, and long touchdown bursts that set the tone for Alabama’s victory. He didn’t just shine in routine matchups—he showed up when it mattered most, embodying what every coach dreams of in a program-carrying athlete.

A Legacy That Goes Beyond Alabama

While Henry’s greatest college moments were in a Crimson Tide jersey, his legacy radiates far beyond the University of Alabama. He became a symbol of what it means to play with grit, humility, and resolve. At a time when college football increasingly favored spread offenses and finesse backs, Henry was a throwback—a workhorse runner who combined old-school toughness with freakish athleticism.

His play redefined what was possible for a player his size. Standing 6’3” and weighing over 240 pounds, Henry moved with the grace of a much smaller back but delivered hits like a linebacker. Analysts, fans, and even opponents often commented that tackling Henry was like trying to stop a train with bare hands. His dominance wasn’t just about athleticism—it was about physical and mental endurance.

From Yulee to the NFL: The Journey Continues

Long before he set SEC records and lifted the Heisman, Derrick Henry was a high school legend in Yulee, Florida. He rushed for a national-record 12,124 career yards and 153 touchdowns in high school—numbers that would seem fabricated if not so well-documented. That small-town legacy has now come full circle with national recognition as the sport’s all-time college great.

Since leaving college, Henry has continued his reign in the NFL. His 2,027-yard rushing season in 2020 with the Tennessee Titans made him one of only eight players in NFL history to cross the 2,000-yard threshold. That year, he was also named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year and led the league in both rushing yards and touchdowns for the second straight season.

In 2024, Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens, a team seeking to fortify its ground attack and championship aspirations. Even as he transitions into the later stages of his pro career, his legend as a college player has only grown. He’s a living bridge between college football’s storied history and its future.

Role Model and Mentor

Off the field, Henry’s presence is equally powerful. His charity, Two All Foundation, focuses on equipping and empowering young people from underserved communities. He frequently visits schools, hosts youth football camps, and funds programs aimed at education and healthy living. Henry has also become a mentor to younger players, both at Alabama and in the NFL, offering advice, encouragement, and a model of how to handle fame with humility.

His story—rising from humble beginnings, thriving in college under intense pressure, and excelling as a pro—is one that inspires beyond the boundaries of sports. In an age where athletes often fade from memory after a few standout seasons, Henry’s lasting influence proves that excellence and character combined leave a deeper mark.

Lasting Influence on the Game

Henry’s GOAT status isn’t just about his personal accolades. It’s about the ripple effect he’s had on the sport. After his Heisman year, teams began rethinking how to use bigger running backs. Recruiting philosophies shifted. Commentators began referencing “a Derrick Henry-type back” as the gold standard. His impact touched play-calling, training regimens, and even draft strategies.

Coaches at every level point to Henry as an example of how discipline, patience, and unmatched work ethic can overcome challenges. His famous line, “I just work hard and let God do the rest,” resonates deeply in locker rooms, interviews, and coaching clinics. He’s more than a player; he’s a blueprint for excellence.

The GOAT Award: A New Standard

The College Football Greatest of All Time Award was designed to ignite debate, celebrate the game’s heritage, and honor players who transcend their generation. In naming Derrick Henry its first recipient, the sport has found a worthy standard-bearer. This is not simply about being the best in a given season—it’s about reshaping the game’s expectations. It’s about setting records, winning championships, and carrying a team with both shoulders and heart.

Henry embodies all of these qualities. His 2015 season remains one of the most dominant individual campaigns in the sport’s 150-year history. And even nearly a decade later, his name still commands awe when fans recount unforgettable moments of college football greatness.

Conclusion: The Legacy of a King

Derrick Henry’s journey from Yulee to Tuscaloosa, from SEC stadiums to the NFL, and now to the heights of college football immortality is the story of an unstoppable force matched with unshakable focus. His crowning as the Greatest of All Time in college football isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about how he changed the perception of what one man could achieve in a season, in a team, and in a sport rich with legends.

As he stood on that stage in Atlanta, accepting the College Football Greatest of All Time Award, Henry didn’t just accept a trophy—he accepted his place in history. And as fans of the sport reflect on this milestone, one truth becomes undeniable:

The king has been crowned—not just for a season, but for all time.