Derrick Henry gives verbal to Alabama

Yulee High School (Yulee, FL) running back Derrick Henry has given his verbal commitment to the University of Alabama for 2013.

Henry, who stands 6-foot-3 and tops the scale at 243-pounds, selected the Crimson Tide over the likes of Georgia and Tennessee.

The highly-touted running back has been a fixture in major media outlets thus far in 2012, not only for his recruitment, but for his on-field accolades during the month of September.

In his most recent outing, Henry carved his name into the Florida high school record book by breaking two records…in his quest for one. As he led his team to victory, Henry passed the legendary Emmitt Smith to claim second-place on the all-time Florida high school rushing list. In the same contest, Henry set a new Florida high school single-game rushing record with 502 yards. Henry’s performance broke the old record of 501, which had stood since 1985.

Although Henry has been given the “athlete” label by many recruiting outlets due to his size, make no mistake, Henry will play running back for the University of Alabama. In a recruiting world where “experts” look for the so-called “natural fit” over “substantiated” performance, Henry has been molded for the linebacker position by some recruiting outlets, simply based on physical appearance. However, the “common sense meter” declares that one of the most decorated running backs in Florida high school history…will not play defense in college.

Joining an Alabama class that includes exceptional running backs such as Tyren Jones and Altee Tenpenny, Derrick Henry becomes the 20^th verbal commitment for the Crimson Tide in respect to the 2013 signing class.