5-Star Running Back Derrick Henry: Where Should He Go and Who Could Join Him?

The recruitment of Yulee, Florida, running back Derrick Henry has been very interesting. From making an early commitment as a junior, then wavering to decommitting as a senior, Henry has been through a lot.

Even after he decommitted, we thought we knew where he would wind up, but then a dark-horse school emerged and now it's all up in the air. So just where is Henry going? Well, come on inside as we take a look at him first as a player before examining his recruiting options.

At the end of this piece, we'll make a prediction, and trust me, it may shock you.

Who Is Derrick Henry?

Henry is a running back prospect from Florida by way of Yulee, which is not too distant from Jacksonville. Henry has been a known commodity on the recruiting trail since rushing for over 2,400 yards and 26 TDs as a freshman in high school.

He followed up that amazing debut with a sensational sophomore year that saw him net 2,788 yards and 39 TDs. Coming into his junior year, he was already a big name in the state and lived up to the hype yet again by rushing for 2,610 yards and 34 TDs.

This senior season should see him approach many all-time Florida state high school football records, and don't be shocked if he tops 3,000 yards and 40 TDs.

Scout.com rates him a 5-star recruit and the No. 36 overall prospect in the country. ESPNU ranks him No. 48 in their 150 while Rivals.com has at No. 74.

Derrick Henry Scouting Report

The first thing you immediately notice about Henry is his stature on the hoof. This is a massive running back that stands a staggering 6'3" and weighs close to 245 pounds. That leads us to think that he's a power back that runs with nothing more than bullying strength.

That couldn't be further from the truth.

Henry is actually an athletic speedy back that almost glides around the field. He has incredible instincts with the ball, shows great creativity and has good quickness. He knows he's large for a runner and uses his size to his advantage but remains elusive; slippery and athletic is more of his running style.

Henry is the not bully you think his size would lead him to be. He needs to do a better job of running stronger behind his pads and finishing runs with more power.

Commitment to and Decommitment from Georgia

When Henry was a junior, some thought Florida would be his pick, but he decided to commit to Georgia. Then came this past spring when he began to waver on his pledge and decided to decommit from the Dawgs.

Mark Richt and his staff have since still put the press on him hard. Henry has kept his interest in Georgia, but as of right now, they appear to be third on his list.

With Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall already on the roster in Athens, I'm not sure if this would be a big loss for UGA should Henry decide to go elsewhere after all. 

Alabama Emerging

The Crimson Tide have been just a recruiting bully since Nick Saban arrived. They almost pick and choose whom they get and they really want Henry.

With them being such a run-oriented offensive team, that has to appeal to Henry. Also, with his size and athleticism, Henry has heard whispers of him changing positions in college, to which Alabama has likely told him they will keep him at RB.

An official visit to Tuscaloosa will happen this fall, and Henry has told Scout.com that the Crimson Tide are in the lead.

Volunteering for a Darkhorse?

When Henry backed out of his Georgia pledge, many felt Alabama would land him soon after and that Georgia would still put in great work to try to reel him back in.

Then came word that Tennessee had gotten themselves in the hunt, and now the Vols could be a great logical choice for the Florida running back.

Derek Dooley and his staff have gone hard after Henry, but he does have some reservations about the future of the coaching staff in Knoxville, reports Scout.com. 

If the Vols get off to a hot start this season and Dooley's future questions subside, they could be in position to land Henry. 

Decision Day Date Change

Henry was set to announce his choice on September 28, a Friday and the day his high school team faces Glades Day School. That game is significant because Glades Day is home to Kelvin Taylor, another elite RB prospect that is committed to Florida.

Don't be alarmed by the date change however, as Henry has only moved it from the 28th to September 27th. So we will know where he is going in only a matter of weeks.

Who Could Join Him?

Henry told Scout.com recently that after he commits to a school, he will then turn his focus on having two players in particular join him.

These two players are 5-star OL Laremy Tunsil and 5-star DT Montravius Adams. Both of these players are among the best at their positions in the country and among the top 10-15 prospects overall in this 2013 class.

So whether it is Georgia, Tennessee or Alabama, getting a pledge from Henry could mean two other 5-star prospects are coming with him. 

Prediction

The logical choice for Henry, in my opinion, is to go to Tennessee. Their depth chart is more favorable and has more room for him to get early carries. He would be fine in Knoxville.

But I predict that Alabama is where he will end up. Henry just seems enamored with the Crimson Tide and has a close friendship with DL DeMarcus Walker, who recently committed to none other than Alabama. 

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects and writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS). A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a College Football and NFL Draft magazine.