Derrick Henry Breaks Herschel Walker's Single-Season SEC Rushing-Yard Record

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry entered Saturday’s SEC Championship Game against the Florida Gators as the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy and may have cemented his case after surpassing a conference icon and previous Heisman winner in the record books.

Henry broke the SEC record for the most rushing yards in a single season, which had previously been set at 1,891 yards by legendary Georgia Bulldogs running back Herschel Walker in 1981, according to John Zenor of the Associated Press.

Kevin Scarbinsky of AL.com highlighted that Henry accomplished the feat with fewer carries than Walker:

Henry finished the game with 189 rushing yards and a touchdown, leading the Crimson Tide to a 29-15 victory. He now has 1,986 rushing yards this season.

The span of 34 years between the record-setting seasons incidentally matches Walker’s famed jersey number.

Alabama's official Twitter account tweeted that Henry’s touchdown in the second quarter tied the conference record of 23 rushing touchdowns in a season, held by Auburn’s Tre Mason (2013) and Florida’s Tim Tebow (2007). Henry could set a new record with another score in the postseason. 

Bleacher Report’s Barrett Sallee noted that Henry also set a record by becoming the first player to break 100 yards in multiple SEC Championship Games.

Walker is widely considered to be one of the best college football players of all time, adding more credence to Henry’s remarkable season. But Walker did not win the Heisman the year he set the record, finishing second to Southern California’s Marcus Allen.

History is unlikely to repeat itself this time around. Henry is the runaway favorite to win the sport’s most prestigious award, per Odds Shark, and will head to New York City’s ceremony coming off one of his best games of the season.