Surrounded by family and friends, Derrick Henry slips on Alabama cap during a press conference.
Photo by Gray Quetti
, the nation's
No. 11 recruit, has committed to Alabama.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound running back from
Yulee (Fla.) High School made the announcement in a ceremony held at his school this afternoon, five hours before his team hosts
Kelvin Taylor and Glades Day in a nationally-televised game.
Henry, who originally committed to Georgia when he was a junior, chose Alabama over Tennessee and the Bulldogs. He had all three caps sitting in front of the microphone where he made the announcement.
"I didn't feel I could make a wrong decision," Henry said. "All three coaches and programs are great. For me, there were the three best programs in the SEC. I picked Alabama because it's where I felt most at home. It's where my heart was. I liked everything about it."
He joins a loaded recruiting class that already features fellow running backs
Altee Tenpenny and
Tyren Jones.
Given his size, some have speculated Henry may play a different position in college, but Henry has been steadfast in his desire to play running back.
"I've been playing the position since I was 5-years-old," Henry said. "It's where I've always dreamed of playing. I know I'm a taller running back but I plan to be a trend-setter."
Henry is coming off a game in which he
set a Florida state record with 502 rushing yards.
"I felt like he was hot early, the line was blocking well. We were checking into right run plays based on how they aligned. Derrick was in the zone," Yulee head coach Bobby Ramsay said.
