Derrick Henry Reflects on Choosing Alabama Over Georgia and Its Impact on His Career
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The road that led Derrick Henry to becoming one of the greatest running backs of his era almost started somewhere else. Long before the Pro Bowls, the 13,000-plus NFL rushing yards and the reputation as a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, Henry was a high school star trying to choose between two powerhouse programs.
During my recent interview with Henry, which was connected to his partnership with OIKOS, Henry was asked to look back on the moment he decommitted from the Georgia Bulldogs and decided to join the Alabama Crimson Tide. The question brought out real emotion and honesty as he explained how close he came to staying in Athens and how much thought went into the switch.
The conversation touched on his Super Bowl commercial and his NFL health-and-fitness routine, but the college decision felt like the most personal part of the interview and a reminder that one choice can change everything.
The Backfield That Almost Happened
Henry smiled when the idea of the Georgia backfield was brought up. Had he stayed with the Bulldogs, he would have lined up with Todd Gurley, Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, three backs who all became NFL stars.
Henry said, “Yeah we used to always talk about that. If I had stayed committed to Georgia, the backfield it would have been. I don’t know how that would have worked, but it definitely would have been crazy. And we actually had another crazy backfield at Bama as well, so heck yeah.”
It is one of those great college football what-if stories and even Henry admits he still thinks about it from time to time.
Why Alabama Felt Right
The real meat of the story came when Henry explained why he ultimately chose Alabama. He talked about committing to Georgia after a visit with friends from his hometown and loving the culture and coaches. But he never shut down his recruitment and kept paying attention to what was happening in Tuscaloosa.
Henry said, “Going through the season, I think my junior year, my senior year still getting recruited, watching both programs. I don’t know, I just felt like I needed to reevaluate, felt like I might be a better fit for Alabama because they were dominating, winning championships. I love the way Coach Saban coaches and how their team played and I felt like that’s something that I might want to be a part of. And then when it came down to it Alabama was definitely the ultimate choice. Running back coach Burton Burns came and visited with me and we talked forever, so yeah, I was sold after that.”
That decision led to three unforgettable seasons at Alabama, where Henry rushed for 3,591 yards and scored 42 touchdowns. His 2015 season became legendary with 395 carries, 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns on the way to a Heisman Trophy and a national championship.
From One Choice To A Historic Career
Looking back now, it is easy to see how that flip shaped everything. Henry went from Alabama superstar to NFL workhorse and now stars for the Baltimore Ravens with a resume that includes five Pro Bowls and 13,018 rushing yards.
The interview around his OIKOS commercial showed a reflective side of Henry. He talked about nutrition and life after football, but the story of leaving Georgia for Alabama stood out. It was not about regret or drama. It was about trusting a feeling and taking a chance that turned a talented teenager into one of the best to ever play the position.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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