Fansided

Top 5 individual performances from bowl season

By Alexander Zorn

Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; MVP LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) and head coach Les Miles talks to a reporter after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders at NRG Stadium. LSU won 56 to 27. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; MVP LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) and head coach Les Miles talks to a reporter after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders at NRG Stadium. LSU won 56 to 27. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) celebrates with the 2016 CFP National Championship trophy after beating the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) celebrates with the 2016 CFP National Championship trophy after beating the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Bama RB Derrick Henry – 36 carries for 158 yards and 3 TDs

In the biggest games against the nation’s best teams, Alabama running back Derrick Henry plays his best football. And that’s why he’ll walk away from Tuscaloosa a Heisman Trophy winner and national champion.

In nine games against ranked opponents this season Henry ran for 1,494 yards (an average of 166 yards per game) with 18 touchdowns, including another 158 yards and 3 touchdowns against Clemson.

A 50-yard scramble opened the game for Alabama and a 1-yard run on third and goal sealed the victory against the Nation’s second-best team.

The running back’s performance against the Tigers will certainly put himself in elite company in school history, as if he wasn’t already.

Just ask 2005 NFL MVP Shaun Alexander, whose career Bama rushing record Henry broke in his final game with the Tide.

“He fits the mold of [an Alabama running back],” Alexander told AL.com reporters after the game. “[He’s] a grinder and someone who is going to outwork everybody… and someone who is always going to work to get better.”

Of all the great Crimson Tide running backs watching from on the sidelines Monday, Henry set himself apart from the rest with his championship performance.

Next: No. 2

Home/College Football