After becoming the career NFL rushing leader among players from Alabama high schools and colleges in the 2023 season, Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry took aim at the top ball-carriers in league history in 2024.
The former Alabama All-American ran for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns on 325 carries in his first season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2024. In only 10 seasons has an NFL player had more rushing yards than Henry did in 2024. Henry is on that list with 2,027 rushing yards for the Tennessee Titans in 2020.
Henry became the 23rd player in NFL history with 11,000 rushing yards during the 2024 season by pushing his career total to 11,423, which puts him at 19th on the career list.
Henry became the 10th player in NFL history with 100 rushing touchdowns during the 2024 season by pushing his career total to 106, a total that’s tied with Jim Brown for sixth place on the all-time list.
Four players from Alabama high schools and colleges were among the 16 in the NFL with 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2024. The three Crimson Tide alumni joining Henry were Jahmyr Gibbs with 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns on 250 carries for the Detroit Lions, Josh Jacobs with 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns on 301 carries for the Green Bay Packers and Najee Harris with 1,043 yards and six touchdowns on 263 carries for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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The 10 players with Alabama football roots who have the most NFL rushing yards include:
1. Derrick Henry, Alabama: 11,423 rushing yards
Tennessee Titans 2016-2023, Baltimore Ravens 204: Has averaged 4.9 rushing yards on 2,355 carries with 106 rushing touchdowns. Five-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro and NFL rushing leader in 2019 and 2020 with six 1,000-yard seasons.
2. Shaun Alexander, Alabama: 9,453 rushing yards
Seattle Seahawks 2000-2007, Washington Redskins 2008: Averaged 4.3 yards on 2,187 carries with 100 rushing touchdowns. One-time All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler, 2005 NFL MVP and 2005 NFL rushing leader with five 1,000-yard seasons.
3. Mark Ingram, Alabama: 8,111 rushing yards
New Orleans Saints 2011-2018, 2021-2022, Baltimore Ravens 2019-2020, Houston Texans 2021: Averaged 4.5 yards on 1,817 carries with 65 rushing touchdowns. Three-time Pro Bowler with three 1,000-yard seasons.
4. Stephen Davis,Auburn: 8,052 rushing yards
Washington Redskins 1996-2002, Carolina Panthers 2003-2005, St. Louis Rams 2006: Averaged 4.1 yards on 1,945 carries with 65 rushing touchdowns. Three-time Pro Bowler with four 1,000-yard seasons.
5. James Brooks, Auburn: 7,962 rushing yards
San Diego Chargers 1981-1983, Cincinnati Bengals 1984-1991, Cleveland Browns 1992, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1992: Averaged 4.7 yards on 1,685 carries with 49 rushing touchdowns. Four-time Pro Bowler with three 1,000-yard seasons.
6. Antowain Smith, Stanhope Elmore High School: 6,881 rushing yards
Buffalo Bills 1997-2000, New England Patriots 2001-2003, Tennessee Titans 2004, New Orleans Saints 2005: Averaged 3.9 yards on 1,784 carries with 54 rushing touchdowns. Two-time Super Bowl champion with two 1,000-yard seasons.
7. Josh Jacobs, Alabama: 6,874 rushing yards
Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders 2019-2023, Green Bay Packers 2024: Has averaged 4.3 yards on 1,606 carries with 61 touchdowns. Three-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro and the 2022 NFL rushing leader with four 1,000-yard seasons.
8. William Andrews, Auburn: 5,986 rushing yards
Atlanta Falcons 1979-1983, 1986: Averaged 4.6 yards on 1,315 carries with 30 rushing touchdowns. Four-time Pro Bowler with four 1,000-yard seasons.
9. Rudi Johnson, Auburn: 5,979 rushing yards
Cincinnati Bengals 2001-2007, Detroit Lions 2008: Averaged 3.9 yards on 1,517 carries with 49 rushing touchdowns. One-time Pro Bowler with three 1,000-yard seasons.
10. Cam Newton, Auburn: 5,628 rushing yards
Carolina Panthers 2011-2019, 2021, New England Patriots 2020: Averaged 5.0 rushing yards on 1,118 carries with 75 touchdowns. Three-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro and the 2015 NFL MVP.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at@AMarkG1.
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