Alabama Football Recruit Derrick Henry Breaks High School Rushing Record

Five-star Alabama Crimson Tide running back recruit Derrick Henry made history on Friday night when he broke the 59-year-old national high school career-rushing-yards record, according to ESPN's Derek Tyson.

Henry, who emerged as a superstar atYulee High School in Florida, broke the mark in perhaps the most satisfying way possible; a 52-yard-touchdown scamper against Perry Taylor County in the playoffs. 

Listed at 6'3" and 238 pounds, Henry is an overpowering, one-cut back who has a surprising burst of speed in the open field.

Rushing for over 100 yards in each of his 45 career high-school games, Henry will continue to set his sights on further distancing himself from the 11,232 yard record, which Ken Hall set in 1953. 

Hall also wasn't the only player Henry left in the dust this season. Emmitt Smith and fellow Class of 2013 member Kelvin Taylor are now far behind the Yulee star in the all-time Florida high-school record books as well. 

While Friday night is one for celebration, most fans likely know Henry due to his vacillation in the recruiting process.

Initially headed to the Georgia Bulldogs, the running back decommitted in June, which led to a massive recruiting battle for the star.

Now headed to Alabama, Henry will have to live up to his larger-than-life expectations. But with a Crimson Tide recruiting class that features a cabal of big-name stars, it will take continued elite performances from Henry to stand out.

Still, if setting the high-school record proves one thing, it's that Henry should walk onto campus at Alabama as one of the biggest stars in recent memory. 

All that remains is living up to the hype.

BleacherReport