Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry reached two milestones in Week 5 of the 2024 NFL campaign. He became the 32nd player in league history to accumulate 10,000 rushing yards on a five-yard carry in the second quarter of the game against the Bengals. He also scored his 100th career touchdown in the game. Henry, however, said he needs to do more.
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As a pro, the 30-year-old is yet to equal his high school rushing totals record. Across four seasons as a Yulee Hornet, Henry amassed a whopping 12,124 rushing yards. This led radio host Dan Patrick to tease Henry about not surpassing that total in the NFL on Thursday.
Henry, with a smile, took the joke in stride, “I know I’m slacking Dan. [I] need to do better.”
His 100th career touchdown in the first quarter against the Bengals today is impressive too in its own right. All the more special when we consider the fact that it took Henry just 124 games to reach the milestones.
Now, that’s quick! According to NFL on CBS, only four other running backs have accomplished the feats in less than 125 games.
Players with 10,000 rush yards and 100 TD in their first 125 games in NFL history
Derrick Henry
LaDainian Tomlinson
Adrian Peterson
Emmitt Smith
Jim Brown pic.twitter.com/pCzLhDnoF0— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 6, 2024
Henry enjoyed a prolific and record-breaking career at high school where he played 48 games. He averaged 252.6 rushing yards per game and posted 8.7 yards per carry with the Hornets and scored 153 touchdowns.
The RB was such a dominant force in high school that he almost picked up a first down every time he touched the ball. Naturally, he got the ball handed to him more often than not.
Henry was the “best option” for his high school team
He averaged an incredibly-high 29 carries per contest as a Hornet. His teammates did not have much of a gripe with his heavy workload, says Henry. After all, it gave Yulee their best chance at victory.
“I was the best option, as far as us winning. My teammates felt the same. It worked out alright.”
Henry didn’t win a state title in high school but has won almost everything else in his football career. At Alabama, he captured two SEC championships, the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship and a Heisman Trophy.
In the NFL, he has made four Pro Bowls, earned two All-Pro nods, and run for 2,000 yards in one season. He was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2020.
The only missing link: a Super Bowl ring.
His quest for the Lombardi Trophy is what led him to sign with the Ravens. And if he – alongside Lamar Jackson – can make a run for the championship this season, they could well be sealing their legacies as pros.
