COMMIT: Alabama Adds Another 5-star Running Back

The reputation of Alabama as RBU will stay secured with the addition of 5-star running back Emmanuel Henderson to the Class of 2022. The Hartford, AL native made his commitment on Saturday.

Henderson ran for 1,449 yards and 20 touchdowns in only nine games last season. In 2019, he had 1,996 yards and 32 rushing TD plus four more scores through the air.

Taller, longer-framed running back with lean, athletic build that should foster ample bulk addition in college. Three-sport high school athlete who plays basketball and runs track. Ran an 11.40 100 as a sophomore. Dominant in football and hoops vs. Alabama small-school competition. Longer-striding runner who shows good initial burst and downhill juice. Flashes dangerous cutback ability. Will stack cuts on the same run. Always looking for as many extra yards as possible. Impressively strings moves together at the second level considering longer, high-cut build. Simultaneously fluid and violent as a runner. Displays good core strength and contact balance to extend runs. Finishes runs consistently. Played snaps at running back, receiver, quarterback, and outside linebacker as a junior. Natural pass-catcher in limited opportunities. Adequate top-end speed but still room to improve. Potential in that category should be high given frame/gait. Gets bounce-happy at times, which is likely at least in part to individual dominance vs. small-school competition. One of the nation’s top backs in the 2022 class. Should become a high-major impact player with long-term NFL Draft early-round ceiling. 247sports.com

Henderson wasn’t really ever considering any other team. Charles Kelly and Robert Gillespie are credited with this lay-up commitment.

It has been a nice couple of weeks for Bama with this announcement combined with the commits from 5-star QB Ty Simpson and 4-star tight end Elijah Brown.

OTHER STUFF

Still nothing on J.T. Tuimoloau or Henry To’o To’o and there is not much reason to expect any news anytime soon.

Oregon and Washington have offered JTT basketball scholarships as enticements. Don’t expect Alabama to follow suit. Tuimoloau still wants to take his official visits which at the earliest would be June 1. He is considering the Ducks, UW, Alabama, Ohio State and Southern Cal.

If To’o To’o wants to transfer to Alabama or another SEC program, he is at the mercy of the SEC and how far down Greg Sankey’s TO-DO list his 2021 eligibility is. The Commish does not seem to be in too big of a hurry to address this issue. Oklahoma, here he comes.

Some Bama fans are highly coveting former LSU tight end Arik Gilbert. He may not be worth the trouble. Is he talented? Yes. But clearly, he is a bit flighty and immature. There are also rumors that he screwed around at LSU and made some lousy grades and could not qualify at Florida. Pass.

Former Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick has entered the transfer portal. The former 5-star prospect and 2020 first-team All-ACC performer is thought to be eyeing Alabama, among other schools. He is 6’0” and 190 lbs. This past season, he was credited with 20 tackles (one for loss), six pass breakups, a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery (which he returned 66 yards for a touchdown) in 382 snaps over nine games (he was unavailable for one game, Wake Forest).

Gordo,AL 4-star QB Tanner Bailey has committed to Oregon.