The Rise of Derrick Henry: From “Shocka” to “King Henry”
THE RUMORS ABOUT the kid from Yulee, Florida, were so wild they sounded like something out of a sports movie. But in this case, the truth was even more unbelievable. Derrick Henry, a 12-year-old giant with a penchant for Snickers bars and a knack for being untackleable, was already a local legend before he even hit high school. Coaches in the area had to implement a rule that he’d leave the game every time his team got a 21-point lead. And the nickname “Shocka”? That came from his grandmother, Gladys, who called him that because his very existence was a surprise to the family. The name stuck, and so did the legend.
By the mid-2000s, everyone in Yulee was counting down the days until Henry would arrive at the newly opened Yulee High School. His grandmother, who raised him for much of his life, was the first to see his potential. She watched him run barefoot down the dirt road in front of her house and declared, “This kid is going to be a great athlete.” She wasn’t wrong.
From Barefoot Runs to High School Stardom
Henry’s size and speed were extraordinary from the start. By the time he was in middle school, he was already playing up an age group because he couldn’t make the weight requirements for his own. At just 6 years old, he was so dominant that his family had to carry his birth certificate to games to prove his age. By the time he was 13, he was 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, a sight that left Yulee High School’s head coach Bobby Ramsay in awe when he first saw him on the field.
When Henry finally arrived at Yulee High in 2009, the expectations were sky-high. But even with all the hype, there were doubts. Could this middle school phenom translate his dominance to the high school level? It didn’t take long for Henry to answer that question. In his first varsity practice, he broke through three defenders on a single play, leaving the coaching staff stunned. “It looked like Optimus Prime shrugging off stuff,” Ramsay said.
The Relentless Drive of “Shocka”
Henry’s work ethic was as impressive as his physical gifts. He embraced grueling workouts, from flipping tires to pushing an F-150 truck around the track. But it wasn’t just brute strength; he worked tirelessly to improve his agility and footwork, often training with former world-ranked sprinter Almon Gunter. “One thing about great athletes is that they are willing to kick their own asses,” Gunter said. “Derrick kicked his own ass that summer, and he hasn’t stopped his entire career.”
By the time his freshman season began, Henry was ready. In his first game, he racked up 190 yards and five touchdowns in just one half. The legend of “Shocka” was officially born. Over the next four years, Henry would go on to rewrite the record books, finishing his high school career with 12,124 rushing yards, shattering the national record of 11,232 set in the 1950s by Ken Hall.
College Dreams and the Recruiting Frenzy
As Henry’s high school career took off, so did the attention from college recruiters. But there was one problem: many coaches saw him as a defensive end or linebacker, not a running back. Henry, however, was adamant. “I’m going to play running back in the NFL,” he told anyone who asked. And he meant it.
Initially, Henry committed to Georgia, drawn to then-coach Mark Richt’s family-oriented approach. But the allure of Alabama and Nick Saban proved too strong. After a visit to Tuscaloosa in 2012, Henry flipped his commitment to the Crimson Tide. Saban assured him he’d play running back, and Henry believed him. “Sweet Home Alabama” became the anthem of the Yulee weight room as Henry prepared for his senior season.
The Record-Breaking Senior Year
Henry’s final high school season was nothing short of historic. He rushed for 4,261 yards and 55 touchdowns, breaking the Florida state record for yards in a season. By the time his high school career ended, he had cemented his place as one of the greatest prep players of all time. His final carry was a 63-yard touchdown in a state semifinal loss, a fitting end to a legendary career.
- Career Rushing Yards: 12,124 (National Record)
- Senior Season Yards: 4,261
- Touchdowns in Senior Year: 55
From “Shocka” to “King Henry”
Henry enrolled early at Alabama, where he faced a crowded depth chart that included T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake. Despite limited playing time as a freshman, he made an impact, including a standout performance in the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma. By his sophomore year, Henry was a key contributor, and by his junior year, he was a star. He won the Heisman Trophy, led Alabama to a national title, and set himself up for an NFL career.
Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Henry has silenced every doubter. Now with the Baltimore Ravens, he’s a favorite for Offensive Player of the Year, proving once again that he’s not just a running back—he’s one of the best to ever do it.
Through it all, Henry has remained grounded, carrying the lessons of his grandmother and the Yulee community with him. Whether it’s breaking records, winning awards, or giving back to those who helped him along the way, Derrick Henry continues to shock the world—just like he always has.
Originally Written by: Kimberley A. Martin
