By Matthew Osborne
SouthernPigskin.com

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An impressive physical specimen, Henry does not have the prototypical measureables for a prospective college running back. At 6-3, 241 pounds, Derrick Henry runs like a freight train through opposing defenses.

Southern Pigskin’s Matt Osborne recently traveled to Yulee High School in Florida to take in 2013 Georgia commit Derrick Henry’s session in the weight room. While at the school, Matt had the opportunity to sit down with one of the top prospects in the class of 2013 to discuss a variety of topics. Click here for workout photos: http://southernpigskin.com/SEC/view/derrick-henry-workout-photos

Derrick Henry is not your typical high school football player. Aside from the fact that he is built more like an NFL linebacker than he is a high school running back, Henry is one of the rare prospects who committed to a college program before the start of his junior season even began.

After attending a Georgia camp last summer, Henry decided that Athens was the place he wanted to play his college ball.

“Being around (the Georgia coaches) was just like being around my own family and my own coaches,” Henry remarked while sitting in his high school football stadium. “I love Mark Richt. He’s a God-first man, a God-fearing man. I really just like the atmosphere there and that’s why I committed.”

While such an early commitment is a rarity in college recruiting, those who are close to the Yulee High School standout are not surprised by the level of success which he has achieved.

And just how much success has Henry achieved? Well, through three seasons of high school ball, Henry has amassed over 7,800 rushing yards and 99 touchdowns. Such statistics are virtually unheard of at the high school level, particularly in a premiere football state such as Florida.

“If Derrick would have been playing varsity football in eighth grade he would have went over 1,000 yards,” Yulee head coach Bobby Ramsay said of his star athlete. “Obviously, he’s got a size and speed combination where he’s at the top end of both categories. Right now, based on what he’s done, I’d say he’s the best high school player I’ve ever been around.”

An impressive physical specimen, Henry does not have the prototypical measureables for a prospective college running back. At 6-3, 241 pounds, Henry runs like a freight train through opposing defenses. However, don’t take his gargantuan size to mean that he lacks the speed to play running back at the FBS level. Henry has been timed at a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, and upon watching his film it quickly becomes apparent that he possesses the top-end speed necessary to become a dominant tailback.

“I bench probably like 360 (pounds),” Henry said. “That was my last bench, but I think I can get like 370 right now. I squat 495 and power clean 330.”

Henry committed to the Bulldogs in July of 2011, but that has not stopped the top programs in college football from recruiting him. Currently holding more scholarship offers than he can count, Henry is the type of prospect that can attend the school of his choice. It is because of the exceptional amount of interest that he is receiving that Henry has continued to look at schools other than Georgia in the recruiting process.

“I plan on continuing to take visits and keep my options open,” said Henry. “I’m going to visit Alabama hopefully during spring break. I’m probably going to visit some other colleges along the process, but I’m not really sure yet.”

Perhaps the most incredibly part of Henry’s recruitment is that, despite the tremendous amount of attention he garners on a regular basis, he just sees himself as another member of his football team.

“He’s really just one of the guys,” Coach Ramsay said of Henry’s personality off of the gridiron. “He likes being one of the guys. He’s got a very friendly personality.”

With his combination of physical attributes, football talent and personality, it isn’t difficult to see why Henry is one of the most highly coveted prospects in the country for the class of 2013. While schools across the nation will keep their fingers crossed in hopes that Henry eventually signs with their respective institution come Signing Day, Georgia fans can rest at least a little more comfortably with the knowledge that Henry knows where he stands with his commitment to the Bulldogs.

“I’m solid.”