INDIANAPOLIS — Alabama running back Derrick Henry, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and national champion, measured 6-foot-3 and an enormous 247 pounds with massive, 33-inch arms at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

There are fullbacks currently in the professional ranks — even a few tight ends — that weigh less than 247, so the number made its way around the Lucas Oil Stadium media room Wednesday like wildfire.

Wearing his league-issued Under Armour from head to toe, make no mistake about it: Henry looked strong. To suggest that he was even slightly “overweight” would be wrong. Muscle weighs more than fat, and he was all muscle.

Nevertheless, the figure was a little more than even Henry was expecting to see. He prefers to be in the 241-242 range, and he plans to get back there soon. Maybe even by the time you finish reading this story.

“I didn’t think I was that heavy,” Henry told reporters during his time at the podium. “I was drinking a lot of water just so I could add a little weight, but I didn’t think I’d be that heavy. I won’t stay that weight.”

Despite everything he accomplished for the Crimson Tide last season, including setting SEC marks for rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns, most experts have given him a second-round grade for the draft.

“You’ve just got to let it fuel you,” Henry said. “The only thing you can worry about is what you can control, and that’s why you perform and compete and do the best you can do.”

Henry’s measurables advantage will be diminished in the NFL, as the defenders are bigger, faster and stronger than they were in college at every level. How he carries that 247 could determine his fate.

“It will be interesting to see how he runs, because it will help some people calm down,” ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick told Saturday Down South. “Maybe some people are predetermining and think that he’s just a big, straight-line power back that has no elusiveness. So I’m interested to see how fast he runs and how he looks in a lot of the change-of-direction drills. Specifically, like the route running.”

Because the Crimson Tide don’t involve their ball carriers in the aerial attack very much, Henry caught a grand total of 17 passes in three seasons. He has to fight the stigma of being a one-dimensional player.

“Obviously, running back is a very tricky position because it’s being devalued so to speak,” said Riddick, “especially if they don’t think that you’re a three-down player, and he just needs to prove that he can be a three-down player out here.”

‘Bama has had an assembly line in the backfield under coach Nick Saban. However, few of them have starred on Sundays. The highest pick, Trent Richardson at No. 3 overall in 2012, is already out of the league.

“I think (Henry) is more elusive than even Trent was,” Riddick said. “I think Derrick doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves for his feet, with his ability to at least make a defender miss. He’s never going to be mistaken for Barry Sanders, but he’s fine. He’s fine.”

With his media responsibilities now out of the way, Henry can focus on Friday’s on-field workout. There was a rumor about him apparently opting not to run the 40-yard dash, but he confirmed that he indeed will.

“He just needs to go out here and have a great combine and show some of the that lateral jump-cut ability,” said Riddick, “and they have some good drills that will test that here. We’ll see what he looks like.”

If Henry runs well and at least looks competent catching the football, then he has a chance to overtake Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott as the draft’s premier back. No matter what, he’ll certainly be the biggest.