How does a 6-foot-3, 241-pound tank of a running back who averages 6.5 yards per carry career go unnoticed in college football?

He plays in the SEC where there’s two ballcarriers with better Heisman odds ahead of him, motivational fuel for a player who could easily be the league’s leading rusher in 2015.

We’re talking about Derrick Henry, a bulldozer primarily used to run over gassed defenses during his first two seasons at Alabama. The former five-star and nation’s top prep tailback has been every bit as good as advertised in Tuscaloosa, but we’re still waiting on the ‘and then some‘ from the Florida native.

That comes later this fall.

No longer second fiddle to T.J. Yeldon, a multi-year starter who finished fourth on the school’s all-time rushing list, Henry finally gets the featured title as a junior, perhaps his final campaign if he cashes in at what is now a position with a diminishing NFL shelf life.

Henry posted 990 yards rushing last season and 11 touchdowns despite only exceeding 13 carries in a game four times. There’s a ton of mileage left on those tires, likely a well-calculated maneuver by Lane Kiffin knowing the Crimson Tide’s offense would look much different in 2015.

Henry, Kenyan Drake and tight end O.J. Howard are the only household names returning off a unit that ran the most plays in the SEC and averaged more yards per game than it ever had before under Nick Saban. Heisman finalist Amari Cooper’s departure creates a large void within the receiving corps, but an even bigger loss comes under center where Alabama must break in new quarterback Jacob Coker.

Insert Henry, a reliable offensive weapon who moves into the role of veteran leader with his fellow upperclassmen. He’s there to alleviate some of that initial pressure off the highly-regarded transfer passer, especially early when Saban’s team takes on two nationally-ranked opponents over the first three weeks of the season (Wisconsin, Ole Miss).

Not only is Henry going to move the chains on the ground, but he’s also capable of becoming a security blanket in the flats, a low-risk throw on the swing. He wasn’t utilized as much in that regard as a sophomore since Cooper was automatic in the short passing game (Kiffin’s extension of the run) on the outside.

Coker will come to appreciate yards after the catch from his multi-dimensional backfield mate, the more touches the better for Henry who is a threat every snap.

While Leonard Fournette and Nick Chubb will garner most of the national preseason love and acknowledgements at SEC Media Days, remember No. 27 in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama’s own version of the Incredible Hulk is ready to run with purpose this fall and you won’t like him when he’s angry.