AU Commit Alvin Henderson: Alabama’s Next Legendary Prep Football Icon Continues to Shine

By David Brent Martin

ELBA — In the small town of Elba, Ala., population just under 4,000, a rising star is dominating the high school football scene. Senior running back Alvin Henderson is putting together a season that belongs in the pantheon of American high school football legends, following in the footsteps of small-town greats like Bo Jackson, Stephen Davis, Derrick Henry, Garrison Hearst and Herschel Walker.

Henderson is averaging a jaw-dropping 273.6 rushing yards per game, with an astounding 37 touchdowns so far this season. His electrifying performances have made him a household name not only in Elba, but among scouts and football enthusiasts nationwide.

Currently, the Auburn University commit leads the country in total points scored, with 230, while his 2,189 rushing yards and staggering 13.4 yards per carry on 163 attempts have cemented his status as one of the most dynamic prep athletes in the nation.

At 5’9” and 205 pounds, Henderson is a force to be reckoned with on the field. His blistering pace, combined with brute strength and vision, makes him almost impossible to contain.

These attributes were on full display during a now-legendary shootout between Elba and McKenzie, where Henderson's performance made national headlines. Despite Elba’s 80-78 loss, Henderson shattered records, scoring an unbelievable nine touchdowns while rushing for 446 yards on 41 carries—an astonishing 10.9 yards per attempt. Henderson’s nine rushing touchdowns tied the all-time Alabama High School Athletic Association record for rushing scores in a game.

His resume only grows more impressive. On September 13, Henderson powered his way to 345 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on just 18 carries in a 68-28 rout of Kinston. A week later, he followed up with five touchdowns against Brantley, and earlier in the season, he crossed the goal line five times against Luverne.

Against Goshen, he racked up 344 yards on 26 carries, scoring four times, with his longest run of the season—a 92-yard sprint—showcased his breakaway ability. On October 10, he continued his rampage with a 155-yard, seven-carry performance, including a 71-yard touchdown, as Elba dismantled Pleasant Home 56-8.

With 36 rushing touchdowns and one receiving score this season alone, Henderson's cumulative career stats are even more breathtaking: 9,499 rushing yards at an eye-popping 13.6 yards per carry, 168 rushing touchdowns, and 177 total scores. Despite his 4-star ranking, his numbers tell a story worthy of 5-star status.

Henderson’s excellence has not gone unnoticed. Alongside national standouts like Duncanville’s Keelon Russell, Carrollton’s Julian Lewis, and Danville’s Montavin Quisenberry, Henderson was named to MaxPreps’ Midseason National Player of the Year watch list—a well-deserved nod for a player who continues to break records with each game.

While Henderson is firmly committed to Auburn, top programs like Penn State remain interested in his services, and with good reason. Henderson's sky-high potential and versatility—he also excels in baseball and basketball—make him one of the most coveted recruits in the country.

As the Elba Tigers (6-2, Region 4-1) prepare to take on Georgiana this Friday, all eyes will once again be on Henderson, the small-town back with a larger-than-life presence on the field.