There were 23 members of the Tide’s 2015 SEC Championship football team earning their bachelor’s and master’s degrees during the fall semester.
Nick Saban with football graduates. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates Kenyan Drake on his graduation. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates Reggie Ragland Photo by Amelia B. Barton 12-12-15 MFB December Graduates Nick Saban Reggie Ragland on graduating. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates Korren Kirven on graduating. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates Brandon Greene on graduation. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates Alphonse Taylor on graduation. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates Cyrus Jones on graduating. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Alec Morris (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Dillon Lee (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Michael Nysewander. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Darren Lake (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Dalvin Tomlinson. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Isaac Luatua. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Dakota Ball. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Denzel Devall. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Jarran Reed. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Bernel Jones. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Ty Flournoy-Smith. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Geno Smith. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Ryan Anderson. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban congratulates graduate Dominick Jackson. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)
Kenyan Drake, Reggie Ragland, Cyrus Jones, Jarran Reed, Alphonse Taylor, Dominick Jackson, Ryan Anderson, Dakota Ball, Parker Barrineau, Denzel Devall, Ty Flournoy-Smith, Brandon Greene, Bernel Jones, Korren Kirven, Darren Lake, Dillon Lee, Alec Morris, Michael Nysewander, Geno Matias-Smith and Dalvin Tomlinson earned bachelor’s degrees. Jake Coker, Ryan Kelly and Issac Luatua graduated with their master’s degrees.
All told, there will be 29 Alabama players suiting up for the upcoming Cotton Bowl who have already earned their degrees before stepping on the field, the most during the Nick Saban era of Crimson Tide football.
The day ended with Henry claiming the Heisman Trophy. The Alabama running back edged out fellow finalists Christian McCaffrey of Stanford and Deshaun Watson of Clemson.
Henry broke Herschel Walker’s Southeastern Conference rushing record with 1,986 yards this season.
Derrick Henry poses with the Heisman trophy. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Derrick Henry talks with the media. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Derrick Henry poses with the Heisman trophy. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Derrick Henry talks with the media. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Heisman finalists tour New York. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Heisman finalists pose with the trophy. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Derrick Henry poses with the Heisman trophy. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Derrick Henry at the Heisman ceremony. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Derrick Henry and Nick Saban pose with the Heisman trophy. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Derrick Henry poses with the Heisman trophy. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Derrick Henry poses with the Heisman trophy. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Heisman finalists take a selfie. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Derrick Henry poses with the Heisman trophy. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Derrick Henry poses with the Heisman trophy. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Henry used his acceptance speech to thank those who have contributed to his success on and off the football field.
“I’m a little nervous. I don’t do this every day,” Henry began his speech. “But first off, I just want to thank God for bringing me here and winning this prestigious award. He’s been so good for me in my life and I’ve been honored and blessed to get this opportunity. Since I was a kid, this has been a lifelong goal and a dream of mine, and I’m just so thankful.”
Henry went on to thank family, coaches, teammates and members of the Crimson Tide football apparatus, from academic support to athletic department leadership.
He singled out head coach Saban.
“The man who believed in me by recruiting me, bringing me to the University of Alabama, seeing me grow as a player and as a person, and you can learn a lot from him, just from the game and from football,” he said to Saban. “And every day I come to that football facility, I know it’s going to be a challenge. I know every day it’s not going to be easy. No day is easy, but I know every day I’m going to be challenged by you. You’re a loyal coach, you always challenge us, and I just love you coach, man. Without you I wouldn’t be here today.”
