NASHVILLE – Titans running back Derrick Henry left Yulee High School as a king in the eyes of many, and on Sunday, he'll once again return as one.
A Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Alabama who eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing mark in 2020 while leading the NFL in rushing, Henry, nicknamed "King Henry," showed up at his press availability on Thursday reppin' the Florida high school, located just north of Jacksonville, where he first became famous.
"High school, back home," Henry said with a smile, the school's nickname "Hornets" on his chest, his No.2 underneath it. "Hometown repping.
"I got sent this (jersey) a while back and I was looking in the closet and said, 'This is a good time to wear it now.' So, I just wore it today."
Yulee is special to Henry, he said.
"It is my hometown, where I grew up," he said. "All of my family is there, my friends, it's home."
Henry, of course, knows that means he'll have a lot of supporters at the game on Sunday when the Titans face the Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field.
"There is always a lot (of ticket requests)," he said with a smile. "I try to get them out of the way as quick as I can so I don't have to worry about it later during the week."
After four games this season, Henry has 510 rushing yards – he's on pace for 2,168 rushing yards on the season.
Back at Yulee, Henry was a five-star prospect who ended up rushing for 12,124 yards in high school, including 4,261 yards as a senior in 2012.
In the NFL, Henry has had big success against the Jaguars over the years.
He's looking forward to playing back at home, but he knows the Jaguars will be ready to welcome him in a not-so-friendly way.
"It is always fun and special -- all of my family can come watch me," he said. "Having that home presence again and being back home, but really just having my family there and having them watch me play is always nice.
"The (Jaguars) play hard against the run. They played a really good game against Cincinnati, especially in that first half just stopping the run, being very physical, and getting to the ball. They have a lot of new guys that play very well in that system. They take pride in stopping the run and doing things well to make sure no explosive plays happen at all in the run game."
Henry has a chance to accomplish the following on Sunday:
--Become the first player in NFL history with at least 150 rushing yards in four consecutive road games.
--Break Earl Campbell's franchise record with his eighth career 150-yard rushing performance in road games.
--Join Curtis Martin (1995) as the NFL's only players to register four consecutive road games with at least 175 scrimmage yards.
--Record his seventh consecutive 100-yard rushing effort in games against AFC South opponents.
--Register his fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game, which would tie his career-best streak (2019).
--With 59 career rushing touchdowns, he needs one rushing touchdown to become the third player in franchise history to reach 60, joining Campbell (73) and Eddie George (64).
Henry just wants the team to bounce back, and win.
"I think (the key) is just focusing on the things we need to focus on and continue to get better as the week goes on carrying into Jacksonville on Sunday," he said. "It is a divisional game, which is always a big game for us. Just playing our style of football and go out there and try to win the game."
