ELBA, Ala. (WTVY) - Alvin Henderson has done plenty on the gridiron to establish himself as one of the greatest high school football athletes in the state of Alabama, but the standout Elba running back now has another top honor to solidify his standing as not just one of the greatest in the state, but possibly in the entire nation.

On Friday, the folks at Gatorade announced that the Tiger senior has been named the 2024-25 Alabama Football Player of the Year, and has also been selected as one of three finalists for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award.

The Auburn commit was selected for this year’s award, which over 40 years has honored the nation’s most elite high school athletes for their success on the field, in the classroom and in the community, after an incredible 2024 season that saw him rush 276 times for a state-record 3,620 yards (13.1 yards per carry) and 61 touchdowns while leading the Elba Tigers to the Class 1A state semifinals for a second straight year.

Henderson’s 10,930 career rushing yards is also an Alabama state record and is also the fifth-best career rushing yards total nationally in high school football history.

When he isn’t on the football field, Alvin volunteers as a morning greeter at Elba Elementary School, has donated his time as a youth football coach, and is part of multiple community service initiatives through his church, all while maintaining a 3.13 GPA in the classroom.

A future participant in the Navy All-American Bowl in January, Henderson’s selection as a Gatorade Player of the Year is the first for an Elba athlete and puts him in elite company with other great all-time stars like Emmitt Smith and Peyton Manning.

The Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award winner, which Henderson is a finalist for alongside Alabama commit and senior Duncanville, Texas quarterback Keelon Russell and 2026 No. 1 recruit junior Nixa, Missouri left tackle Jackson Cantwell, will be announced later this month.

To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com .

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