Record-Setting Alabama Running Back Commits to Penn State

Alvin Henderson, who rushed for more than 3,500 yards last season, becomes the third running back in the Nittany Lions' 2025 recruiting class.

Penn State hasn't been shy about recruiting running backs lately and received a commitment Thursday from a record-setter from Alabama. Alvin Henderson, a 4-star prospect who rushed for more than 3,500 yards last season, became the third running back to join the Nittany Lions' 2025 recruiting class.

Henderson, the nation's eighth-ranked running back according to the 247Sports Composite, chose Penn State from a final list that included Auburn, Florida State, Oregon and Miami. He became the top-ranked player in Penn State's 2025 class, according to 247Sports, and the first Penn State commit ranked in the top 100 of the ESPN 300 (Henderson is No. 55).

"The main thing I love about Penn State is, they develop the running backs at that position," Henderson said during his announced streamed on 247Sports.

Henderson (5-10, 195 pounds) generated one of the nation's most prolific rushing seasons in 2023, setting Alabama state records for rushing yards and touchdowns. Henderson ran for 3,523 yards and 61 touchdowns and scored 408 points in leading Elba High to a 13-1 record and the Alabama Class 1A semifinals. Henderson, who averaged 251 yards per game and nearly 16 per carry, was named the state's Class 1A running back of the year for the second consecutive season.

Henderson's commitment represented quite the recruiting move for Penn State. In addition to Auburn, Henderson had an in-state offer from Alabama as well as offers from Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Texas, Colorado and Arkansas, among many others. It's even more notable since Penn State already has two running backs committed to the 2025 class: 4-star prospect Kiandrea Barker from Miami and 3-star back Tiqwai Hayes from Aliquippa (Pa.).

Under running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider, Penn State has pulled several classes with multiple backs. The 2022-24 classes all featured two running backs, including the 2022 combination of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen who will form the backfield this season as juniors. The 2023 class redshirted two backs, Cam Wallace and London Montgomery, while the incoming 2024 class includes backs Quinton Martin Jr. and Corey Smith. Martin enrolled early and has participated in spring drills.

"I think in today's college football or the NFL, the more ways you can use running backs, the better," Penn State coach James Franklin said on Signing Day in December. "I think we made a huge investment this offseason and during the season to use our running backs in different ways and want to continue to grow in that area."

Henderson is the 12th player to commit to Penn State's 2025 recruiting class, which ranked eighth nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite.

AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich.

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