Memphis football career over for Darrell Henderson, who will skip Birmingham Bowl

Memphis coach Mike Norvell announced Friday that All-America running back Darrell Henderson will not play in the Birmingham Bowl, officially ending his Tigers career.

Henderson, a junior, declared for the NFL Draft earlier this week and did not participate in Memphis' first three practices following the Tigers' loss in the AAC championship game to UCF.

"He's got a great future in front of him. He did a wonderful job when he was here, he represented our program in a first-class fashion. I know he's going to continue to do that," Norvell said.

Henderson, a finalist for the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back, is second all-time in school history in rushing yards (3,545), all-purpose yards (4,790), 100-yard rushing games (16) and total touchdowns (45).

He also finished 10th in voting for the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Memphis player to receive votes since DeAngelo Williams in 2005.

He became the program's first unanimous All-American after leading the nation in all-purpose yards (2,328), total touchdowns (25) and sharing the national lead with 22 rushing touchdowns. He rushed for 1,909 yards, second in the country, and his 8.92 yards per carry led all FBS players with a minimum of 125 carries.

According to Sports Reference, Henderson's career average of 8.2 yards per carry ties Houston's Chuck Weatherspoon for the highest in NCAA history since 1956.

"His three years here, that's something we always talked about. Taking that next step and going to the next level," running back Patrick Taylor Jr. said. "I'm so proud of him and all the work that he's put in to get to that point."

Norvell said that he will rotate Taylor and Tony Pollard at running back for the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 22 against Wake Forest. Both had a similar role when Henderson left the first quarter of the Tigers' loss to Missouri with an injury.

Taylor rushed for 1,012 yards and 15 touchdowns this year while splitting carries with Henderson. The duo, along with Pollard, helped Memphis lead the nation with 46 rushing touchdowns and be second nationally in rushing yards (3,712). Both marks also set school single-season records.

Taylor also started in last year's AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Iowa State when Henderson sat out with an injury.

Pollard ran for 443 yards and five touchdowns and also split duties at wide receiver/kick returner.

"This football team is going to count on them for the next year and this is their opportunity to go showcase what this duo can do," Norvell said.

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