For the third time in four seasons, an Alabama alumnus led the NFL in rushing in 2022. Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs topped the league’s ball-carriers with 1,653 rushing yards in 2022.

After four seasons, Jacobs has 4,740 rushing yards, which is not quite enough to get him into the top 10 among NFL players from Alabama high schools and colleges.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry led the NFL in rushing in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, and after finishing as the runner-up to Jacobs for the rushing crown in 2022 is in position to become the top ball-carrier with Alabama football roots in 2023.

Henry ended the 2022 season 1,118 yards behind Alabama-roots rushing leader Shaun Alexander, who has been on top of the list since passing Stephen Davis in the second game of the 2006 season.

Since becoming the Titans’ No. 1 running back in 2018, Henry has averaged 1,420 rushing yards per season, and that includes a season limited to eight games by an injury.

Henry’s 2022 performance moved him from sixth to second on the Alabama-roots rushing list.

In his final NFL season, Mark Ingram moved from fourth to third. Even though Ingram passed two players on the rushing list, Henry’s ascension kept him from moving to No. 2.

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A third player from an Alabama high school or college had a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2022 as Najee Harris made it two-for-two in his career.

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The 10 players with Alabama football roots who have the most NFL rushing yards include:

1. Shaun Alexander, Alabama: 9,453 rushing yards

Seattle Seahawks 2000-2007, Washington Redskins 2008: Averaged 4.3 yards on 2,187 carries with 100 rushing touchdowns. One-time All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler, 2005 NFL MVP and 2005 NFL rushing leader with five 1,000-yard seasons.

2. Derrick Henry, Alabama: 8,335 rushing yards

Tennessee Titans 2016-2022: Has averaged 4.8 rushing yards on 1,750 carries with 78 rushing touchdowns. Three-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro and NFL rushing leader in 2019 and 2020 with four 1,000-yard seasons.

3. Mark Ingram, Alabama: 8,111 rushing yards

New Orleans Saints 2011-2018, 2021-2022, Baltimore Ravens 2019-2020, Houston Texans 2021: Has averaged 4.5 yards on 1,817 carries with 65 rushing touchdowns. Three-time Pro Bowler with three 1,000-yard seasons.

4. Stephen Davis, Auburn: 8,052 rushing yards

Washington Redskins 1996-2002, Carolina Panthers 2003-2005, St. Louis Rams 2006: Averaged 4.1 yards on 1,945 carries with 65 rushing touchdowns. Three-time Pro Bowler with four 1,000-yard seasons.

5. James Brooks, Auburn: 7,962 rushing yards

San Diego Chargers 1981-1983, Cincinnati Bengals 1984-1991, Cleveland Browns 1992, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1992: Averaged 4.7 yards on 1,685 carries with 49 rushing touchdowns. Four-time Pro Bowler with three 1,000-yard seasons.

6. Antowain Smith, Stanhope Elmore High School: 6,881 rushing yards

Buffalo Bills 1997-2000, New England Patriots 2001-2003, Tennessee Titans 2004, New Orleans Saints 2005: Averaged 3.9 yards on 1,784 carries with 54 rushing touchdowns. Two-time Super Bowl champion with two 1,000-yard seasons.

7. William Andrews, Auburn: 5,986 rushing yards

Atlanta Falcons 1979-1983, 1986: Averaged 4.6 yards on 1,315 carries with 30 rushing touchdowns. Four-time Pro Bowler with four 1,000-yard seasons.

8. Rudi Johnson, Auburn: 5,979 rushing yards

Cincinnati Bengals 2001-2007, Detroit Lions 2008: Averaged 3.9 yards on 1,517 carries with 49 rushing touchdowns. One-time Pro Bowler with three 1,000-yard seasons.

9. Cam Newton, Auburn: 5,628 rushing yards

Carolina Panthers 2011-2019, 2021, New England Patriots 2020: Has averaged 5.0 rushing yards on 1,118 carries with 75 touchdowns. Three-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro and the 2015 NFL MVP.

10. Ronnie Brown, Auburn: 5,391 rushing yards

Miami Dolphins 2005-2010, Philadelphia Eagles 2011, San Diego Chargers 2012-2013, 2014, Houston Texans 2014: Averaged 4.2 yards on 1,281 carries with 38 rushing touchdowns. One-time Pro Bowler with one 1,000-yard season.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.