The best NFL player from an Alabama high school or college during the 2024 season was Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry, according to Pro Football Focus.

Pro Football Focus provides customized data and statistics for every team in the NFL, and it grades every NFL player on every play of every game. PFF released its player ratings this week for the top 101 players of the 2024 season, including the playoffs.

At No. 5, Henry returned to the top spot among NFL players with Alabama football roots for the first time since 2020.

The former Alabama All-American and 2015 Heisman Trophy winner changed teams last offseason. Henry left the Tennessee Titans after eight seasons and signed as a free agent with the Ravens.

Henry produced 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns on 325 rushing attempts and caught 19 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns in the 2024 regular season. He set a franchise record with 18 touchdowns as Baltimore posted a 12-5 regular-season record. Henry became the first player with at least 200 rushing attempts to average at least 5.9 yards per carry in a season since Adrian Peterson in 2012.

In the postseason, Henry ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries in a 28-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 11 and 84 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries in a 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 19.

The playoffs showed Henry’s connection to winning for the Ravens. Baltimore went 9-0 when Henry recorded at least 20 rushing attempts and 11-0 when he reached at least 90 rushing yards.

The other players from Alabama high schools and colleges who placed in the PFF top 101 for the 2024 season included:

No. 12: Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (Alabama)

No. 25: Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (Clay-Chalkville)

No. 34: Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (Alabama)

No. 36: Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama)

No. 51: Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama)

No. 55: Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (Alabama)

No. 56: Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (Alabama)

No. 61: Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (Hoover, Alabama)

No. 64: Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson (Alabama)

No. 87: Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (Abbeville)

No. 91: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (Alabama)

The top-graded player in the 2024 PFF rankings was Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Between Jackson and Henry in the rankings were Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett at No. 2, Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata at No. 3 and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow at No. 4. Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt and Eagles running back Saquon Barkley followed Henry in the top 10.

Since Pro Football Focus began its 101 list in 2010, the top-rated player from an Alabama high school or college for each season has been:

• 2010: San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (Athens) at No. 12.
• 2011: Philadelphia Eagles guard Evan Mathis (Homewood, Alabama) at No. 18.
• 2012: Philadelphia Eagles guard Evan Mathis (Homewood, Alabama) at No. 6.
• 2013: Philadelphia Eagles guard Evan Mathis (Homewood, Alabama) at No. 7.
• 2014: New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower (Alabama) at No. 23.
• 2015: Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (Auburn) at No. 8.
• 2016: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (Foley, Alabama) at No. 6.
• 2017: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (Foley, Alabama) at No. 15.
• 2018: Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson (Alabama) at No. 14.
• 2019: Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith (Greenville) at No. 19.
• 2020: Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (Alabama) at No. 8.
• 2021: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (West Alabama) at No. 33.
• 2022: Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (West Alabama) at No. 7.
• 2023: Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (West Alabama) at No. 2.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

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