Long before Derrick Henry won the Heisman Trophy, became an NFL superstar, and established himself as one of the most dominant running backs of his generation, he was a high school athlete with uncommon talent and a future many believed should take a different direction.
At 6-foot-3 and more than 220 pounds, Henry didn’t fit the traditional mold of a running back. Football analysts questioned whether his size would ultimately force him to move to linebacker at the collegiate level. To many, he looked like a defensive player.
Almon Gunter saw something different.
As Yulee High School’s speed coach, Almon had a front-row seat to Henry’s development. While others focused on what made him different, Almon focused on what made him exceptional.
Those four words appeared in a 2011 interview with Georgia recruiting reporter Radi Nabulsi and captured Almon’s early belief in Derrick Henry’s future as a running back.
At the time, many believed Henry’s size made him a better fit on defense. Almon disagreed. He recognized a rare combination of speed, power, vision, and athleticism that made Henry a unique offensive weapon.
“He has breakaway speed. He has very deceptive speed because of his size. You think you have him and then you look up and he is five yards ahead of you.”
When asked whether Henry should change positions, Almon’s answer was immediate.
“I think his best football is going to come at the next level. He is an offensive player.”
Seeing What Others Couldn’t See
The years that followed validated that perspective.
Derrick Henry remained a running back, starred at the University of Alabama, won the Heisman Trophy, became a first-round NFL Draft pick, and established himself as one of professional football’s most dominant offensive players.
But this story isn’t really about football.
It’s about leadership.
Great leaders don’t look at people and ask, “Who are they today?”
They ask, “Who are they capable of becoming?”
Potential Is Rarely Obvious
Sometimes potential is hidden behind unconventional traits.
Sometimes it is overlooked because someone doesn’t fit the expected mold.
Sometimes the greatest opportunity isn’t changing a person. It is believing in who they already are.
That’s what Almon saw in Derrick Henry.
Not simply a gifted athlete.
A unique athlete whose strengths didn’t need to be changed. They needed to be developed.
Recognizing Potential Before the Spotlight
That same philosophy guides every keynote, workshop, coaching engagement, and leadership experience delivered through AGE3 today.
Whether working with executives, educators, athletes, military leaders, or students, the mission remains the same:
Help people recognize the potential they already possess—and give them the confidence and tools to maximize it.
The greatest leaders don’t define people’s potential.
They recognize it before the spotlight finds them.
Great leaders don’t ask who people are today. They ask who they are capable of becoming.
Nabulsi, R. (November 2, 2011). Henry is big back who should stay back. Dawg Nation.
This article references publicly reported comments made by Almon Gunter in the original 2011 interview. All quoted material remains the property of the original publisher and is used here for commentary and educational purposes.
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