Last Updated: 7/28/2023
TreVeyon Henderson is yet again another impressive running back emerging in Columbus for the Buckeyes. Henderson exploded onto the scene as a freshman in 2021, rushing for over 1,200 yards and helping lead the Buckeyes to a college football playoff berth. We did not get to see the best of Henderson in 2022, though, as he battled nagging injuries.
Henderson marries the power and speed game perfectly, leaving defenders on their toes often. His quick feet and vision allow him to overcome his lack of home-run speed to gash defenses. He is also a master of deception, manipulating defenders at will by using his change of speed and understanding of leverage. This allows him to draw defenders out of position opening up huge cutback lanes, which we see over and over on his tape.
He is incredibly patient behind the line of scrimmage allowing his blocks to develop and defenders to overcommit at times opening up running lanes. Once they get drawn in it’s all over, as Henderson uses his lateral agility to cut it back off them and is downfield 5-10 yards in the blink of an eye. Once he decides on a hole, look out. He gets downhill quickly with a low center of gravity and a ton of pop behind his pads. He is extremely good at getting lower than the defenders and is looking to initiate contact at the tackle point often falling forward for a few extra yards.
Henderson does not have the strongest contact balance after contact, but it is not terrible and can be improved. He also leaves a lot to be desired in the elusive part of the game, he doesn’t often win one-on-one open-field matchups with a juke move or at all. He also doesn’t offer us the track speed many people look for once he is in the open field.
Additionally, we see Henderson offer some decent things as a pass catcher. I wouldn’t write home about his hands, but they are average. He also does not possess an extensive route tree, but he can run everything the NFL will likely ask him to. I expect to see some improvement here this.
- Quick feet
- Vision
- Powerful runner
- Patient
- Acceleration
- Solid hands
- Manipulation of leverage and speed
- Lateral agility/movement
- Elusiveness
- Lacks home-run speed
- Limited route tree
- Contact balance
- 2021: Freshman All-American (ESPN, The Athletic, 247Sports, Pro Football Focus)
- 2021: Second-team All-Big Ten
- 40-yard dash: TBD
- Vertical: TBD
- Broad Jump: TBD
- Three-cone: TBD
- Shuttle: TBD
- Bench: TBD
- Three-Down Workhorse
- Interior zone would be best, but he could navigate a gap-blocking scheme.
Henderson offers enough to become a true three-down workhorse, this will likely lead to a ton of fantasy points. This all will depend on the landing spot, but he has top-five upside built into him. Ideally, he lands in a spot like Arizona with little competition and receives 200-plus touches. Until we get the landing spot, it’s safe to say he has a safe top-24 outlook.
If you are playing devy fantasy football, he is on the short list of must-acquire players. He will likely split touches with Miyan Williams at times, but Henderson has a chance to lead the nation in rushing this year. The Buckeyes will need to lean on Henderson and Wiliams with new quarterback Kyle McCord under center.