Looking to see cj Henderson highlights from his Florida football career? He was a talented cover cornerback for the Gators. He earned first team All-SEC and Preseason All-SEC honors and was named to the Coaches’ All-SEC first team. His high tackle total of 32 was a career high. The next time you watch college football highlights, you’ll want to see how well Henderson covers receivers and plays man coverage.
cj henderson was a cover corner at Florida
C.J. Henderson was a four-star recruit out of Miami. His Florida career was up and down. He was airtight during his sophomore season, but he regressed in his senior campaign. His coverage was inconsistent, but he did record four interceptions. Henderson’s size and speed combination give him a tremendous upside. He’ll need to improve his tackling and finding the ball downfield to be a productive player.
He missed the spring game due to personal reasons, but bounced back with a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. He benched 225 pounds 20 times and posted a 37.5-inch vertical leap. The Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping Henderson’s selection will offset the losses of A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey, but other teams are also interested. UF landed Vernon Hargreaves III and Shaquill Griffin in the first round last year.
In 2018, Henderson played as a boundary corner in defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s 3-4 scheme. He was targeted just 4.2 times a game, and teams used that to their advantage, trying to throw the ball away to avoid him. Henderson is a fine athlete, but his catch point skills are immature, resulting in early contact and inconsistent plays. If he plays the right way, he could become a solid No. 1 corner in the NFL.
he was named to the Preseason First Team All-SEC and the Coaches’ All-SEC First Team
As a freshman, CJ Henderson impressed the coaching staff at Florida. The cornerback didn’t intercept a pass, but his coaches gave him first team honors. While he’ll likely have growing pains, he’s a very talented player and could contribute to a great defense. Here are some of the reasons why Henderson earned these honors.
During his sophomore season, Henderson was named to the Coaches’ All-SEC Second Team. He also earned a Preseason First Team All-SEC nod. This was his first season playing in the SEC, but he earned his spot by excelling on the field. He recorded a season-high 38 tackles, including two sacks. Moreover, he was named to the Preseason First Team All-SEC and the Coaches’ All-SEC First Team, a distinction that is only earned after a stellar season.
Another Kentucky Wildcat on the preseason All-SEC is junior wide receiver Lynn Bowden. Bowden was selected as a Second Team All-Purpose Threat, Second Team Wide Receiver, and Third Team Defensive Player. In addition to CJ Henderson, the conference also recognized senior offensive guard Logan Stenberg, junior center Drake Jackson, and sophomore cornerback Jashaun Corbin.
he played man coverage
In the game against Kentucky, C.J. Henderson lined up in man coverage at the line of scrimmage. Hilton is the top deep threat and speed player in the NFL, making it a tough task for any cornerback to cover him. Henderson did not seem rattled, though. The key to Henderson’s play is his athleticism. When Hilton breaks out of the line, he sticks his foot in the ground and is able to make a quick comeback route.
Despite his reputation as a man-coverage cornerback, Henderson is still a good option. He played well in college, recording 20 passes defensed and six interceptions. His athletic gifts fit well into Collen’s man-zone hybrid system. If he can stay healthy and improve his speed and agility, he’s a good fit for Arizona. While his lack of size may cause some concern for a defensive coordinator, Henderson has the ability to make an impact.
he has a career high of 32 tackles
The 2020 first-round pick out of Florida State has returned to practice Monday. He had rolled his ankle during Friday’s practice but hasn’t missed a beat. Last year, Henderson was one of the top cornerback prospects in the NFL draft, earning first team All-SEC honors. Henderson recorded 32 tackles and 11 pass breakups in 10 games, including one for a touchdown. Henderson’s father didn’t have any reservations about his son potentially hurting his draft stock if he plays too much against Auburn.
Though his overall production has waned in recent years, Henderson has elite traits and could develop into a Pro Bowl outside cornerback in time. While he’s still developing as a tackler, his ball skills and fluid hips should translate into an increased role in the NFL. He has the size and length to become a productive rookie starter. If he can improve his tackling, Henderson will be a top option in this class.
he could be a Pro Bowl outside cornerback
The video below shows how he can play against a wide receiver. He is in off man coverage on Kentucky’s 6’3″, 207-pound wide receiver, Tavin Richardson. Henderson doesn’t turn to run when Richardson explodes off the line. He possesses good length and quick feet to make a big play on a low pass. After the game, I hope to see more of Henderson.
Although it may seem like a long shot, CJ Henderson could be a Pro Bowl-caliber outside cornerback if he works hard and uses his size and explosiveness to dominate a game. He has the physical gifts to be a CB1 but needs to improve his technique. He has the talent to excel in any scheme, but he must improve his tackling ability if he wants to play in the NFL.
If the Jaguars can keep him healthy, Henderson has a realistic chance to start all eight games and earn a starting position. His fluid hips, ball skills, and route recognition should allow him to become a Pro Bowl candidate. However, he’ll need to be more selective in his coverage and focus on making tackles. He has ultra-sticky hands at the catch point and is best suited to press man coverage.
he was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jags are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They are members of the National Football League and compete in the American Football Conference South division. TIAA Bank Field is the team’s home field. Players from across the country travel to Jacksonville to watch the team play. A recent draft selection of Henderson’s was a great fit for the team. Regardless of the situation, Henderson should prove to be a great addition to the team in the coming years.
The front office of the Jacksonville Jaguars put a lot of hope in Henderson during the draft, making him a top-10 pick. Unfortunately, he didn’t live up to that hype. However, he was a better option than any other cornerback on the team. As the first pick in the draft, Henderson was drafted ahead of stars like K’Lavon Chaisson and Taven Bryan. Henderson had a few solid performances in his rookie year, but not enough to warrant his high draft position.
he played for the Cowboys
Multiple team execs have said that C.J. Henderson could be available in a trade, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have given the impression that they are interested in acquiring the defensive end. Henderson is one of the highest-rated players on the market and the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Cowboys have a need at the cornerback position, and adding a player like Henderson would help the team fill it.
The Cowboys were interested in signing a cornerback in the 2019 NFL Draft, but had to pass on him because the team already had two cornerbacks in its roster. The Cowboys would have to sign two cornerbacks, and the addition of Henderson would give them a deep defensive depth chart. If the Cowboys sign Henderson, they will have a cornerback depth chart that is comparable to that of the Jaguars.
In addition to the two cornerback positions, the Cowboys are in need of a starting safety. CJ Henderson has the potential to provide that, despite his youth and lack of playing time in the NFL. In his college days, he helped the Gators win consecutive bowl games. Since then, the Gators have returned to national prominence. Although Henderson will be a rookie, the Cowboys are not in a position to replace Byron Jones, and the competition for the starting cornerback spot will be tough.
he modelled his game after Adrian Peterson
The first question to ask is whether CJ Henderson is an upgrade over Anthony Brown, who has been inconsistent in five seasons with the Cowboys. Fortunately for the Cowboys, Henderson is available for trade, and they might package him with tight end Dalton Schultz, who hauled in 63 passes for 615 yards and four touchdowns last year. However, he could become a better player before that happens.
While many have compared Henderson to Peterson, it’s not necessarily a good thing. The former Arizona Cardinals running back possesses a strong frame and is a solid blocker. While he doesn’t have the same physicality as Peterson, he is a good fit for the Cardinals’ pass-rushing scheme, which emphasizes man coverage. Henderson is also a strong runner, so he could be the heir apparent to Peterson’s legacy.
