DeSoto Eagles 2018 NG Chris Henderson Prepping for Big Senior Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Off-season work put in with any sport shows during regular season action. For soon to-be seniors, the 2017 off-season is the time when the proverbial lightbulb should be turning on, if not burning bright already, putting all the work in possible before it is too late. One Class of 2018 under the radar talent gearing up for a big breakout campaign is DeSoto nose guard/defensive tackle Chris Henderson.

What Henderson may not have going for him in forward momentum on the recruiting trail can be quickly made up for with coaches knowing he plays for DeSoto High School. The Eagles are fresh off a 16-0 season that included a Texas state title. The depth on the roster during the 2016 schedule was very-very deep, and will be again in 2017. Henderson sharpened his skills on the practice field during his junior season but did not get under the Friday night lights. But all of that is about to change.

Henderson, listed at 6-0, 330 pounds, is the ideal guy in the middle of the Eagles’ 3-4 defensive front. Although game action was not clocked last season, DeSoto’s offensive front was filled with guys like Hyrin White (Missouri), Xavier Newman (Baylor), and Edward Ingram (LSU) out of the 2017 class and 2018 talents like Josh Jynes and Nick Moreland. Henderson may have lined up against the best high school offensive line in the nation, a very strong argument could be made, day after day practice after practice getting more quality snaps fine-tuning his skills than his peer group across the country who logged a full season worth of highlight reel action against lesser competition.

The respect given to DeSoto High School football is evident with Henderson’s recruitment. The Texas Longhorns and Houston Cougars are showing interest ready to see what Henderson can do with a full season of action under his belt. When they take a deeper look, one thing they will find beyond determination is a player physically ready to compete. Henderson has a bench max around 345 pounds and a squat max over 550.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Henderson getting the inside scoop on his off-season workouts and camp circuit schedule as he preps for his senior season.

Interview

Chris, you were on the DeSoto roster last season working on your game in practice. How did that experience against all the tough offensive linemen work out for you?

“It was a really good experience. I got to learn the game and I got to go against great offensive linemen in practice. All that work was getting me ready for this year. I honestly I feel like I got 10 times better.”

How did you improve?

“I really improved on pad level. I used to hop up. You have to stay low against guys on our team.”

Did you hold your own against the offensive linemen in practice?

“Yes, sir. I made sure they knew I was trying to get better so they did not take it easy on me.”

How do you like playing nose guard in DeSoto’s 3-4 base defense?

“I love it. Playing on the defensive line is my favorite thing to do. I have been playing nose guard all my life.”

What are your goals for the off-season?

“This off-season my goal is to lose 15 to 20 pounds so I can be quicker and be more disruptive on defense.”

What are your goals for your senior season?

“For my senior season, I am not worried about the stats, I just want to be All-District, All-State, and win a state championship again this year.”

What areas are you working hardest on improving this spring and summer?

“The one part of my game I am worried about is my pass rush. I want to get that part of my game better for my defensive ends. I want my guys to get sacks.”

You’re a weight room warrior. What are your weight room max totals?

“From the last time we maxed out my bench was 315 and my squat was 525. Our off-season is brutal. I have gone up about 30 pounds on all of them. My power clean is 225.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“The schools talking to me are Houston and Texas. Houston – I went to their Junior Day in February and Texas just started talking to me. I also went to Baylor a couple of weeks ago.”

What have you learned about the college game and/or life from the visits you have taken?

“I understand what college is about for the defensive linemen on the field. Having a good pass rush is a big one. Houston and Texas are big pass rushing teams. Defense at the college level is attack, attack and attack. Texas has great academics. Houston’s is up there as well. Both visits made me go ‘wow’.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“I don’t know. We might go to Texas A&M. My dad (Chris Henderson Sr.) went there during the Wrecking Crew years.”

What camps are you looking at attending?

“During the summer I’m going to Houston and Texas. I may make my way down to A&M also.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“I have a 3.4.”

Have you taken the ACT or the SAT yet?

“The SAT, I took it last week. I’m not sure about my score yet. I feel I did well on it.”

Do you play any other sports for DeSoto?

“This year I am trying to get in the weight room hard. Next year I will throw shot again.”

Last question. What do you do for fun when you are not participating in football related activities?

“I hang out with my brother. We cook. We watch videos on internet about different dishes. We also play video games or play basketball.”

Chris, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Henderson family; Chris Henderson at Houston.

Photo credit: Henderson family; Chris Henderson at Baylor.

Photo credit: Henderson family; Chris Henderson at Texas.