Florida football: CJ Henderson is definitely first-round talent
By Jack Neary
Florida football has had many talented athletes grace their field each year. One of those players is most certainly a first-round talent destined for NFL greatness.
The Florida football program has been known for recruiting talent that not only exceeds the fans’ expectations but gives us someone to root for at the next level.
Names like Emmitt Smith, Percy Harvin, Joe Haden have all blossomed at Florida only to flourish at a higher level. CJ Henderson will join this group, and sport a new franchise cap on Thursday night.
Henderson is defensive back hailing from the University of Florida. Standing at 6’1 and a smidge over 200 lbs, he is a perfect prototype to defend one-on-one at the next level. Over his past 3 seasons with Florida football, he’s complied 93 total tackles and 6 interceptions.
In addition to his size, Henderson also has wheels! He ran an unofficial 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL combine. If he wasn’t so good at stopping wide receivers, he might be one himself.
Henderson tracks the ball well, and slaps at receivers’ hand maliciously; his every movement is focussed on getting the ball, which is not only a credit to himself, but to Torrian Gray, Florida football defensive backs coach.
Where could Henderson go?
The latest mock NFL Draft produced by FanSided now has Henderson being taken as the No. 12 pick overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Earlier projections had him going as high as No. 13 to the Atlanta Falcons, but as low as No. 26 to the Miami Dolphins.
From the latest mock draft:
"Henderson is arguably the best corner in the draft, but due to the deep nature of this rookie class, he falls a bit. Las Vegas has to contend with Courtland Sutton, Keenan Allen, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Mike Williams and Mecole Hardman in its division. The Raiders have to find a shutdown corner, and they may do so with Henderson here."
Henderson should be available at No. 12, and if he is, the Raiders would do well to scoop him up.
Other key traits
Henderson is annoying, he’s a pest, he’s a fly constantly hovering over freshly cooked food. Normally these are unbecoming characteristics of someone you want to see more of, but I love watching him.
His only caveat may be inconsistent open-field tackling. Having the kind of speed Henderson possesses often has him playing a bit too fast. Being elevated to the NFL, a league with some of the fastest and strongest athletes should help him slow down and take better angles.
Because of the Florida football program, and some of his God-given talent Henderson’s name will be called on Thursday, April 23, which is day one of the draft. To which team is yet to be determined.
What this writer knows for sure is Henderson has first-round talent, and whatever team decides to take a leap of faith and draft him, will be that much closer to winning.