JJ Henderson

Cornerback / Stetson

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

JJ Henderson:  Height is 5’10, 180 and I don’t have a forty time.         

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

JJ Henderson:  I am just doing the same thing.  I work out with a trainer.  I lift and then do field work.  My trainer has a private gym. 

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

JJ Henderson:  I played basketball for as long as football.  I played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa at an all-star game my senior year.  I always loved football more.            

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

JJ Henderson:  Receiver, corner, and safety.  I was recruited as an athlete.  Many places wanted me to play DB.          

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

JJ Henderson:  Stetson was interested in me.  I didn’t have a good test score.  I was struggling with the SAT at first and then the ACT.  I took AP classes and had a 3.5 GPA in high school. 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up Stetson? 

JJ Henderson:  Stetson was the only offer.   

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your career.    

JJ Henderson:  I redshirted my first year.  I made second team all-conference during my first year.  I was named defensive freshman of the year in the conference.  I made second team all-conference again as a sophomore.  We went 8-2 that year.  I was first team all-conference last year. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your individual expectations for your senior year? 

JJ Henderson:  Individually, I definitely want to win first team all-conference.  I want to become an FCS All-American.            

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

JJ Henderson:  Passion and love for the game.  I watch a lot of film and I have good instincts too. 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

JJ Henderson:  You always have to perfect your technique.  Be better in and out of your breaks. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

JJ Henderson:  It was my redshirt sophomore year.  We had young guys in my class.  We received significant playing time.  Everything clicked.  The team came together, and we played good football.  It was a team atmosphere.  We put the work in and won a lot of games.          

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

JJ Henderson:  Perform on demand.  Perform all the time.  Put the work in and take everything you do seriously.  Always give it 110%.  Max energy and effort.          

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

JJ Henderson:  I have two players.  Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu.         

Alex Khvatov:  Who do you model your game after?

JJ Henderson:  I have a lot of players that I look at.  I like the way Patrick Peterson competes and travels with best receiver everywhere.  His technique is flawless.  I like Tyrann Mathieu’s instincts. 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

JJ Henderson:  Safety Dwight Lawrence will be a junior.  He should have a great season.  Jalen Leary was the first RB here to rush for 1,000+ yards in a season.  He will be a sophomore coming up.  Junior Jalen Mason transferred from Jacksonville University and had to sit out a year.  He came to us before they closed the program down.            

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

JJ Henderson:  The #4 receiver from Butler.  He was really good.          

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a CB?

JJ Henderson:  Competing and having short memory.  Don’t let anything faze you.  Go on to the next play.  Trust your technique. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

JJ Henderson:  The relationships and friendships with the guys. 

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from Stetson this upcoming season? 

JJ Henderson:  The expectations are high.  Compete for the conference championship.  We have a good shot.  We definitely have a lot of players coming back.  I will be a captain this year.  It is already official. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

JJ Henderson:  Spending time with my family and playing Call of Duty.          

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

JJ Henderson:  I am a business administration major and I plan to graduate in December.  I have one class left.  I want to play professionally in the NFL.  Then I want to work for a big-time business. 

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

JJ Henderson:  I have been to Japan.  I lived there for two years.  My dad worked on an Air Force base there.  It was different from America.  The whole lifestyle.      

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

JJ Henderson:  Passionate, hard-working, motivated, determined, and caring.