Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
TreVeyon Henderson, RB
School: Ohio State | Conference: Big Ten
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 5’10” / 208 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd Round
Player Comparison: Raheem Mostert
College Statistics
| Rushing | Receiving | Scrimmage | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Att | Yds | Y/A | TD | Y/G | Rec | Yds | Y/R | TD | Y/G | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD | Awards |
| 2021* | Ohio State | Big Ten | FR | RB | 13 | 183 | 1248 | 6.8 | 15 | 96.0 | 27 | 312 | 11.6 | 4 | 24.0 | 210 | 1560 | 7.4 | 19 | |
| 2022* | Ohio State | Big Ten | SO | RB | 8 | 107 | 571 | 5.3 | 6 | 71.4 | 4 | 28 | 7.0 | 1 | 3.5 | 111 | 599 | 5.4 | 7 | |
| 2023* | Ohio State | Big Ten | JR | RB | 10 | 156 | 926 | 5.9 | 11 | 92.6 | 19 | 229 | 12.1 | 0 | 22.9 | 175 | 1155 | 6.6 | 11 | |
| 2024* | Ohio State | Big Ten | SR | RB | 16 | 144 | 1016 | 7.1 | 10 | 63.5 | 27 | 284 | 10.5 | 1 | 17.8 | 171 | 1300 | 7.6 | 11 | |
| Career | 47 | 590 | 3761 | 6.4 | 42 | 80.0 | 77 | 853 | 11.1 | 6 | 18.1 | 667 | 4614 | 6.9 | 48 | |||||
| Kick Returns | Punt Returns | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Ret | Yds | Y/Ret | KRTD | Ret | Yds | PRTD | APYd | Awards |
| 2021* | Ohio State | Big Ten | FR | RB | 13 | 1 | 19 | 19.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1579 | |
| 2022* | Ohio State | Big Ten | SO | RB | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 599 | ||
| 2023* | Ohio State | Big Ten | JR | RB | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1155 | ||
| 2024* | Ohio State | Big Ten | SR | RB | 16 | 8 | 67 | 8.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1367 | |
| Career | 47 | 9 | 86 | 9.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4700 | |||||
Player Overview
Warning: The player overview mentions suicide and self-harm.
It is easy to root for TreVeyon Henderson when you learn where he comes from. A native of Hopewell, Virginia, Henderson watched his mom struggle to raise him and his siblings. An inability to help her led Henderson to anger that manifested itself as suicidal thoughts and cutting himself. His mom put Henderson in football in search of a healthy outlet for that anger. Football not only helped him channel that anger, but it became a way to provide for his family. Although his senior season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Henderson amassed over 4,000 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns in high school. The top running back recruit in the nation, Henderson chose Ohio State over the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Texas.
Henderson made an immediate impact for the Buckeyes. He rushed for over 1,200 yards and set an Ohio State freshman record for touchdowns with 19. After earning Freshman All-American honors from several media outlets, Henderson’s encore was underwhelming. A broken bone and torn ligaments in his foot hampered Henderson much of the year with him eventually shutting it down for surgery. Although he missed three games with undisclosed injury his junior year, Henderson bounced back by almost rushing for 1,000 yards in the season.
Ohio State brought in more talent at the position ahead of Henderson’s senior season, adding transfer Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss. While this reduced Henderson’s role, it did not diminish his productivity. He rushed for over 1,000 yards for the first time since his freshman season while splitting carries with Judkins, playing a huge role in the Buckeyes’ run to a national title.
Strengths
- Vision to find hole even if initial hole is filled
- Bursts through the line of scrimmage and into second level
- Fantastic acceleration and long speed
- Quick cuts easily make defenders miss
- Good contact balance
- Willing and effective pass blocker, but technique needs improvement
Weaknesses
- Not a lot of power as a runner
- Seeks space instead of taking what’s available
- Not a major contributor in the passing game
- Some injury concern (foot injury in 2022, undisclosed injury in 2023)
Let’s See His Work
Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson is one of my favorite backs in the class.
Here are his stable metrics via @PFF in 2024: pic.twitter.com/UTHGpvBWiF
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 17, 2025
How He Fits on the Commanders
The Commanders run game had peaks and valleys this season and the backfield could use an infusion of talent. Brian Robinson, Jr. was inconsistent and lacked burst as he dealt with injuries. Austin Ekeler provided explosiveness and receiving out of the backfield, but suffered two concussions that cost him several games. Chris Rodriquez, Jr. had a standout game against Tennessee, but was cut by the team during the season and will be an exclusive rights free agent. Jeremy McNichols flashed at times throughout the season, but did not do enough to guarantee a role on the team going forward. He will be a free agent in a matter of weeks.
This is the year to draft a running back as there are a lot of talented prospects at the position. TreVeyon Henderson is one of the best and he offers a skillset that fits seamlessly into Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. It is easy to see Henderson playing the same role as Ekeler in the offense: a rotational back that can run between the tackles but is at his best in space. He has lead-back upside, but using him as a third-down or rotational back to start his career makes sense given Henderson’s injury history when he was the Buckeyes’ starting running back.