Jay Sharett knew quickly that Xavier Henderson was special. The Pickerington Central coach developed trust in a defensive back who flashed advanced football talent even as a high school freshman. But what Sharett discovered off the field led him to realize Henderson could be the nerve center of his entire secondary as a sophomore. And then some.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Khari Willis was absent for Michigan State football’s media day on Monday. The former safety was a two-year starter and vocal leader of the Big Ten-leading defense last season. This year, Willis’ strong safety position will be filled by sophomore Xavier Henderson, who played mostly on third downs last season. His job, according to defensive backs coach Paul Haynes, is just to be himself.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Every year, college football’s regenerative cycle means fresh faces become household names. Michigan State football has a few players who could make an impact at key positions of need this fall. Some have been in the program, some have yet to take a class. But the Spartans are eager to see how a few of these players will mesh by the time they open the season Aug. 30 at home against Tulsa.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Before he signed with Michigan State, Xavier Henderson sought a head start. The safety talked to defensive backs already on the roster, asking about football, classes and the transition to college life. He leaned primarily on safety Khari Willis to fill him in on what to expect. And it was a fitting partnership.
Source: mlive.com
Recap of Ohio State, Preview of Nebraska. Student Athlete Guests: FR Safety Xavier Henderson and SO Linebacker Antjuan Simmons
Source: Spartan Sports Network
Playing time for true freshmen has never been more interesting, as we’re living through the first season in which they can play up to four games and still maintain a redshirt year. Now that Michigan State is four games in, here’s a look at the first-year Spartans who have played and who might be next.
Source: Spartan Tailgate
Heading into last season, defensive end Kenny Willekes was a former walk-on who had bounced around positions and appeared in just one game. Wide receiver Felton Davis had only 14 catches for 200 yards and one touchdown in his first two seasons. Joe Bachie had never started a game but was pegged as the Spartans’ starting middle linebacker of the future.
Source: MLive.com
It was a good spring for Michigan State’s pair of talented true freshmen defensive backs. Both Kalon Gervin and Xavier Henderson, early enrollees in the Spartans’ 2018 class, impressed in their first few weeks in Mark Dantonio’s program. Gervin and Henderson were named Michigan State’s spring breakout players by ESPN.
Source: Land of 10
The Spartans have seven early enrollees this spring: defensive backs Xavier Henderson and Kalon Gervin, wide receivers Julian Major and Javez Alexander, quarterback Theo Day, linebacker Edward Warinner and offensive lineman Dimitri Douglas.
Source: The State News
Xavier Henderson cut his senior year of high school short to enroll early at Michigan State. After arriving in East Lansing in January, the freshman safety began winter conditioning. There was film to review and a defensive scheme to study with spring practice approaching. And, football wasn’t the only challenging adjustment for Henderson as he began college life.
Source: MLive.com
Xavier Henderson and Trent Gillison were teammates at Pickerington Central High School in Ohio. They were both four-star prospects and both signed with Michigan State’s 2018 class on Dec. 20. Gillison, a tight end, is finishing the school year at Pickerington Central, in part to play his senior season of baseball. Henderson, a safety, chose to be an early enrollee and arrived at Michigan State in January to begin classes and working out with the team.
Source: MLive.com
There are seven freshmen who enrolled early at Michigan State to get a jumpstart on their college football careers. Two of them, Kalon Gervin and Xavier Henderson, are making an immediate impact. And they are getting a lot of love from the teammates they will be competing with for playing time this fall.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Xavier Henderson can remember the exact moment he realized he wasn’t in high school anymore. All freshmen have that moment, especially those who enroll early. Henderson falls in that category at Michigan State, a four-star defensive back from Pickerington Central in Ohio who came to East Lansing in January looking to get a head start on his college career.
Source: Detroit Newss
Let’s be clear: Michigan State’s 2018 football recruiting class is not done. The Spartans still have work to do before National Signing Day on Feb. 7. But with 20 players already signed after the early period, and seven of them already on campus, the vast majority of the class has been finalized. And though there won’t be nearly as much turnover from 2017 to 2018 as there was from 2016 to 2017, there will still be opportunities for some of these players to make an early impact.
Source: Land of 10
When Michigan State hosted an invite-only camp in mid-June, the fields outside the Duffy Daugherty Building were swarming with players. Some were merely hoping to get the attention of coaches, others were there trying to land a scholarship offer while a small group was putting in work at their next home. That included Trent Gillison and Xavier Henderson, teammates at Pickerington Central High School in Ohio who were already committed to Michigan State’s 2018 class and hard to miss.
Source: MLive.com
Michigan State has 20 players committed to its 2018 class, which is No. 21 in the nation according to 247Sports Composite rankings, and coach Mark Dantonio expects them all to sign during the new early signing period, Dec. 20-22. At least seven of them are scheduled to be early enrollees in Dimitri Douglas, four-star quarterback Theo Day, four-star defensive back Xavier Henderson, four-star cornerback Kalon Gervin, three-star wide receiver Julian Major, three-star receiver Javez Alexander and three-star linebacker Edward Warinner. They will be on campus for the start of spring classes on Jan. 8.
Source: MLive.com
He might just be the quietest member of Michigan State’s 2018 recruiting class, but late Saturday night, Julian Major made some noise. The Penn Hills (Pittsburgh) senior wide receiver shared that he will enroll early at Michigan State, joining Pickerington (Ohio) Central defensive back Xavier Henderson. Enrolling early plays a huge role in helping players ready themselves to make immediate contributions on the football field.
Source: Land of 10
Coach Mark Dantonio said in late July that he and his staff likely will aim for 20 or 21 prospects in the class. On Wednesday, we gave you our predictions for Michigan State’s 2018 class on offense. How will the Spartans fill the rest of their class on the defensive side of the ball? Here are Land of 10’s latest projections
Source: Land of 10
Xavier Henderson was nervous when he arrived for his first camp at Michigan State. He was attempting to impress Spartan coaches and players and stand out from other recruits, but was unable to correctly execute a drill. Then his nerves turned to frustration and anger.
Source: MLive