The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Michigan offensive tackle LaDarius Henderson plans on taking full advantage. Henderson recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Henderson also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, transferring from Arizona State to Michigan, playing both guard and tackle, and more. Let's get to know Henderson better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: How does it feel to be a National Championship winner? Has that feeling worn off yet?
LaDarius Henderson: The feeling hasn't worn off, and quite honestly, I’m not sure it ever will (laughs). Every time I think about it, I’m like wow, we really won a National Championship. I’m a national champion. I get the same amount of excitement every single time I think about it. It's like the clock just hit double zeros again (laughs).
JM: You should feel that way for the rest of your life. What an incredible accomplishment. Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
LaDarius Henderson: I was at Michigan’s facility when I received the invite. I was like wow, this is so cool. It was a surreal moment for me. I’m expecting to have an even better feeling when I get drafted. These months are filled with special moments. This is part of the process.
They say the draft starts in Mobile (laughs). To know that I was wanted at the Senior Bowl, it’s a great feeling. I’m being recognized alongside the top senior prospects in the country. It’s a great feeling.
JM: That sounds like an incredible moment. What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
LaDarius Henderson: I just think my competitive nature made the decision for me. That’s the honest truth. People that know me, my family, my teammates, they know that I’m extremely competitive.
If there’s a chance to roll the dice on anything to make a situation better, I’m probably a guy that’s going to take that chance every single time (laughs). In this case, I can improve my pre-draft stock at the Senior Bowl.
The Senior Bowl is giving me another opportunity to prove myself on the football field. I wouldn’t ever be able to pass an opportunity like this one up.
JM: What are you specifically hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
LaDarius Henderson: I’m looking to prove to scouts and NFL decision-makers that I’m somebody they need to be placing near the top of their big board. I want to capture the attention of the people who are making those decisions in April.
I feel like I have a lot of strong traits and abilities. It wasn’t always easy to identify on film. I think I’ll give the scouts a much clearer view of who I am as they get to watch me up close and personal at the Senior Bowl.
People don’t realize I have a lot of traits that can’t be taught. I have long arms and quick feet. I’m a smart football player. You can’t teach those traits. Either you have them or you don’t. I’m going to showcase those things in Mobile. I can’t wait to put them on display.
JM: There may be some similar traits here, but how would you write your own scouting report? What would you say about yourself?
LaDarius Henderson: I’d start with my off-field personality before getting into my on-field traits. I’d say this about myself. I’m an extremely competitive person that processes information in an efficient manner. I have a high football IQ.
I’ve had so many different offensive coordinators and head coaches throughout my college football career. I’m an experienced guy that’s played a lot of football. Even though I started playing football so late in high school, I quickly developed into an every-year starter at college. I’ve seen so much.
I play with maximum effort on the field. I’m a quick-footed player. I have desirable feet and length to play offensive tackle. Some people are projecting me to play guard as well. I can play that position if necessary because I already learned it early in my career. I’m an athletic offensive lineman with grit.
JM: I love that breakdown. If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL offensive lineman, who would you choose and why?
LaDarius Henderson: Honestly, I see some Trey Smith in my game, the right guard for the Kansas City Chiefs. I love the way he plays through the whistle and finishes opponents while playing the guard position.
I’m obviously not comparing myself to Tyron Smith, the left tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, but he’s the first player that I started watching and studying on tape with great detail. Watching his film helped me learn how to play left tackle when I was in high school. I’ve tried to emulate his game. Trey Smith or even Tyler Smith for the Cowboys come to mind for a player comp.
JM: You’ve played a lot of guard and tackle throughout your college football career. You just touched on it. Which position do you see yourself predominantly playing in the pros?
LaDarius Henderson: That’s a tough question. I really enjoy playing both positions. It will probably come down to the team that drafts me. Whatever they ask me to play, that’s where I’m going to apply myself. I’d happily play either position. I honestly don’t know what will happen.
JM: That’s fair. Some teams will see you as a tackle, others will see you as a guard. What’s on LaDarius Henderson’s pre-game playlist?
LaDarius Henderson: I don’t listen to rock music very often, but the only time that I do is pregame. It gets me in an aggressive mindset to do what I like to do out there (laughs). There’s this rock song called “Love, Hate, Sex, Pain” by Godsmack.
JM: I’ve never heard of it, but I’ll take your word for it (laughs). At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for LaDarius Henderson?
LaDarius Henderson: A successful Senior Bowl means I put forth a dominant week. Honestly, it means I had a great time, I had a lot of fun. I’m going to stick to the fundamentals. I’m going to put my skill set on display. I’m going to have a week that I can look back on with a smile on my face.
