LaDarius Henderson, IOL Michigan: 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Henderson was a three-star recruit from Waxahachie High School in Waxahachie, Texas in the class of 2019

Arizona State transfer LaDarius Henderson is a mauling offensive lineman who will improve the quality of play along Michigan’s front. Henderson projects as a third round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. He could go even higher if he cleans up some of his technical flaws in pass protection.

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LaDarius Henderson, IOL Michigan: 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Fifth-year graduate transfer at left guard from Waxahachie, Texas

Background: Henderson was a three-star recruit from Waxahachie High School in Waxahachie, Texas in the class of 2019. He was the No. 730 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 749 for On3.com. Henderson was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 78 grade out of 100. He transferred from Arizona State to Michigan for the 2023 season. Henderson began playing football as a junior in high school. He only allowed one sack as a high school senior. Henderson was born on December 11, 2001.

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed six games in 2022 with a central slip extensor tendon injury in his ring finger that required surgery

Awards: 2021 Honorable Mention All-Pac-12

Pros: Starting experience at left tackle and left guard, committed three penalties in 2021 and 2022 combined, arm length that could work at tackle, leadership traits, mauler mentality, looks to deliver the kill shot, goes for finishing rib shots in pass pro, powerful upper body extensions to throw defenders off balance, re-anchors to absorb power rushes, usually diagnoses and passes off stunts, explosive out of his stance, rare explosive steps to reach the second level and demolish defenders, nasty finisher in the run game, wants to pancake defenders, strength to seal run lanes, lands blows with force to cause displacement, mobility and hustle to lead block on screens and execute pulls, moves with quality speed and awareness in space

Cons: Most recent significant time spent playing tackle was in 2019 when his mechanics were a mess, pad level was consistently high when he played tackle, pad level is still a concern at guard, lacks agility and footwork to mirror defenders on an island at tackle, lateral footwork and footspeed, footwork can be sloppy and leave him unbalanced, gets top heavy and leaves his feet behind, vulnerable to spin move, hand placement needs refinement, needs to replace his hands faster, puts too much faith in his anchor and allows defenders into his chest, clamp and angles need to be better to contain and control defenders within his frame, becomes very upright in space, sells out for big hits at the second level instead of sustained blocks, angles to second level blocks are inconsistent

Overview: Henderson began starting at left tackle for the Sun Devils as a true freshman when he was only 17 years old. Henderson moved to left guard full-time after splitting brief stints between right guard and right tackle during the shortened 2020 season. He was a team captain for Arizona State in 2022. Despite his physical playing style, Henderson only drew three penalties during the 2021 and 2022 seasons combined. He has the arm length to play tackle but lacks the agility, balance, and footwork to mirror edge rushers on an island. Henderson brings a mauler mentality to the football field. He’s always looking to deliver the kill shot, even landing blows to the ribs of preoccupied or elevated defenders in pass protection. As a pass blocker, the Texas native uses his powerful upper body extensions to throw defenders off balance. His anchor isn’t the strongest, but he can re-anchor and absorb power rushes after retreating a few steps. Henderson usually diagnoses and responds to stunts. The former three-star recruit is explosive out of his stance in the run game. He uses his rare explosiveness to reach the second level and demolish defenders. There’s room for him to improve his angles to these second level blocks. He’s a nasty finisher who wants to pancake defenders. Henderson easily seals defenders to open rush lanes. His forceful blows cause significant displacement. The former Sun Devil has the mobility and hustle to lead block on screens and execute pulls in a gap scheme. He moves with good speed and awareness in space but plays too upright. Henderson sells out for big hits at the second level instead of working to land and sustain blocks. His pad level in pass protection is concerning, and his hand usage doesn’t help him establish leverage. Henderson needs to replace his hands faster and focus on keeping defenders away from his chest. His clamp and angles must be better to contain defenders within his frame and control their movements. Henderson’s footwork is sloppy at times and leaves him unbalanced. He gets top heavy, which leads to his upper and lower body becoming disconnected in their movements. This makes him vulnerable to spin and swim moves.

Overall, Henderson offers impressive physical traits, proven leadership, and a menacing blocking mentality, but he still needs to clean up his technique in pass protection. Henderson projects as a Day 2 guard in the upcoming draft. He’s best suited for an inside zone scheme but could play in a gap offense.  

Role & Scheme Fit: Left guard in an inside zone or gap scheme

Round Projection: Third Round

Size: 6'5", 310 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 05-24-23