5 things to know about CJ Henderson, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft
Could be the bias talking, but C.J. Henderson, a Miami native who is a highly touted NFL prospect out of the University of Florida, is said to be the best cornerback that UF defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has coached.
“He’s the best corner I’ve ever coached. He’s competitive. He plays hard and he does his job,” Grantham told Gainesville.com.
Henderson was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2019 and recorded 11 pass breakups and 33 tackles despite playing in only nine regular-season games.
Here are five things to know about Henderson, who was selected with the No. 9 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2020 NFL Draft on Thursday night:
1. He was committed to the University of Miami before switching to the Florida Gators. He committed to Miami in February 2016, then rescinded and switched to Florida in October, according to SB Nation. “He was born, raised and grew up there (in Miami),” Chris Merritt, Henderson’s high school coach, told AL.com. “I think they’re going to be in it somewhat. That’s where his first commitment was to and then Florida is a place that he’s always been attracted to. I think it was the interest in the University of Florida that got him to decommit.”
2. He believes he’s the best cornerback in the 2020 draft class. Speaking to ESPN’s Maria Taylor (via 24/7 Sports) in an Instagram live video, Henderson spoke candidly about why he feels he’s the best. “I feel like I’m the best because I go against the best week in and week out. I stepped on the scene early and played coming in and out of high school. Throughout college, it was really my first three years playing full-time corner. Me being able to do it at a high level and do it so quickly, I feel like I’m the best in the draft.”
3. He dominated his freshman year. In 2017, he played in 11 games, starting five, and recorded four interceptions. After that outstanding start, he was named second-team All-SEC by the AP and earned freshman All-SEC honors from the league’s coaches.
4. Like many others, Henderson had to find alternative methods to stay in shape during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I work out in the weight room and I get two days of field work at my high school,” Henderson, who is at his home in Miami, said during the Instagram interview. “And then do drills and stuff on my own.”
5. His NFL combine stats stack up pretty high. He’s 6 feet, 1 inch and weighs 204 pounds while his arms and hands measure 31 5/8 and 9 inches. He recorded a 4.39 40-yard dash time, a 127-inch broad jump and a 37.5-inch vertical jump.