Gunnar Henderson is TCU football’s feel-good story after one week of spring practices
Nobody has made a stronger impression during TCU football’s first week of spring practices than wide receiver Gunnar Henderson.
Henderson has been one of the most reliable receivers, a frequent target of quarterbacks Max Duggan and Chandler Morris, and even met with the media earlier in the week.
Not too shabby for a walk-on out of McAllen High School. Well, check that. Henderson dropped the ‘walk-on’ label Saturday as coach Sonny Dykes awarded him a scholarship.
That served as a highlight for the opening week of spring practices. Henderson’s teammates clearly approved the gesture by giving him a Rudy-esque moment by lifting him up after a police officer made the announcement to the team.
“I saw the police come up, ‘What’d Gunnar do?’ Then I kind of got the vibe,” cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson said. “He’s been practicing great. I was already cheering before they even said scholarship.
“Gunnar’s been making plays these past few practices and even last season. I feel like it’s a great deal for him. I’m really proud of him. Congratulations to him and his family.”
For Henderson, it’s the result of putting in countless hours to get to this point. At 5-foot-9, 169 pounds, Henderson didn’t meet the typical measurements most college programs desire.
That led Henderson to start his college career at Incarnate Word for two seasons. But, shortly after his sophomore season, Henderson was diagnosed with a broken wrist that he’d been playing through since his senior year in high school.
Henderson underwent surgery and missed eight months, sitting out the 2020 season. He eventually contacted coaches at TCU and walked on in January 2021.
Henderson played in 11 games last season, finishing with two catches. He’s now played his way into the two-deep at slot receiver.
“I’ve worked a lot of long hours and people telling me I can’t do this or can’t do that,” Henderson said. “For me to be here and have the opportunity to play on this team and this program is truly a blessing. But I’m not satisfied. I have goals and dreams, so I’m going to keep working on them until I obtain them.”
One of those goals was landing a scholarship, which he checked off the list on Saturday. Now it’s continuing to improve on the field and becoming a significant piece for TCU’s offense next season.
Henderson said he models his game after a former 5-foot-9 wide receiver, Wes Welker, the former Texas Tech standout who became a five-time Pro Bowler in the NFL. Other “shorter” receivers he’s looked up to include Danny Amendola, Braxton Berrios and Steve Smith.
“All the small guys,” Henderson said. “I just like the way they move and how they can catch the ball tough over the middle.”
Henderson would like to become that type of playmaker for the Frogs next season. He feels the offense is headed in the right direction under Dykes and coordinator Garrett Riley.
“I think we’re going to be an electric offense,” Henderson said. “We’re going to put a lot of points up and put pressure on the defense. Coach Riley is going to dial it up. We’re going to air it out, but we’re going to be able to run the ball too.
“It’s going to be a fun style of offense for the TCU Horned Frog fans to watch.”
