USM expecting big things of DE Henderson

By Tim Doherty
tdoherty@clarionledger.com

Robert Henderson has yet to take his first official snap at a position he's never played, and already the freshman is being compared to one of Southern Miss' all-time defensive ends.

"I think he's got chance to be a heckuva player," USM coach Jeff Bower said. "He reminds me a lot of Adalius Thomas."

And like Thomas, who arrived on campus as a tight end prospect, Henderson finds himself in a big-time learning mode after a redshirt season.

Henderson, one of the jewels of USM's 2003 signing class, was considered one of Louisiana's top linebackers coming out of Ponchatula High School. An All-State selection by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, Henderson collected 120 tackles (77 solos) as a senior.

But USM's coaches took a long look at Henderson's 6-foot-4 frame and began wondering whether the 220-pounder could carry another 25 pounds or so to handle duties at bandit, the hybrid defensive end/linebacker in the Golden Eagles' mutant 4-3 defensive scheme.

This spring, they're finding out.

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