Darrell Henderson Jr.

Darrell Henderson Jr.'s Biography

Born on August 19, 1997, Darrell Henderson Jr. is an American professional football player primarily playing as a running back. Despite his currently free-agent status, Henderson’s journey in professional football is nothing short of earnest dedication and hard-earned victories.

Henderson honed his initial football skills at South Panola High School, located in his hometown of Batesville, Mississippi. His athletic prowess was already evident during these early years, with a whopping performance of 5,801 yards rushing and 68 touchdowns to his name.

As his passion for football continued to grow, so did his dreams of contributing to the University of Memphis football squad, the Memphis Tigers. In 2016, his first year as a freshman player, he proved his worth by playing every single game, starting six, and closing the season with five touchdowns earned from 87 carries and an overall 482 yards.

The following year saw even more growth for Henderson, playing in 12 games, now with an increased ten starts. Despite a late-season injury that led to missing the 2017 Liberty Bowl, he managed to rush for 1,154 yards on 130 carries, resulting in nine touchdowns.

But 2018 was the true breakthrough year for Henderson. Returning to the Tigers as a starter, he defied expectations, rushing for 1,909 yards and 22 touchdowns on a total of 214 carries. This performance did not go unnoticed, earning him a place in the top ten of the Heisman Trophy—the first for a Memphis player in 13 years. However, with an eye towards his professional future, Henderson opted to skip his remaining college career in the latter part of the year and declared for the 2019 NFL Draft.

His talent was quickly recognized at the NFL Draft, with the Los Angeles Rams selecting him in the third round with the 70th overall pick. While his first professional season in 2019 saw some setbacks due to injuries, resulting in him being placed on the injured reserve, he still managed 39 carries across 13 games for 147 rushing yards and making four catches for 37 yards.

Featured prominently in the Rams’ 2020 season, Henderson notably rushed for 81 yards on 12 carries, scoring his first professional career touchdown, in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite another injury moment, he was able to contribute 624 rushing yards and five touching down runs for the season.

In 2021, Henderson began his season as the Rams’ starting running back. He accomplished numerous feats this season, including rushing performances of 70, 78, and a seasonal best of 90 yards in respective weeks. However, the season ended prematurely for him due to an MCL injury. Despite this, Henderson’s seasonal scorecard featured a career-high 688 yards and five touchdowns. Moreover, he was reactivated in time for Super Bowl LVI in 2022, contributing seven yards from four hauls, catching three passes for 43 yards, and leading the Rams to a 23-20 win against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The subsequent years of his career were marked by a lack of stability. Following a brief relationship with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being waived by the Rams in November 2022, Henderson returned to the Rams the following year. His time was spent moving between the practice squad and the active roster until he was released on December 26.

Today, Darrell Henderson Jr. stands as one of the most vibrant personalities in the realm of American football, with his agile moves and consistent performances setting new benchmarks for aspiring running backs. His story is a testament to the determination and resilience in the face of adversities.