In today’s day and age of NFL riches and taking care of one’s self, Ohio State running back, TreVeyon Henderson, is a breath of fresh air in a room full of smoke.
On Tuesday, Henderson confirmed that he would be in uniform and playing in the Cotton Bowl against Missouri, despite having the talent to be an early to mid-round NFL draft pick come April. That’s one whale of a weapon that will make a huge difference if the Buckeyes are to beat a very good Missouri team.
Beyond that is anyone’s guess, including Henderson, who says that he is leaning on his faith to lead him in what to do next season — whether to go on to the NFL or return to Columbus for one more season.
“I’m really just leaning on God to lead me toward my destiny and what he has planned for me,” Henderson said. “If I use my own understanding, I don’t know which way to go. So that’s why I lean on God, my father.”
And before you disregard the decision because Henderson isn’t currently projected as a first-round draft pick, we’ve seen many others jump to the NFL and sit out with less sitting on the table of fortune. In an era of “me first,” Henderson isn’t exactly putting what’s right for No. 1 ahead of everything else.
I’m not knocking others for making a different decision either. I get it. Why mortgage your future for a fairly meaningless bowl game in the grand scheme of things? However, there was indeed a time when finishing things out with your teammates was celebrated much, much more in this country of ours.
TreVeyon Henderson confirmed he is playing in this week's Cotton Bowl: https://t.co/Jgu3Lr9LWC
— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) December 27, 2023
That seems to be where Henderson is. I’m sure he feels like he’s missed more than his fair share of playing time because of injury, and I’m sure he feels like he should be higher up draft boards, and that’s before we even start the conversation of what he might be getting in name, image and likeness money. Still, he’s playing. He could easily sit out, ponder the decision, and then come back, but instead, with his future unknown, he’s going to give it one more go with the “brotherhood” we hear so much about and then let the chips fall where they may.
It’s a decision as pure as “cotton,” and we’ll all be rooting for him to have a massive game and stay healthy enroute to an Ohio State victory. Win or lose, Henderson has already won the hearts of Buckeye Nation by playing Friday night.
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