Jason Henderson LB Old Dominion | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jason Henderson LB Old Dominion
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (53%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (53%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 79.7 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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74% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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77% |
| Pass Rush: |
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65% |
| Run Defense: |
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72% |
| Coverage: |
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63% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#284
Position rank:
#23
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| College Games: 37 College Snaps: 2136 | ||
ESPN RATING: 74/100
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247 RATING: 84/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.2 (85%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cam Jones - Indiana |
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91% |
| Ellis Brooks - Penn State |
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86% |
| Henry To'oTo'o - Alabama |
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84% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jason Henderson, a standout linebacker from Old Dominion, has emerged as one of the most prolific tacklers in college football history. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Henderson set a school record with 529 tackles at Delaware Valley High School, earning all-state honors and recognition as a top-25 recruit in the state.At Old Dominion, Henderson's tackling prowess reached new heights. In 2022, he led the nation with 186 tackles, falling just seven shy of the FBS single-season record. He followed that up in 2023 by again leading the country with 14.2 tackles per game, amassing 170 total tackles in just 12 games. Henderson's consistency was remarkable, posting 11 double-digit tackle games in each of his last two seasons.
Henderson's accolades reflect his on-field dominance. He earned First-Team All-America honors from multiple outlets in 2023, building on his Second-Team All-America selections from 2022. A two-time Sun Belt First-Team selection, Henderson also excelled in run defense, finishing fourth nationally with 19.5 tackles for loss in 2023 while adding four sacks to his impressive stat line.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Tackling machine with a nose for the football, consistently racks up stops and leads the charge defensively
- High-motor player who brings relentless effort on every snap, never takes plays off
- Exhibits excellent play diagnosis skills, quickly reading and reacting to offensive schemes
- Downhill thumper against the run, shows ability to stack and shed blockers at the point of attack
- Demonstrates good lateral quickness and pursuit angles when chasing plays from sideline to sideline
- Reliable open-field tackler who rarely misses, wraps up well and drives through ball carriers
- Versatile defender capable of playing multiple linebacker spots and contributing on special teams
- Natural leader who quarterbacks the defense, making pre-snap adjustments and aligning teammates
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Undersized for an NFL linebacker, lacking ideal bulk to consistently take on and shed pro-level blockers
- Shows some stiffness in his hips when dropping into coverage, limiting his effectiveness in man-to-man situations
- Struggles to disengage at times when offensive linemen get their hands on him
- Limited as a pass rusher, doesn't possess the bend or explosiveness to be a consistent threat off the edge
- Level of competition at Old Dominion raises questions about how his gaudy production will translate to the NFL
Scouting Report: Summary
Henderson's prolific tackling ability and instinctive play against the run make him an intriguing mid-round prospect. His fit at the next level hinges on finding a scheme that maximizes his strengths as a run-and-chase linebacker while minimizing his exposure in man coverage situations.A 4-3 defense utilizing Henderson as a WILL linebacker could tap into his sideline-to-sideline range and tackling prowess. His non-stop motor and special teams experience should earn him an immediate role in kick and punt coverage units while he acclimates to the speed of the NFL game.
Ultimately, Henderson's draft stock will be heavily influenced by his athletic testing at the combine. If he can showcase the quickness and agility to match his production, he could outperform his current mid-round projection and develop into a reliable starter in the right system.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (C-USA)
How other scouting services rate Jason Henderson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
500.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
49.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.