Michigan State Football: Xavier Henderson graded as nation’s No. 1 safety
We are just two games into the Michigan State football season and yet it feels like the excitement surrounding the program is back.
After a few years of irrelevance, Michigan State is on the verge of being ranked and that just goes to show just how good of a job Mel Tucker has done in a short time. No one thought this year’s Michigan State team would be anywhere near the AP Top 25, but after a couple of wins, the Spartans are a top-30 team nationally in terms of votes received.
And some players have exceeded expectations already.
Kenneth Walker III has been a monster through two games with over 300 rushing yards and Payton Thorne has nearly 500 passing yards and five touchdown passes with no picks as the offense has impressed and shocked just about everyone.
Defensively, Michigan State has had a few guys really step up, and the biggest star on this side of the ball in 2021 happens to be in his final year of eligibility.
Xavier Henderson has looked like a pro and it seems like he’s found himself in Scottie Hazelton’s defense and he’s thriving. He’s totaled 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, a one-handed interception, and a pass deflection in just two games, earning some national praise along the way.
In fact, Pro Football Focus has given him a grade of 86.7 this season which is good enough to make him the No. 1 safety in college football.
MSU’s Xavier Henderson is now the #1 Graded Safety in the Nation with a PFF grade of 86.7. He has 6 Defensive Stops (14th NCAA) and allowed 2 catches on 6 targets for only 10 yards and a 2.8 Passer Rating when targeted. He has played 65 snaps in the Box, 67 at FS, 11 at Slot CB.
— Al Karsten (@bigalfredosauce) September 13, 2021
This is somewhat surprising, but it feels like the return of Harlon Barnett has been huge for this secondary because we saw Shakur Brown make a massive leap last season and become an All-Big Ten cornerback and Henderson looks like that breakout guy in 2021.
We’ve seen Henderson piece together solid seasons before, but he’s off to his best start and if he continues this pace, he’s going to play himself into an early draft pick.
Becoming a leader for Michigan State football
Listening to Henderson speak at Big Ten Media Days and become a captain for this team has been fun because it just goes to show that he’s comfortable in that leadership role. He’s starting to resemble Khari Willis both on and off the field.
I actually wrote about that this offseason as I stated that I believed he could have a Willis-type ascension into stardom as a senior.
Players are looking up to Henderson, he’s leading both verbally and with his play and he’s become a steady force in the defensive backfield. It looks like Henderson is growing before our eyes.
Who would have thought he’d be the No. 1 safety in college football through two weeks?
Positional report card from Youngstown State win. dark. Next