Michigan State Football: Xavier Henderson return is just what defense needs

Xavier Henderson took to Twitter after a solid senior season and announced he’d be returning for one final year with Michigan State football.

Right before the 2021 season, Xavier Henderson alluded to the notion that it would be his last go-around with Michigan State football and he probably wouldn’t take advantage of the COVID year.

Everyone just kind of assumed that he was going to enter the NFL draft after the season, especially since he led the team in total tackles (tied with Cal Haladay) and he finished second on the team in tackles for loss with 10. He had a solid year, but the secondary as a whole struggled, finishing last in college football in pass defense.

But Henderson wasn’t the problem in the secondary as there were just countless issues that never seemed to get solved throughout the year.

Henderson was actually a bright spot and one of the team’s top leaders.

Now just a couple of days after Jayden Reed announced his return for 2022, the senior safety did the same, posting on Twitter that he’s “back for next year” after thanking Spartan Nation.

Michigan State fans have to love this news because it both boosts the defense’s outlook for 2022 and keeps a key leader on board for what will undoubtedly be a year filled with lofty expectations.

Having a guy like Henderson on the defensive side of the ball, leading the way, will help the younger guys adjust to those expectations and it’ll go a long way for Michigan State.

Plus, it doesn’t hurt getting a guy back after he nearly recorded 100 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. He’s going to be an All-Big Ten first-team candidate next season and the defense desperately needed some news like this.

Improvement is on the way, folks.