Michigan State football: Xavier Henderson signs with Commanders as UDFA

Xavier Henderson had a successful five-year career with Michigan State football and his impact on the program has been nothing but positive.

Although he only expected to be in East Lansing for 3-4 years, he was able to play in 51 career games, overcame a pandemic year, and still managed to find his way onto an NFL team.

Henderson didn’t get drafted like he was expecting to before his senior year in 2021, but his impressive Michigan State career was able to earn him an undrafted free agent deal with the Washington Commanders.

I think Henderson had enough talent to get his name called during the 2023 NFL Draft, but an incomplete 2022 season with just seven games played because of an injury may have derailed his stock.

In 2021, he finished with 96 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble. This was his best season as a Spartan and everyone expected him to build on that as a leader of the defense in 2022, but that just didn’t pan out.

Still, I think he can be a solid contributor in the NFL.

Xavier Henderson has everything a team could want

Henderson is a workhorse, he’s a leader, and he’s one of the more productive safeties to come through Michigan State in a while.

He finished his career with 273 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, three sacks, three interceptions, nine pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. On top of all that, he was one of the best leaders and captains that Michigan State had in a decade.

The Commanders got a good one in Henderson who’s not afraid to step up in the run and make a play or drop back and defend the pass. I think everyone would love to see him have success at the NFL level. Easy dude to root for.