Why Did RB TreVeyon Henderson Return to Ohio State?

Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson thought he was headed to the NFL this spring. But in the middle of a church service, he decided to return to Ohio State.

TreVeyon Henderson exploded onto the scene as a freshman, rushing for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021. Yet, he hasn’t been able to reach those heights in the two years since. And following the 2023 season, it appeared he was destined to enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

In a surprising turn of events, Henderson announced his return to the Buckeyes … just four days after they landed Ole Miss Rebels star RB Quinshon Judkins in the transfer portal.

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TreVeyon Henderson Reflects on Decision To Return to Ohio State

When speaking to the media before Ohio State’s first spring practice of the year, Henderson explained why he decided to remain in Columbus. “My dreams were right there,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been working for since I was a little kid.”

The third-year RB already had training sessions for the draft lined up after Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri, but he received a higher calling.

Henderson and fellow Buckeyes Gee Scott Jr. and Xavier Johnson embarked on a spiritual journey together, and the two encouraged the RB to ask God for guidance. However, it wasn’t until a church service after returning from Texas that Henderson received his answer.

“I felt God was using the pastor to speak to me to get this message across,” he explained. “He was telling me, ‘This is where you should be.’ I told Gee in the middle of the church service, ‘I’m coming back.’ It was so much joy, like this weight lifted off my shoulders.”

Of course, Henderson’s decision came after Judkins’ arrival — a two-time All-SEC RB with 2,725 rushing yards and 31 TDs over the last two years. Henderson has battled injuries over that timespan, so although he’ll likely take a backseat to the former Rebel, it should result in his first complete campaign since 2021.

And to Henderson’s credit, he’s embraced the idea of being a part of one of the best backfield duos in the nation.

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“I’m excited he came here to Ohio State,” he said. “I’m thankful God led me to welcome him as a brother and to love him and treat him with respect, as I should.”

“When you hear something like that, you expect jealousy to creep into your heart — hatred and envy — between him or the coaches, but that’s not the kind of guy God has called me to be. God has called me to love him and help him, and so that’s what I’m going to do.”

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