Henderson self high expectations as he moves to right tackle

As spring practice gets underway in Tempe, Arizona State offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson is looking to improve after going through ups and downs during his freshman year with the Sun Devils.

Henderson was thrust into the starting left tackle role in 2019 in ASU’s third game of the season, a tough road test against Michigan State the Sun Devils ended up winning. He ultimately played ten games (all of them as a starter) for ASU last season and ironically didn’t turn 18 -years-old until last December.

Henderson had a realistic view of how he played this past fall.

“Honestly, freshman season, I personally don't think that I did that great,” Henderson said. “What was good for me, what was notable, was that I played a lot as a 17-year-old. But personally, I don't think I did that much. You got to do a lot better. I'm trying to prove some things this year.”

2020 will present a different set of circumstances for Henderson. He will be moving over from his usual position of left tackle to right tackle. The change is due to the arrival of Kellen Diesch, formerly of Texas A&M, transferring to ASU as a graduate student to play left tackle for the Sun Devils.

Henderson, while recognizing left tackle as the premier position on the offensive line, said he’s on board with that role adjustment.

“At first, I wasn't too excited about it…,” Henderson admitted. “But versatility is a big thing, especially in the league (NFL). They travel seven linemen and the money isn’t on two positions but I just want to do whatever I got to do to help this team out. So, if that means I have to play right tackle and it’s going to suck at first. I'm just going to go out there every day and work on right tackle.”

Something Henderson recognized was the experience he now brings to ASU’s offensive line despite only being in his second season. He realizes that he will have to step up into a leadership role as he is one of the only offensive linemen on the roster who is truly battled tested.

“We don’t have a lot of experience here on the offensive line,” Henderson commented. “So, my one year of experience is more than some of the other people's experience. I can't be young guy anymore. I’m not necessarily an old guy but in a way, I have to step up and lead more. I can't be 17 anymore.”

An issue last year with Henderson was his size. Standing at 6’4, he only weighed roughly 287 lbs. However, since the end of last season, he has bulked up to 299 lbs. He remarked that he would like to reach 305 lbs. by the time the season kicks off in September. He added that depending on how he feels at 305, he might even try to come in this fall at 310 lbs.

Henderson’s No. 1 job, along with the rest of the offensive line, is, of course, protecting ASU starting quarterback Jayden Daniels. Henderson said the offensive line could be the key to Daniels’ success in 2020.

“Y'all heard it here first,” Henderson declared. “Jayden Daniels is a Heisman candidate next year. Jayden is that guy. He's my quarterback. He's that good. So, we protect Jayden, so he has a phenomenal year.”

Playing offensive line in undoubtedly a challenging task and Henderson said the offseason helped him to feel healthier physically but his hiatus wasn’t lengthy by any means.

“My body definitely needed a break,” Henderson said. “I had so many things that were just nicked up here and there. But I really didn't take a decent break because me and Demani Richardson, he’s a freshman starting safety at A&M…We went to in high school together and as soon as I got off the plane from El Paso, got back to Texas, he’s like, ‘hey, you ready to work out in the morning?’

“During football season, it can get monotonous. Week after week doing the same thing but then you’re away from it for like two days and you’re like ‘man I missed that.’”

As for his thoughts on the offensive line as a whole, Henderson said the group has been bonding so far this offseason. This is why he believes this unit will be special this year.

“I've never been a part of something like this that we have going on right now,” Henderson explained. “The vibe of the locker room is everybody genuinely likes and cares about each other, uplifts each other, motivates each other, gives great energy and that's hard to see, that's hard to do.

“Everybody loves each other right now. That's phenomenal and amazing. I think we're about to be so freaking good because we mesh.”

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