Emmanuel Henderson’s explosive ability standing out in fall camp
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Emmanuel Henderson has spent the last two seasons at Alabama but has played primarily as a reserve wide receiver and a contributor on special teams. He has 22 college games under his belt, but Henderson is looking to make a bigger impact.
If his performance in preseason camp is any indication, the redshirt sophomore is on his way to accomplishing his goal. Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan praised Henderson after Wednesday’s 12th camp practice, while also pointing to areas he can still improve.
“I think E-Man has had a great camp,” Sheridan said. “I think we are challenging him to be a consistent finisher on the ball. I think he’s capable of great things. He’s a great kid, practices his tail off. He’s been very explosive in camp. He can run.
“We’re just challenging him to be a complete wide receiver. He has embraced that. He’s a joy to be around. He always shows up with the right mindset, the right attitude. We’ve been really happy with E-Man, and we know there’s still more for him to go get. But he’s done a good job so far.”
Henderson has five times as many career tackles (5) as he does receptions (1). After catching the first pass of his career against Austin Peay in 2022, for a 14-yard gain, Henderson did not record a reception this past season. But now with starters in front of him moving on and a new offense under head coach Kalen DeBoer, he has a prime opportunity in 2024.
Henderson, however, isn’t looking that far ahead, focusing rather on each day of practice.
“Every day, my mindset is 1-0 and how I can get better each and every day and how I can be a better teammate,” Henderson said. “I just keep stacking on that and building and listen to what they say.”
A former top 100 recruit out of Hartford, Alabama, Henderson was considered a running back out of Geneva County High School. He possessed near-elite speed even then as a three-sport star, running 11.4 in the 100-meter dash. Once at Alabama, Henderson moved to receiver and played there as a backup, as well as on special teams the last two years in the program.
Alabama WR Emmanuel Henderson (Courtesy of UA Athletics)
His 2023 campaign was impacted by injury, as he missed the first five games on the schedule, but Henderson is healthy now and shining after two weeks of preseason practice. With 17 days until the Tide takes on Western Kentucky, though, he sees ways to get better.
“Just finishing plays,” Henderson said. “Big plays, jumping up, catching the ball, those type of plays. Those are really the main improvements.”
Explosive plays are going to be a part of this new-look Alabama defense under DeBoer. Last year, Washington was tied for the national lead in passing plays of 20- and 30-plus yards. For the Crimson Tide, quarterback Jalen Milroe finished among the top five in the SEC in both of those statistical categories. Downfield shots will be part of this UA offense.
“They’re definitely coming in,” Henderson said. “The way we’re schemed now, there’s a lot of deep balls. I like that.”
Henderson has consistently been among the first two groups of receivers during Alabama’s fall camp practices. In the open Fan Day practice on Sunday, he made a contested catch during a 7-on-7 portion at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The third-year wideout has a chance to play a much larger role for the Tide, and he’s making a case for himself this preseason.
“Emmanuel Henderson is coming out there every day and executing our offense at a very, very high level,” said Alabama wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard. “He is pushing everybody in the room to be great at what they do. He shows up early, leaves late every single day.
“He’s made some extremely explosive plays throughout this camp. I’m super excited about where he’s going and where he’s headed for this season.”
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