2025 Rookie Profile: RB TreVeyon Henderson (Fantasy Football)

The 2025 RB class is shaping up to be a major rebound after a lackluster group last year (the glorious Bucky Irving slipped all the way to the fourth round). While Ashton Jeanty might be the only true generational talent in the group, this class is deep with intriguing prospects, and a few could even push for first-round NFL Draft consideration. Regardless of where he lands, TreVeyon Henderson stands out as the most electrifying back in the class. His elite pass-catching ability, top-tier vision, and game-breaking speed make him a prime candidate to thrive both on the field and in fantasy football. In this profile, we will take a deep dive into what makes Henderson a potential star while also examining the challenges that could stand in the way of his success in the NFL.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of our Rookie Profile series going on until the 2025 NFL Draft. For more on each rookie, check out Andy, Mike, and Jason’s exclusive rookie rankings and production profiles found only in the Dynasty Pass, part of the UDK+ for 2025.

College Production Profile

Henderson’s dominance at Hopewell High School in Virginia made him the nation’s top-ranked RB in the 2021 recruiting class. A five-star talent with a résumé stacked with accolades, he was named the 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior after leading Hopewell to a perfect 15-0 season and a Virginia Class 3 State Championship. That year, he torched defenses for nearly 2,500 rushing yards and 23 TDs, showcasing the elite speed that also made him a standout in track. With offers pouring in from almost every powerhouse program in the country, Henderson ultimately chose to take his talents to Columbus, Ohio, where he would suit up for the Buckeyes.

Henderson wasted no time making an impact at Ohio State, bursting onto the scene as a freshman. In just his third game, he put his elite talent on full display, torching Tulsa for over 270 rushing yards and three TDs. He finished the season with 1,248 rushing yards and 19 TDs, rewriting the Buckeyes’ freshman record books and proving he was every bit the top RB recruit he was billed to be. He also caught 27 passes for 312 yards, outgaining fellow freshmen Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka through the air.

Injuries stalled some of Henderson’s momentum over the next two seasons, keeping him off the field at times. In 2022, he suffered a foot fracture that required surgery and sidelined him for five games. The following year, ankle and knee issues limited his availability and explosiveness. Even at less than full strength, he still ran for over 900 yards and 11 TDs in 2023. Despite the setbacks, he continued to flash his game-breaking ability, proving he could be a difference-maker whenever he was on the field.

The 2024 season served as a friendly reminder of just how special Henderson is when fully healthy. Playing in all 16 games, he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards and 10 TDs while also making an impact in the passing game, hauling in 27 receptions for 284 yards and another score. Despite his strong play, the addition of Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins led to a reduced workload in Henderson’s final year. That was most evident in his rushing volume. Even though he played six more games in 2024, he finished with 12 fewer carries than he had in 2023. However, Henderson made the most of his touches, posting a career-best seven yards per carry, compared to the 5.5 yards per attempt on 194 carries for Judkins. Even with 50 fewer rushing attempts, he finished just 47 yards behind Judkins on the season.

Together, they formed a lethal thunder-and-lightning duo that powered Ohio State to a national championship. While Judkins took center stage in the title game against Notre Dame, Henderson was instrumental in the playoff run, highlighted by a 94-yard, two-TD performance against Oregon in the quarterfinals and a clutch 75-yard receiving TD in the Cotton Bowl against Texas. His stellar senior season solidified his place among the greatest backs in Ohio State history, closing out his collegiate career with nearly 3,800 rushing yards, 48 TDs, and zero fumbles on nearly 700 touches.

2024 Season Per Game AVG:

• Rushing Attempts: 9.0
• Rushing Yards: 63.3
• Rushing TDs: 0.6
• Receptions: 1.7
• Receiving Yards: 17.8
• Receiving TDs: 0.1

Measurables

If there are three potential knocks on Henderson as a prospect, they would be his size, durability, and age. While each factor is worth considering, all three concerns are overstated and should not overshadow what he brings to the table.

At 202 lbs, Henderson is slightly lighter than the typical NFL RB. However, his 5’10” frame provides solid height for the position, and recent success stories prove that weight alone is not always a limiting factor. A prime example is Jahmyr Gibbs, who entered the league an inch shorter and three pounds lighter than Henderson, yet thrived as a rookie. I highlight Gibbs because his role in the NFL mirrors how Henderson should be deployed at the next level. Just as he operated alongside Judkins last season, Henderson is best suited as the lightning in a committee backfield. This allows him to maximize his efficiency with explosive plays rather than sheer volume.

What separates Henderson from smaller backs who have struggled to earn consistent snaps in the NFL is his elite receiving ability and advanced pass protection. Those traits make him more than just a change-of-pace option, giving him a legitimate path to an every-down role despite his size. He also plays bigger than his frame suggests, showing the toughness to thrive between the tackles. Last season, he averaged 4.43 yards after contact, ranking third among draft-eligible RBs behind only Ashton Jeanty (5.25) and Damien Martinez (4.51). Even without traditional workhorse volume, his versatility ensures he can make a consistent impact on the field and in fantasy football.

The next concern to address is durability. As mentioned earlier, Henderson missed time during his sophomore and junior seasons at Ohio State due to a variety of injuries. The good news is that none, including his 2022 foot fracture, are expected to have long-term effects. He proved that by delivering a stellar senior season, playing in all 16 games. It is possible the Buckeyes found the key to keeping him healthy by reducing his workload with the addition of Judkins. An NFL team could take a similar approach, limiting his touches to maximize his efficiency and keep him fresh. 

Despite past injuries, Henderson showed no signs of athletic decline at the NFL Combine, posting a 4.43 40-yard dash, a 1.52 10-yard split, and a 38.5-inch vertical. Those numbers highlight that his explosiveness remains intact. Like many smaller backs, he will face questions about whether he can withstand NFL physicality. However, from my evaluation, those concerns are overstated and should not be a major factor in assessing his potential.

TreVeyon Henderson is a RB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.45 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 106 out of 1909 RB from 1987 to 2025.

Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/Fe5i92EuvH pic.twitter.com/xrYUR1PneP

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 1, 2025

Since Henderson played four years at Ohio State, he is currently 22 years old, which is on the older side for a potential first-round RB. However, his elite breakout age of 18.9 as a freshman proves he was dominant from the start rather than a late bloomer. This is a key factor in evaluating his potential, as it separates him from older prospects who needed multiple years to develop before breaking out.

Although he will be 23 as a rookie, he still has many prime years ahead. His impact in the passing game could also help extend his career beyond typical age-related decline, much like we have seen with Alvin Kamara and Aaron Jones in recent years. Age is always a key factor in dynasty leagues, but in this case, I would not necessarily downgrade Henderson in rookie rankings just because he is not one of the youngest backs in his class.

What’s On Tape

Games viewed: Akron (2021), Maryland (2021), Oregon (2025), Penn State (2021), Purdue (2024), Rutgers (2023), Texas (2025), Tulsa (2021), Wisconsin (2023)

1. Fast & Furious

While his 4.43 40 time at the combine tied for seventh among RBs in this year’s class, no back matches Henderson’s game-breaking speed and ability to rip off home run plays. He reaches top speed in an instant, bursting through defensive holes and becoming nearly untouchable in open space. His 7.6 yards per touch in 2024 led all draft-eligible backs, reinforcing his explosiveness. Throughout his Ohio State career, he racked up seven runs of over 50 yards, boasting an impressive 17.65% explosive run rate, which highlights just how lethal he is with the ball in his hands.

In the play below, Henderson snags a short screen pass, takes a split second to assess the blocking, bursts through initial contact, and then hits the gas like a Ferrari, rocketing toward the end zone. This clutch TD just before halftime in Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl win over Texas was a momentum-shifting play that sent the Buckeyes into the locker room with all the energy on their side.

2. Pass-catching Specialist with Elite Ball Security

Despite being an elite runner, Henderson offers nearly as much upside as a receiver. While he was primarily used on swings and play-action concepts, he runs a full route tree for an RB and has exceptional hands. Over the past two seasons, he hauled in 45 catches with just two drops, showcasing his reliability. He is just as secure with the ball in his hands, going his entire collegiate career without a single fumble on 667 touches. That level of ball security is almost unheard of, but few take care of the rock as well as Henderson.

3. Tough to Tackle

For a player his size, Henderson is surprisingly difficult to bring down. Last season, he averaged 4.43 yards after contact, ranking third among draft-eligible RBs behind only Ashton Jeanty (5.25) and Damien Martinez (4.51). He also ripped off gains of 10 or more yards on 28% of his runs between the tackles, an elite mark. His 7.0 yards per carry in 2024 tied Jeanty for the highest in the draft class. When you pair his breakaway speed with his ability to shed tacklers and extend plays, you get a nightmare for opposing defenses.

4. High Football IQ & Vision

Henderson’s 3.2 yards before contact per carry at Ohio State highlights his patience, vision, and high football IQ. Despite some questioning his vision, he does not just plow into traffic. He processes the field like a QB, setting up blocks and spotting openings others might miss. He is not just taking what the defense gives him. He is creating opportunities, turning routine plays into highlights.

If there is one area to refine, it is that he occasionally collides with his blockers. But like a bumper car, he bounces off, quickly regains balance, and shifts into sport mode, exploding upfield. While sharpening his vision in tight spaces could help him at the next level, it rarely held him back in college.

5. Professional Pass Protection: The Enforcer

Pass protection is a bit like playing defense in basketball. Technique matters, but effort and determination separate the great from the average. Despite barely tipping the scales at 200 pounds, Henderson is as elite a prospect in pass protection as you will find. His tape is loaded with examples of him diagnosing blitzes, embracing contact, and putting defenders twice his size on the ground. Over 231 pass-blocking snaps at Ohio State, he allowed just 10 pressures and zero sacks. His technique is sharp, his assignments are never in doubt, and his relentless mindset makes him a standout in an area where most incoming rookie RBs struggle. Whichever team drafts him will get a back who not only keeps his QB clean but earns more snaps on crucial downs because of it.

What’s Not On Tape

1. Ability to Handle a Heavier Workload

We have covered this extensively, but Henderson’s size raises fair questions about his ability to handle a full-time bell-cow role in the NFL. He proved he could carry that workload as a freshman at Ohio State, but the wear and tear he endured over the next two seasons, before thriving in a split backfield as a senior, suggests he might be best suited for a complementary role that maximizes his efficiency. That said, Henderson plays much bigger than his frame suggests. His contact balance is exceptional, he is a weapon in the passing game, and he is elite in pass protection. Outside of durability concerns, there is no real reason to keep him off the field.

2. Speed-Variance

Henderson is a decisive runner who wastes no time hitting the gas once he spots an opening. His straight-line burst often leads to highlight-reel TDs, but his tendency to go full throttle without varying his speed can make him more predictable to defenders. If he incorporated more pace changes, he could create additional opportunities to make defenders miss rather than relying solely on his explosiveness. He is more of a downhill, fearless runner who welcomes contact rather than a shifty back who thrives on elusiveness. While he can be a bit stiff at times, adding more flexibility in his hips and incorporating subtle changes in speed could make him even more dangerous in the open field.

Fantasy Outlook

What makes Henderson such an exciting prospect is that he seems built to thrive in fantasy football, regardless of his role. If he secures first- or second-round draft capital, he should be a key part of his new team’s offensive game plan from Day 1. He has already shown he can handle a workhorse role, as he did early in his collegiate career, but he is just as dangerous in a more limited role where he can maximize his touches. His game-breaking speed and ability to score from anywhere on the field make him a weekly difference-maker in fantasy, while his elite receiving skills provide a highly desirable floor. Given his immense potential and strong production over four years at Ohio State, Henderson’s future fantasy outlook profiles similarly to Jahmyr Gibbs or De’Von Achane, both explosive backs who thrive in the passing game and can shift fantasy matchups with a single play, even in a committee backfield designed to keep them fresh.

When evaluating Henderson’s dynasty outlook and rookie draft value, as long as he receives the expected draft capital, he is a justifiable pick anywhere after Jeanty. He may not get drafted as high as Omarion Hampton or carry the positional value of the top WRs in this class, but his explosiveness gives him the potential to be an even better fantasy asset. No matter where you rank him, he should not fall out of the first round and will likely be a top-five pick in most rookie drafts. His slightly older age for an incoming rookie is a minor concern given the unpredictable shelf life of RBs, but it is far outweighed by the impact he can have on your dynasty team while in his prime. 

A team like the Denver Broncos or Chicago Bears, both in need of a true workhorse back, could offer him the perfect opportunity to take on a featured role. Even if he lands in a timeshare, that should not be a concern. He has already shown he can thrive in a split backfield, and that type of usage might actually be ideal for preserving his longevity and keeping him at peak effectiveness. Henderson is one of the rare prospects whose landing spot does not worry me much. His skill set is so dynamic that he has the tools to succeed in almost any situation. His explosiveness, versatility, and ability to thrive in any scheme make him a perfect fit for any team willing to unleash him. With the talent to take over games on the field and in fantasy football, he has all the tools to be a star for years to come.

With more NFL teams leaning into committee backfields, RB value in fantasy football has become more difficult to pin down. That is why it is crucial to target backs who can maximize limited touches through elite receiving ability or game-breaking speed, and Henderson checks both boxes. Whether he is a lead back or part of a rotation, his skill set ensures he can be a weekly difference-maker. If you are looking for a player who can swing matchups in an instant, Henderson has that kind of upside, and it should translate flawlessly to the next level. Buckle up because Henderson’s NFL journey is about to begin, and he is poised to take the league by storm.