Pensacola Catholic (FL) 5-star DE Trenton Henderson took his official visit to Texas on June 20th, and he officially announced last week that he'll be committing on July 2nd. Shortly after his visit he also made it known that his final three schools in consideration are Texas, Florida, and LSU.
Henderson spent the entire 2024 season terrorizing opposing quarterbacks as both a stand-up linebacker on the edge and as a traditional 4-3 defensive end. He tallied a whopping 20 QB hits, 10 sacks, and also managed to break up 6 passes at the line of scrimmage. His flexibility and length are on full display when he bends around the corner and explodes to the quarterback.
2026 DE prospect Trenton Henderson working out at #FSU's Elite Camp. @Osceola_Rivals pic.twitter.com/rDLKqm1jZ8
— Patrick Burnham (@OsceolaPat) June 9, 2024
Coincidentally, he looks quite a bit like current Longhorn DE Collin Simmons when he came out of high school last year. Henderson is a bit taller and has more length than Simmons, but Simmons seems to be more explosive as an athlete. Though making the comparison to such a highly regarded, already established collegiate pass rusher is premature, Henderson definitely shows the potential to develop into that type of player.
Though he recently received a crystal ball prediction for his hometown Florida Gators by Swamp247's Tyler Harden, Henderson made it known that the Longhorns are still very much in the running for his signature as of right now. He was also ecstatic when Texas offered him earlier in the year:
""I was very excited when Texas offered me. I was just really excited because that's just a program going in the right direction.""Henderson to 247Sports
Pairing the likes of Henderson with the team's other young edge rushers, such as Simmons, Zina Umeozulu, and Lance Jackson would give Longhorns DC Pete Kwiatkowski a deadly group of pass rushers to bully opposing offensive tackles and quarterbacks for the next three to four seasons. Kwiatkowski likes to use some of his better pass rushers at the BUCK position, and that's also where Simmons exploded onto the scene as a true freshman in 2024. Henderson could potentially rotate in at that spot, especially if he has an impressive spring camp.
At 6'4" and reportedly around 230 pounds, Henderson has enough size to make a difference in year one for any Power Four football team. He also has the frame to safely add around 20-25 pounds and still be able to retain his speed and overall athleticism.
It's safe to say that the Longhorn coaching staff will be tuned into Henderson's commitment ceremony tomorrow in Florida, and he would undoubtedly be an enormous signing for Texas' 2026 class.