TreVeyon Henderson explains what being an Ohio State captain means to him

TreVeyon Henderson admitted Wednesday that he didn’t always have the goal of being an Ohio State captain. The star running back has transformed personally during his time with the Buckeyes.

He’s talked at length the last year-plus about the deepening of his Christian faith, frequently referencing scripture, like when he wore “2 Corinthians 5-7” under his eyes during his momentous return to action at Wisconsin last October. That game, he followed up a three-game absence with more than 200 yards from scrimmage in Madison.

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Henderson explained postgame how God told him to stay “patient” while he was sidelined after taking a “cheap shot” at Notre Dame, a year removed from him missing five games with a fractured sesamoid bone in his foot. At the end of the season, he cited his faith in his decision to play in the Cotton Bowl. He also called back to his faith when announcing his choice to forgo the NFL Draft and instead return for his senior season.

Henderson hasn’t been shy about how much religion has guided him. As one of four team captains this season, he’s hoping to use his platform to continue to spread his faith.

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“Jesus teaches greatness and serving,” Henderson said Wednesday. “And so I think for me, I just want to be the Lord’s humble servant and just be able to serve others, the players on my team however I can do so and be the captain that the Lord wants me to be.

“It’s a big responsibility. The biggest thing that I pray on and that the Lord helps me to remember is that I’m trying to please Him and not others. And so just keeping my eyes on the Lord and continue to allow him to work on my heart to be a better teammate and captain for my team.”

Early this offseason, head coach Ryan Day called attention to Henderson’s growing leadership. The Buckeyes brought in a pack of difference-making transfers this winter. Two-time first-team All-SEC running back Quinshon Judkins was one of the biggest names in that group. Like Henderson, Judkins has eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark before. Actually, Judkins has done it twice.

Bringing aboard the former Ole Miss back “all started with TreVeyon,” Day said in February.

“When it first happened, and Quinshon went into the portal,” Day explained at the time, “the first thing was talking to TreVeyon, ‘What are your thoughts?’ He was unbelievable. You know, ‘If you think it helps the team, Coach, then let’s do it.’ And then talking to Quinshon saying, ‘TreVeyon is here, and he’s coming back.’ And he said, ‘Well, I’d love to go play with him.’

“So I just think that both of their approaches are that they can get each other better.”

Day went on to say back then that Henderson’s leadership in his fourth year has been “tremendous” and that the senior has “a different look in his eye.”

That teased the possibility of Henderson becoming a captain. Day doesn’t vote on team captains, though — the players do. Henderson’s teammates ultimately picked him to lead the 2024 Buckeyes, along with wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, defensive end Jack Sawyer and linebacker Cody Simon.

“I’m just so thankful, man, and just being in this position, I just want to be able to bring glory to the Lord’s name,” Henderson said. “And so, like I said, just leaning on Him. It’s tough, man, it’s tough being a captain, because every day you got to come in and people are looking at you to do things right.

“There’s been days where I struggled, and I just got in the secret place with the Lord — just asking the Lord to for help, and He bought me through, man, and He’s continuing to make me a better person and a better teammate.”