Michigan State's Xavier Henderson signs with Washington Commanders as undrafted free agent
Xavier Henderson, the most noteworthy Michigan State un-drafted free agent following the conclusion of the NFL Draft, signed as an UDFA with the Washington Commanders, Saturday eventing.
Henderson (6-1, 210, Reynoldsburg, Ohio) was a four-year starter at Michigan State, a two-year captain and a five-year letter winner.
Henderson was third team All-Big Ten by Pro Football Focus and media in 2021.
He missed five games due to injury in 2022 but still earned honorable mention All-Big Ten status from media.
Henderson, who graduated with a degree in communications in December of 2021, was the quarterback of the defense and one of the leading spokesmen for the team in 2021 and ’22.
He was on the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nakurski Trophy and other awards prior to 2022, only to see his season interrupted by a lower body injury on opening night. He missed five straight games before returning for the final five games of the season.
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Henderson was also slowed by lower body injury for the final month of the 2021 season. Earlier in 2021, Henderson played with the best speed and tenacity of his Spartan career and was on track for high postseason honors before the injury put a muzzle on his talents down the stretch. Still, he played through pain and played winning football every week.
If Henderson is able to avoid the injury bug at the NFL level, it will be interesting to see what his ceiling of potential is as a pro. Henderson has a strong 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame, capable of playing in the box at the linebacker level at times in college. He’s a team player with excellent character and football I.Q.
He had good speed for the college ranks. Sources tell us he is capable of running better than the 4.5 he posted at MSU Pro Day. The question is whether his speed can translate to the pro level. If he’s quick enough to play in the NFL, his other intangibles could make him a lasting commodity at that level.
