2019 Football Roster
Roster
Henderson, Xavier
WR/CB
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Jersey Number 3
Xavier Henderson
- Position:
- S
- Height:
- 6-1
- Weight:
- 203
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Reynoldsburg, Ohio
- High School:
- Pickerington Central
Bio
Career Bio (PDF)
• TWO-TIME TEAM CAPTAIN
CAREER NOTES: Five-year letterwinner, four-year starter and two-time team captain played in 53 career games for the Spartans, including 40 starts at safety . . . finished his career with 273 tackles, 28th most in MSU history . . . also had 16.5 tackles for loss (60 yards), nine pass break-ups, three sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery . . . graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication in December 2021.
2022 SEASON (GRADUATE SENIOR): Took advantage of an extra year of eligibility and returned to the Spartans for a fifth season . . . named a team captain for the second year in a row . . . entered the season on preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s best defensive player), Jim Thorpe Award (nation’s best defensive back), Chuck Bednarik Award (college football’s defensive player of the year) and the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, but suffered an injury in the season opener vs. Western Michigan and was sidelined for the next five games before returning to action in Week 7 vs. Wisconsin . . . had a streak of 33 consecutive starts before missing time with an injury . . . finished the season playing in seven games, all starts, while recording 38 tackles, three TFLs (8 yards), two forced fumbles and one pass break-up in 452 snaps at safety . . . despite only playing seven games, was still an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the media . . . started at Penn State in his final Spartan game, posting eight tackles with 1.0 TFL (2 yards) in playing all 72 defensive snaps, one of five Spartans to be in on every snap . . . started Indiana game and posted eight tackles, in playing 50 snaps . . . recorded five tackles and one QB hurry after starting Rutgers game, playing in all 82 defensive snaps . . . logged second forced fumble in as many games with a second-quarter force at Illinois and finished with four tackles in playing 86 snaps of the 88 defensive plays . . . registered eight stops with 1.0 TFL and one forced fumble in Michigan game . . . returned to action in Wisconsin game after missing previous five contests with an injury, and after tweaking injury on first defensive play, returned to field and posted five tackles with one tackle for loss, logging 54 snaps in the double-overtime win over the Badgers . . . started the season opener vs. Western Michigan, posting one pass break-up in 26 snaps, before suffering injury in the first half.
2021 SEASON (SENIOR): Started all 13 games at safety, continuing his streak of 33 consecutive starts . . . named a team captain . . . was a game captain for all 13 games . . . tied for team lead and ranked tied for 11th in the Big Ten with a career-high 96 tackles . . . earned third-team All-Big Ten by the media and Pro Football Focus and honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches . . . also ranked second on the team and tied for 13th in the Big Ten with 10.0 tackles for loss (44 yards), including a streak of seven straight games with a TFL . . . recorded a career-high three sacks (33 yards) . . . ranked second on the team with 992 snaps on defense . . . also saw action on 129 special teams plays . . . played every defensive snap in nine total games . . . played all 55 snaps and had two tackles in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win over No. 12 Pitt . . . started home finale vs. Penn State, playing all 60 snaps and posting five tackles . . . started in home state at Ohio State, notching seven stops in 49 snaps, coming out of game early in second half . . . started game vs. Maryland at safety and shared the team-lead with seven tackles, and also posted 1.0 sack and 1.0 tackle for loss, with season-high 19 sack yards and TFL yards . . . was starting safety at Purdue and posted eight tackles with 1.0 tackle for loss in playing in all 86 defensive snaps . . . started Michigan game at safety and played in all 84 snaps, registering seven stops with 1.0 tackle for loss, coming in end of third quarter, helping force UM punt and part of MSU’s comeback, and one pass break-up, coming late in fourth quarter . . . named a midseason second-team All-American by The Athletic . . . started and played in all 93 snaps at Indiana, and posted eight tackles, with 1.0 tackle for loss . . . started at Rutgers and played 73 snaps, posting seven tackles with 1.0 TFL and one forced fumble . . . played all 95 snaps in Western Kentucky contest, collecting three stops and 1.0 tackle for loss . . . played all 86 defensive snaps in Nebraska game, posting career-high 17 tackles (10 solo, 7 assists), adding one TFL, marking the most tackles by a Spartan in a single game since Montae Nicholson also had 17 stops (Oct. 8, 2016 vs. BYU) . . . played all 90 snaps at Miami, only defensive player to do so, and led MSU in tackles for third straight game with eight tackles (all solo) . . . collected the MSU Defensive Player of the Week team award after leading the team in tackles for the second game in a row with eight stops, and also had a 4-yard sack and an acrobatic interception in the second quarter in playing in 63 of the 78 defensive snaps . . . the interception was his first since Nov. 23, 2019, vs. Rutgers and was third career interception . . . was game captain for season opener and shared top tackle honors with nine stops, adding first career sack as part of career-high two tackles for loss in season-opening win at Northwestern, earning MSU Co-Defensive Player of the Week team award, in playing 83 of 84 defensive snaps.
2020 SEASON (JUNIOR): Ranked third on the Spartan defense with 41 tackles (24 solo, 17 assists) . . . also had 1.5 tackle for loss, one pass break-up and one QB hurry . . . led team with 511 snaps played and started all seven games at safety . . . notched four tackles at Penn State, all solo stops . . . matched career high by notching nine tackles vs. No. 3 Ohio State with 0.5 tackle for loss in 74 snaps . . . recorded five tackles and one pass break-up in victory over eighth-ranked Northwestern . . . logged four tackles and one QB hurry vs. No. 10 Indiana . . . registered six stops at Iowa . . . was starting safety at No. 13 Michigan and notched seven stops . . . started season opener vs. Rutgers at safety, making six stops with career-best tying one tackle for loss (2 yards) in 68 snaps.
2019 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): Started all 13 games at safety . . . ranked second on the team and 18th in the Big Ten with 83 tackles (56 solo, 27 assists) . . . led the defense and ranked fifth in the conference with 56 solo stops . . . also had two tackles for loss (5 yards), five pass break-ups and two interceptions . . . played 838 snaps on defense, most in the Spartan secondary and second-most overall on the defense . . . had three tackles in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl win over Wake Forest . . . notched seven stops in Maryland game, along with 1.0 TFL and two pass break-ups, tying career-bests for both . . . tied a career high with team-leading nine stops at Rutgers, also snaring second interception of season, returning it 32 yards, which was MSU’s second-longest interception return of the season; ended the game with 16 production points, tied for second on defense overall . . . registered a then career-high nine tackles at Michigan, tying for the team lead . . . was starting safety in Illinois game and logged seven stops . . . started Penn State game and had eight stops, adding first career tackle for loss . . . started game at Wisconsin and posted eight tackles . . . started at Ohio State, near his hometown with numerous family and friends in the stands, and logged five stops and one pass break-up . . . started Indiana game at safety and made five tackles . . . was starting safety at Northwestern, tallying six stops and 12 production points, second among defensive backs . . . started against Arizona State and posted seven stops for the second game in as many outings, adding first two pass break-ups of Spartan career, ending with 17 production points, which led defensive backs corps and tied for second overall on defense . . . named the Spartan Defensive Player of the Week against Western Michigan, snaring first career interception to go with team-leading seven tackles, ending with defensive unit-leading 18 production points . . . interception came in the end zone in the second quarter, thwarting a WMU drive and keeping MSU ahead, 28-7 . . . drew first start of career in season opener vs. Tulsa, tallying two tackles.
2018 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Played in all 13 games to earn his first letter . . . saw action on 141 snaps on defense, primarily on third downs . . . recorded 15 tackles (nine solo, six assists) . . . led team with five tackles on kickoffs and ranked tied for second overall on special teams with seven (five on kickoffs, two on punts) . . . recovered a fumble vs. Rutgers . . . tallied a season-best three tackles vs. Purdue . . . had two tackles apiece vs. Michigan, Northwestern and Central Michigan . . . played a season-high 23 snaps at Indiana . . . enrolled for the 2018 spring semester and participated in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Named to the Rivals250 (No. 177) as one of the best overall players in the nation . . . also named one of the 300 best players in the nation by 247Sports (No. 277) . . . ranked the top cornerback in the state of Ohio by Rivals.com . . . named the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Division 1 Co-Defensive Player of the Year while helping lead Pickerington Central High School to a 14-1 record and a Division 1 state championship . . . listed among the top cornerbacks in the country by Rivals.com (No. 18) . . . rated one of the top overall players in the state of Ohio by Rivals.com (No. 8) and 247Sports (No. 9) . . . two-time first-team all-state selection (Associated Press in 2016; OPSWA in 2017) . . . chosen to USA TODAY’s All-Ohio First Team twice (2016, 2017) . . . two-time Columbus Dispatch All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year (2016, 2017) . . . two-time All-Central District Division 1 Defensive Player of the Year . . . named All-Ohio Capital Conference (Ohio Division) Player of the Year as a senior . . . played for Coach Jay Sharrett at Pickerington Central High School . . . recorded four interceptions, 77 tackles and six touchdowns during his senior season . . . had five tackles and ran for 153 yards on 14 carries, including a 24-yard TD run, in the 56-28 victory over Mentor in the Division 1 state title game . . . had an 82-yard TD reception and 16-yard run for a score vs. Hilliard Bradley in the Region 3 semifinal game . . . returned the opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown against Gahanna Lincoln on Sept. 29 . . . first-team all-state pick by The Associated Press as a junior after recording 123 tackles, seven interceptions and 22 pass break-ups . . . also named to the 2016 ALL-USA TODAY Ohio First Team . . . helped lead Pickerington Central to an 11-2 record and a berth in the 2016 state semifinals . . . son of Allen and Amy Henderson . . . born July 12, 1999 . . . communication major graduated in December 2021.
• TWO-TIME TEAM CAPTAIN
CAREER NOTES: Five-year letterwinner, four-year starter and two-time team captain played in 53 career games for the Spartans, including 40 starts at safety . . . finished his career with 273 tackles, 28th most in MSU history . . . also had 16.5 tackles for loss (60 yards), nine pass break-ups, three sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery . . . graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication in December 2021.
2022 SEASON (GRADUATE SENIOR): Took advantage of an extra year of eligibility and returned to the Spartans for a fifth season . . . named a team captain for the second year in a row . . . entered the season on preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s best defensive player), Jim Thorpe Award (nation’s best defensive back), Chuck Bednarik Award (college football’s defensive player of the year) and the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, but suffered an injury in the season opener vs. Western Michigan and was sidelined for the next five games before returning to action in Week 7 vs. Wisconsin . . . had a streak of 33 consecutive starts before missing time with an injury . . . finished the season playing in seven games, all starts, while recording 38 tackles, three TFLs (8 yards), two forced fumbles and one pass break-up in 452 snaps at safety . . . despite only playing seven games, was still an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the media . . . started at Penn State in his final Spartan game, posting eight tackles with 1.0 TFL (2 yards) in playing all 72 defensive snaps, one of five Spartans to be in on every snap . . . started Indiana game and posted eight tackles, in playing 50 snaps . . . recorded five tackles and one QB hurry after starting Rutgers game, playing in all 82 defensive snaps . . . logged second forced fumble in as many games with a second-quarter force at Illinois and finished with four tackles in playing 86 snaps of the 88 defensive plays . . . registered eight stops with 1.0 TFL and one forced fumble in Michigan game . . . returned to action in Wisconsin game after missing previous five contests with an injury, and after tweaking injury on first defensive play, returned to field and posted five tackles with one tackle for loss, logging 54 snaps in the double-overtime win over the Badgers . . . started the season opener vs. Western Michigan, posting one pass break-up in 26 snaps, before suffering injury in the first half.
2021 SEASON (SENIOR): Started all 13 games at safety, continuing his streak of 33 consecutive starts . . . named a team captain . . . was a game captain for all 13 games . . . tied for team lead and ranked tied for 11th in the Big Ten with a career-high 96 tackles . . . earned third-team All-Big Ten by the media and Pro Football Focus and honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches . . . also ranked second on the team and tied for 13th in the Big Ten with 10.0 tackles for loss (44 yards), including a streak of seven straight games with a TFL . . . recorded a career-high three sacks (33 yards) . . . ranked second on the team with 992 snaps on defense . . . also saw action on 129 special teams plays . . . played every defensive snap in nine total games . . . played all 55 snaps and had two tackles in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win over No. 12 Pitt . . . started home finale vs. Penn State, playing all 60 snaps and posting five tackles . . . started in home state at Ohio State, notching seven stops in 49 snaps, coming out of game early in second half . . . started game vs. Maryland at safety and shared the team-lead with seven tackles, and also posted 1.0 sack and 1.0 tackle for loss, with season-high 19 sack yards and TFL yards . . . was starting safety at Purdue and posted eight tackles with 1.0 tackle for loss in playing in all 86 defensive snaps . . . started Michigan game at safety and played in all 84 snaps, registering seven stops with 1.0 tackle for loss, coming in end of third quarter, helping force UM punt and part of MSU’s comeback, and one pass break-up, coming late in fourth quarter . . . named a midseason second-team All-American by The Athletic . . . started and played in all 93 snaps at Indiana, and posted eight tackles, with 1.0 tackle for loss . . . started at Rutgers and played 73 snaps, posting seven tackles with 1.0 TFL and one forced fumble . . . played all 95 snaps in Western Kentucky contest, collecting three stops and 1.0 tackle for loss . . . played all 86 defensive snaps in Nebraska game, posting career-high 17 tackles (10 solo, 7 assists), adding one TFL, marking the most tackles by a Spartan in a single game since Montae Nicholson also had 17 stops (Oct. 8, 2016 vs. BYU) . . . played all 90 snaps at Miami, only defensive player to do so, and led MSU in tackles for third straight game with eight tackles (all solo) . . . collected the MSU Defensive Player of the Week team award after leading the team in tackles for the second game in a row with eight stops, and also had a 4-yard sack and an acrobatic interception in the second quarter in playing in 63 of the 78 defensive snaps . . . the interception was his first since Nov. 23, 2019, vs. Rutgers and was third career interception . . . was game captain for season opener and shared top tackle honors with nine stops, adding first career sack as part of career-high two tackles for loss in season-opening win at Northwestern, earning MSU Co-Defensive Player of the Week team award, in playing 83 of 84 defensive snaps.
2020 SEASON (JUNIOR): Ranked third on the Spartan defense with 41 tackles (24 solo, 17 assists) . . . also had 1.5 tackle for loss, one pass break-up and one QB hurry . . . led team with 511 snaps played and started all seven games at safety . . . notched four tackles at Penn State, all solo stops . . . matched career high by notching nine tackles vs. No. 3 Ohio State with 0.5 tackle for loss in 74 snaps . . . recorded five tackles and one pass break-up in victory over eighth-ranked Northwestern . . . logged four tackles and one QB hurry vs. No. 10 Indiana . . . registered six stops at Iowa . . . was starting safety at No. 13 Michigan and notched seven stops . . . started season opener vs. Rutgers at safety, making six stops with career-best tying one tackle for loss (2 yards) in 68 snaps.
2019 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): Started all 13 games at safety . . . ranked second on the team and 18th in the Big Ten with 83 tackles (56 solo, 27 assists) . . . led the defense and ranked fifth in the conference with 56 solo stops . . . also had two tackles for loss (5 yards), five pass break-ups and two interceptions . . . played 838 snaps on defense, most in the Spartan secondary and second-most overall on the defense . . . had three tackles in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl win over Wake Forest . . . notched seven stops in Maryland game, along with 1.0 TFL and two pass break-ups, tying career-bests for both . . . tied a career high with team-leading nine stops at Rutgers, also snaring second interception of season, returning it 32 yards, which was MSU’s second-longest interception return of the season; ended the game with 16 production points, tied for second on defense overall . . . registered a then career-high nine tackles at Michigan, tying for the team lead . . . was starting safety in Illinois game and logged seven stops . . . started Penn State game and had eight stops, adding first career tackle for loss . . . started game at Wisconsin and posted eight tackles . . . started at Ohio State, near his hometown with numerous family and friends in the stands, and logged five stops and one pass break-up . . . started Indiana game at safety and made five tackles . . . was starting safety at Northwestern, tallying six stops and 12 production points, second among defensive backs . . . started against Arizona State and posted seven stops for the second game in as many outings, adding first two pass break-ups of Spartan career, ending with 17 production points, which led defensive backs corps and tied for second overall on defense . . . named the Spartan Defensive Player of the Week against Western Michigan, snaring first career interception to go with team-leading seven tackles, ending with defensive unit-leading 18 production points . . . interception came in the end zone in the second quarter, thwarting a WMU drive and keeping MSU ahead, 28-7 . . . drew first start of career in season opener vs. Tulsa, tallying two tackles.
2018 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Played in all 13 games to earn his first letter . . . saw action on 141 snaps on defense, primarily on third downs . . . recorded 15 tackles (nine solo, six assists) . . . led team with five tackles on kickoffs and ranked tied for second overall on special teams with seven (five on kickoffs, two on punts) . . . recovered a fumble vs. Rutgers . . . tallied a season-best three tackles vs. Purdue . . . had two tackles apiece vs. Michigan, Northwestern and Central Michigan . . . played a season-high 23 snaps at Indiana . . . enrolled for the 2018 spring semester and participated in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Named to the Rivals250 (No. 177) as one of the best overall players in the nation . . . also named one of the 300 best players in the nation by 247Sports (No. 277) . . . ranked the top cornerback in the state of Ohio by Rivals.com . . . named the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Division 1 Co-Defensive Player of the Year while helping lead Pickerington Central High School to a 14-1 record and a Division 1 state championship . . . listed among the top cornerbacks in the country by Rivals.com (No. 18) . . . rated one of the top overall players in the state of Ohio by Rivals.com (No. 8) and 247Sports (No. 9) . . . two-time first-team all-state selection (Associated Press in 2016; OPSWA in 2017) . . . chosen to USA TODAY’s All-Ohio First Team twice (2016, 2017) . . . two-time Columbus Dispatch All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year (2016, 2017) . . . two-time All-Central District Division 1 Defensive Player of the Year . . . named All-Ohio Capital Conference (Ohio Division) Player of the Year as a senior . . . played for Coach Jay Sharrett at Pickerington Central High School . . . recorded four interceptions, 77 tackles and six touchdowns during his senior season . . . had five tackles and ran for 153 yards on 14 carries, including a 24-yard TD run, in the 56-28 victory over Mentor in the Division 1 state title game . . . had an 82-yard TD reception and 16-yard run for a score vs. Hilliard Bradley in the Region 3 semifinal game . . . returned the opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown against Gahanna Lincoln on Sept. 29 . . . first-team all-state pick by The Associated Press as a junior after recording 123 tackles, seven interceptions and 22 pass break-ups . . . also named to the 2016 ALL-USA TODAY Ohio First Team . . . helped lead Pickerington Central to an 11-2 record and a berth in the 2016 state semifinals . . . son of Allen and Amy Henderson . . . born July 12, 1999 . . . communication major graduated in December 2021.
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