2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jaden Henderson, DB, Greensboro College

• Name: Jaden Henderson 
• Position: Defensive Back
• College: Greensboro College (Greensboro, NC)
• Height: 5’8″
• Weight: 175lbs
• Instagram: @hendo.__

What makes you a top prospect at your position  in the 2023 NFL Draft?

My ability to run, cover, and tackle in space. 3 essential qualities I’ve been told are vital for defensive backs that play at the next level. If you’re not able to do those 3 things at an extremely high level it’ll be hard to be effective at the professional level.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

At 8 years old, my first year of playing football. 

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I’ve spent a lot of time in professional environments throughout my collegiate career. Spent time at an NFL Offseason program at EXOS San Diego, NFL summer training camps w/ Atlanta, Washington, and Carolina, and an NFL Combine Prep Program at Michael Johnson Performance. Spent a lot of time being around pros.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

Supporting injured military veterans and the families of those impacted by war.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

“If you want to live an unrealistic life, you need to have an unrealistic mentality” 

Who was your childhood hero?

My JROTC instructor Col. Jay Walker. Did a lot of things for me as a young man, taught me things about life and football (DB Coach), and showed me opportunities I never knew existed.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

Field position is critical in football. We have one of the best kickers in D3, Marano Collins. He’s a freshman with the maturity of a 5th year senior and the leg of a pro. Vital player to our team.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Ungrateful individuals. No matter how bleak or bad my own situation looked at times I never complained. I knew if I wasn’t supposed to be here I wouldn’t be. Don’t like listening to others complain about their situation or things that happen to them. Fix it, do something about it, or get help. But don’t complain then about the help that comes, regardless of what form it comes in.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

Living out of my car in Atlanta, GA while training at DASH Performance and working at Redline Athletics in Peachtree Corners. Spent the summer emailing, calling, and talking with coaches trying to find an opportunity to finish my collegiate career playing ball. This was following COVID and graduating early from Virginia State Univ in Petersburg, VA. From May to August I just went through the daily grind of training, working, contacting coaches, figuring out where to sleep, and finding myself in the same position at the end of every night. “Making progress” but physically being in the same situation as the day before. Finally in August of 2021 after receiving an invitation from Coach Tyler Card at Greensboro College, God took care of the rest. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

Greensboro’s a small college and has a small family like atmosphere among the staff and faculty. I don’t get to see my family but maybe once a year with them living in Indiana so the family-like environment is nice to have here. 

What is your favorite snack food?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups 

What is the best part of football?

When a pass is thrown. It’s maybe the only time in sports that everything is fair for both sides of the ball. Both the offensive and defensive player have the same opportunity to the ball as the other. Just comes down to who wants it more. 

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?
Winners win, losers lose and throughout my life I’ve been relentless in finding ways to keep winning. 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

Quandre Diggs, physical stature, high football IQ, skill set in coverage and open field tackling situations. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

1. Deion Sanders, best DB to ever play in the NFL (my opinion) and love what he’s doing for Jackson State. My inspiration for wanting to coach at an HBCU following my playing career.
2. Mike Tomlin, favorite NFL coach and my inspiration to become a coach after my playing career is over. 
3. Lebron James, one of the best athlete investors. My inspiration for wanting to own a franchise one day and one of the individuals who have made me begin to invest in things now while I’m young.