Colorado University Athletics
Henderson Thinks CU Secondary Can Make Huge Strides
BOULDER GÇô He has never experienced anything like it before. He had always been a part of a winner yet, after two years of frustrating losses and record-setting levels of futility he has never hung his head.
Even after a season in which the Colorado Buffaloes suffered the most losses in the teamGÇÖs 123-year history, cornerback Greg HendersonGÇÖs confidence never wavered. It was a season in which his secondary allowed more touchdown passes than any team in the country, yet HendersonGÇÖs poise remained the same.
GÇ£WeGÇÖre headed in the right direction,GÇ¥ said Henderson. GÇ£The new coaching staff is teaching us well, theyGÇÖve done a good job. I think we can win seven or eight games and go to a bowl game this season because we have great players on both sides of the ball and great coaches.GÇ¥
In a sport that is sometimes overwhelmed by negativity and self-absorbed egotism, Henderson is a breath of fresh air. Although he carries himself with a great amount of confidence and conviction it never crosses the line into conceit or arrogance.
GÇ£I have to stay confident, GÇ£said Henderson. GÇ£You canGÇÖt be successful if youGÇÖre not confident.GÇ¥
Prior to his arrival at CU, success was something Henderson knew all too well. His teams at Norco High School in California won two championships in his three years at the varsity level, and a number of individual awards followed suit.
In 2011, HendersonGÇÖs pedigree brought a number of scholarship offers from schools across the country, including CU. He eventually chose to come to Boulder to help then-first year coach Jon Embree usher in a new era for a once-proud football program that had fallen on hard times.
During his freshman season, as a rebuilding BuffaloesGÇÖ team muddled thru a disappointing 3-10 season, Henderson was a rare bright spot on an otherwise unspectacular defense. The 5-11, 185-pound junior from Corona, Calif., set a school record for most plays by a freshman, had 58 tackles, six third-down stops and an interception in an impressive debut. As a result, he won the schoolGÇÖs Lee Willard Award as the teamGÇÖs standout freshman and stood as a symbol of hope toward reviving the program.
GÇ£I got a lot of experience as a freshman and I think it helped me mature a little quicker,GÇ¥ said Henderson. GÇ£I feel like I know the game so well now and itGÇÖll definitely help me as I go.GÇ¥
Last season began under rays of hope and optimism after two wins to end 2011, but a number of debilitating injuries crippled a young and inexperienced defense and the result was a 1-11 finish. The futility was highlighted by a secondary that gave up a school record 39 touchdown passes and forced just three interceptions. Henderson and the rest of the teamGÇÖs defensive backs know that in order to improve upon those numbers they must be willing to work hard and dedicate everything to the betterment of the team.
GÇ£We have to force a lot of turnovers and get off the field on third down,GÇ¥ said Henderson. GÇ£We have to work in the weight room and just keep getting better every day.GÇ¥
With the arrival of a new coaching staff comes new cornerbacks coach Andy LaRussa, who followed head coach Mike MacIntyre from San Jose State. Despite the lack of success, LaRussa decided not to completely overhaul the philosophies of the previous position coach. Many of the players, including Henderson, believe that that consistency will benefit the group more than any amount of serious philosophical change might have.
GÇ£Coach (LaRussa) is a good coach,GÇ¥ said Henderson. GÇ£He knows what heGÇÖs talking about. He and (previous position coach) Greg Brown did a lot of things the same way and I think thatGÇÖs a good thing. They both emphasize getting to the ball and giving an all-out effort and just because it didnGÇÖt work before doesnGÇÖt mean it canGÇÖt work.GÇ¥
Henderson is projected to start at cornerback next season opposite sophomore Kenneth Crawley, who, like Henderson, saw a significant amount of playing time as freshman. Henderson believes that will benefit both players in the long run.
GÇ£I think (he and Crawley) could be the best tandem in the Pac-12, maybe even the country,GÇ¥ said Henderson. GÇ£He played really well last year and both of us got a lot of playing time right away (in our careers), so I think that will help us mature, learn the game quicker and succeed at a faster rate.GÇ¥
Henderson is coming off a season in which he suffered a knee sprain in the first week and missed two games as a result. When he did return in late September his effectiveness was severely limited and he honestly believes it took him a majority of the season to return to full strength. After the season, he worked even harder than he had before in an effort to make up for lost time and accelerate his own development as a top flight corner. He even worked diligently to improve his vertical jump in order to better match up with the much taller receivers he is asked to cover on a weekly basis.
GÇ£IGÇÖve been working a lot,GÇ¥ said Henderson. GÇ£I feel completely healthy now and I just been trying to get better by being more physical, and improving my hands and my feet. IGÇÖve spent a lot of time in the weight room and my confidence is even higher.GÇ¥
If players like Henderson are any indication, the levels of confidence in the Colorado locker room may be higher than anyone could imagine for a program that has lost 21 games in the last two seasons. Before the turnaround can begin the belief that it is indeed possible must exist, and Henderson brings that quality to the table in droves.
BUFF BITS: Given the Buffs' low number of healthy offensive linemen (10), coach Mike MacIntyre said the squad has been split as evenly as possible for Saturday's spring game (10:30 a.m., Folsom Field, Pac-12 Network). MacIntyre said having only 10 healthy O-linemen was a concern, but added, "Florida only had six." So the Gators just practiced instead of having a full-blown spring game. If one of CU's offensive linemen gets hurt Saturday, one player (sophomore Marc Mustoe) has been designated to switch jerseys on demand and play for both teams . . . . MacIntyre called the game "really big" because of the live competition in most areas, especially on special teams . . . . A final spring depth chart likely won't be completed until the end of next week . . . . Captains for the 2013 season are expected to be named before the Buffs break for the summer. MacIntyre wants that leadership in place before summer conditioning work begins in June . . . . MacIntyre is looking forward to running behind Ralphie for the first time on Saturday. He said he has been told "don't try and keep up . . . you'll pull a hamstring."