We continue our rankings of the top 10 offensive playmakers on this year’s Ohio State football team. The No. 3 player on this year’s list could be found in some sportsbooks as having the sixth-best odds for the Heisman a year ago at this time.
No. 3 – TreVeyon Henderson, Junior, RB
TreVeyon Henderson dealt with foot injuries last season, which is why he played in just eight games. He suffered an injury against Toledo in the third game of the season and dealt with the lingering effects the rest of the year. He suited up in the Buckeyes’ biggest games until he couldn’t do it any longer. He was eventually shut down at the end of the season and missed the playoff game.
As a true freshman in 2021, however, only two players in the nation had more 40-yard rushes than Henderson, and only one player had more carries of 50 yards. Among players with at least 135 rushes, his 6.82 yards per carry was the best in the nation. And only two players with at least 90 attempts had a better average per carry.
Statistical History
2022: 107 rushes, 571 yds, 6 TDs; 4 recs, 28 yds, 1 TD
2021: 183 rushes, 1,248 yds, 15 TDs; 27 recs, 312 yds, 4 TDs
Biggest Play
TreVeyon Henderson’s biggest play essentially came out of nowhere, but it couldn’t have happened in a more timely fashion. The Buckeyes were holding onto a 20-17 third-quarter lead at home against Penn State in 2021, and moving the ball had not been easy. Ohio State had been stifled on the ground, rushing for just 33 yards on 17 carries before Henderson took a hand-off, cut up the middle, ducked to his left, then gave a little shoulder shimmy to a defender, beating him to the sideline. He was tracked down at the PSU 3-yard line after a 68-yard gain. Two plays later, Henderson punched in a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Buckeyes a 27-17 lead with just over four minutes left in the third quarter.
Longest Play
The longest play of TreVeyon Henderson’s career came in his very first game with the Buckeyes, and some could rightfully consider it as his biggest play as well. Ohio State was in Minnesota for their 2021 season opener, and it was third-and-5 with under 10 minutes to play in the game. The Buckeyes were holding on with a 31-24 lead and desperate not to give the ball back to a Gopher team looking to seize momentum. Quarterback CJ Stroud dropped back and flipped the ball to Henderson in the flats, just clearing the outstretched hand of the defensive end. Henderson then took off upfield, splitting defenders on the way to a 70-yard touchdown to give Ohio State a 14-point lead. The Gophers wouldn’t get any closer than seven points the rest of the way out.
What He Does Well
TreVeyon Henderson is a big play possibility any time he touches the ball, and he’s proven that throughout his career both on the ground and through the air. Over his first two years, 6.8% of his touches have gone for at least 20 yards. In 2014, Ezekiel Elliott had a gain of 20 yards on 5.0% of his touches (3.8% in 2015). JK Dobbins managed to have 7.4% of his touches go for at least 20 yards in 2019 (and 2017) when he rushed for a school-record 2,003 yards.
Some people have forgotten how explosive Henderson was as a true freshman, but if the offensive line holds up, they soon will be reminded.
Expectations For This Season
In an ideal world, TreVeyon Henderson will be as healthy this season as he was as a true freshman. There is no reason to expect another injury-riddled year, which should mean big things for the Buckeyes on the ground. Breaking in a new quarterback and new offensive line may create some issues, but Henderson doesn’t need much room to turn a single into a triple.
Expect Henderson to attempt to silence the doubters that began appearing a season ago. He has heard the criticism and received the grief. There may be nobody who is more ready for the 2023 season than he is. Of course, he will need to temper that excitement when running, but don’t be shocked when he is once again right near the top of the conference leaderboard in big plays from the backfield this year.
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5. WR Julian Fleming
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