Scouting report for the 2025 NFL Draft: Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson

Scouting Report: Ohio State Running Back TreVeyon Henderson – 2025 NFL Draft

Overview: TreVeyon Henderson is one of the most dynamic and explosive running backs in college football, entering the 2025 NFL Draft with a wealth of talent that has earned him recognition as one of the premier prospects at his position. Standing at 5’10” and weighing 215 pounds, Henderson has an ideal blend of size, speed, and vision, making him a potential game-changer at the next level. He has already established himself as a key player in Ohio State’s high-powered offense, combining power, agility, and breakaway speed to make him a major threat to opposing defenses.

Henderson’s combination of natural ability, college production, and physical traits sets him apart as one of the top running back prospects in the upcoming draft class.

Strengths:

1. Elite Speed and Burst: Henderson’s most striking quality is his speed. He is an explosive player with exceptional acceleration. Whether he is running between the tackles or breaking off a long run to the outside, Henderson has a gear that few defenders can match. His burst through the hole is immediate, and he can quickly turn a small crease into a big gain. On outside zone plays or when given an open lane, he shows the ability to outrun defenders to the sideline and finish plays with long touchdowns.
2. Vision and Patience: Henderson possesses excellent vision that allows him to see running lanes develop in real time. He is adept at setting up blocks, following his offensive line, and making cuts when necessary. His patience in allowing plays to develop, particularly on zone runs, is impressive for a player of his age. Henderson has a good feel for the timing of runs and is able to keep defenders off balance by waiting for holes to fully open before accelerating through them.
3. Change of Direction: Henderson is very light on his feet and possesses excellent lateral quickness. He is able to make sharp cuts with minimal loss of speed, which is crucial when facing defenders who are closing in from various angles. This allows him to make defenders miss in tight spaces or in open-field situations. His ability to break off long runs is often a result of his quickness and agility in avoiding tacklers.
4. Vision in the Passing Game: Though his primary role is as a rusher, Henderson has also shown to be a capable receiving threat out of the backfield. He runs smooth routes and has reliable hands, making him an asset in the passing game. His ability to catch passes in the flat, on swing routes, or even in the intermediate passing game makes him a potential dual-threat at the next level. This versatility gives him an edge in modern NFL offenses that rely on running backs who can contribute in all areas of the game.
5. Contact Balance and Power: Henderson isn’t just a finesse runner. He possesses solid contact balance that allows him to break through arm tackles and continue driving forward for additional yardage. While not the biggest back in terms of size, he plays much stronger than his stature suggests. His low center of gravity and ability to stay upright after taking hits make him a difficult player to bring down in the open field.
6. Work Ethic and Competitive Drive: Henderson consistently displays a strong work ethic and competitive spirit. He’s not afraid to put in the extra effort to improve his game and has become more consistent over the years in Ohio State’s high-powered offense. His approach to both training and games will likely endear him to NFL teams, as he possesses the mentality of a player who is constantly striving to elevate his craft.

Weaknesses:

1. Pass Protection: Like most young running backs, Henderson’s pass protection needs improvement. Although he’s willing to engage in blocking assignments, his technique is still a work in progress. He can be inconsistent when picking up blitzes, sometimes not maintaining his stance or misidentifying rushers. In the NFL, where defensive schemes are much more complex, pass protection will be an area he will need to focus on.
2. Decision-Making in Tight Spaces: While Henderson has excellent vision in open field situations, he can occasionally be too quick to cut in short-yardage or crowded situations. At times, he will hesitate or attempt to make a move before a lane fully opens, leading to unnecessary negative plays. As he continues to develop, refining his decision-making and maintaining composure in those tighter situations will be key.
3. Injury History: Henderson has missed some time during his college career due to injuries, including a couple of minor ankle sprains and a lingering lower-body issue. While these have not been significant injuries, teams will want to ensure that he remains durable throughout the entirety of a 17-game NFL season.

Comparisons:

Henderson’s skill set brings comparisons to several NFL running backs. His explosiveness, vision, and versatility are reminiscent of backs like Alvin Kamara or Devin Singletary. He has the ability to be a true three-down back in the NFL, much like Kamara, thanks to his prowess in both the rushing and passing game. From a build and playstyle standpoint, his closest comparison might be James Cook, who has displayed a similar balance of speed and receiving ability at the professional level.

NFL Projection:

TreVeyon Henderson is expected to be one of the top running backs selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. He brings the ideal blend of college production, natural talent, and physical tools that scouts look for in a future starter at the position. His vision, burst, and receiving ability make him a strong candidate for immediate impact at the next level.

Teams with a focus on zone-blocking schemes or high-paced offenses will find Henderson to be an ideal fit. If he can continue to refine his pass protection and decision-making, Henderson has the potential to become a Pro Bowl-caliber running back early in his NFL career.

Conclusion:

TreVeyon Henderson enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the most exciting and well-rounded running back prospects in years. His combination of speed, vision, and playmaking ability make him a future star at the position. While there are areas to improve, particularly in pass protection and decision-making in tight spaces, Henderson’s explosive potential and versatility give him the chance to thrive in the modern NFL game. With continued development and good health, Henderson has all the tools to become one of the premier running backs in the league.