In the world of professional football, speed is often the ultimate currency. Just as the 40-yard dash times are considered sacred by NFL recruiters during the draft, high school track times hold tremendous sway over college recruitment. This fact is particularly evident in the case of TreVeyon Henderson, a talented former five-star running back from Ohio State, who is now gearing up for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. With aspirations of being selected in the first round, Henderson's journey highlights the critical role of track performance in shaping athletic careers.

As the draft approaches, the odds of Henderson being picked in the first round stand at -115, as reported by FanDuel SportsBook. He is projected to be drafted after Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton, but before his teammate Quinshon Judkins, with the running back order at +155. Henderson's recruitment story is a compelling one, as it underscores how his track achievements often overshadowed his on-field football accomplishments.

Born in Virginia, the 5-foot-10, 202-pound Henderson signed with Ohio State in the 2021 recruiting class, where he was not only the top running back but also ranked as the No. 11 player nationally. However, his rise to prominence was not instantaneous. When Ohio State extended an offer following the second game of his junior season at Hopewell High School, he had accumulated fewer than 600 career rushing yards, casting doubt on whether he would excel as a receiver, running back, or even a safety.

In his sophomore year, Henderson managed only 312 rushing yards on 30 carries, and as a freshman, he had a modest two carries for 36 yards. Despite these unimposing stats, he attracted considerable attention from college programs, receiving 16 offers from Power Five conferences even before his junior season commenced. The reason? It all boiled down to his exceptional performance on the track.

During the spring of his sophomore year, Henderson demonstrated remarkable speed, which caught the eyes of college coaches. In the world of recruitment, track times are treated with an almost reverent mentality, much like Homer Simpson's obsession with donuts. These times serve as a reliable indicator of an athlete's potential, providing a tangible metric for coaches who are evaluating talent.

According to an NFC front office member participating in the draft, When we evaluate players, we go back to their high school track numbers. Those numbers are true. They're verified. Before the combine we are looking at those numbers because guys don't usually get slower. This sentiment reflects the pervasive belief that speed is a crucial factor in athletic performance.

The pivotal moment in Henderson's recruitment occurred on April 17, 2019, during a quad meet at Matoaca High School in Virginia. It was there that he achieved a stunning time of 11.04 seconds in the 100 meters, a performance that resonated strongly throughout the college football landscape. Major programs like Duke, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Virginia, Pitt, Florida, Vanderbilt, and North Carolina extended offers, primarily based on his track results, even before the meet concluded.

As word of his speed spread, even more schools like Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee, South Carolina, Syracuse, Clemson, Penn State, and Indiana came calling between that meet and the start of his junior season. By the time Ohio State offered him after his second game of the junior year, Henderson had already made his mark. In those early games, he demonstrated his abilities by rushing for 217 yards on 20 carries, scoring five touchdowns, catching three passes for 29 yards and another touchdown, and even returning a kick for six.

An Ohio State staff member remarked, We saw enough on film to know the ability was there but we loved his speed. We thought he was only starting to scratch the surface. We thought there was enormous potential there and his first few games showed it. As Henderson's junior season progressed, he solidified his status as one of the premier players in his class.

Henderson's 2019 season was nothing short of extraordinary, as he tallied an impressive 53 touchdowns and a staggering 3,193 all-purpose yards while leading Hopewell High School to an undefeated 15-0 record and a state championship. His highlight reel showcases his electrifying speed; he does not get tackled until the 8:08 mark, where he tries to hurdle a defender after catching a pass. Early segments of his highlight tape feature a series of touchdowns, with many plays starting deep in Hopewell's territory.

Entering his junior year, Henderson was included in 247Sports' Top247 rankings. His football prowess was further enhanced by his track performances, including a regional-best 6.45 seconds in the 55 meters during indoor track season. Unfortunately, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his spring track season and eliminated his chances for a senior year at Hopewell.

After moving on to Ohio State, Henderson continued to build on his earlier successes, culminating in a national championship victory in January. Over his collegiate career, he amassed 3,761 rushing yards (ranking fifth in school history) and scored 42 touchdowns, alongside 77 receptions for 853 yards and six more touchdowns. At the NFL combine, he further solidified his reputation as an elite running back, clocking an impressive 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash, making him a top contender in the upcoming draft.