E.J. Henderson

Team Number:	56
Birth Date:	08/03/1980
Height:	6'1"
Weight:	245lbs.
Position:	Linebacker

More Info
E.J. Henderson was born on August 3, 1980 in Aberdeen, Maryland. He attended Maryland where he was a standout linebacker for four years. Henderson was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the 40th overall choice in the 2003 NFL Draft.

NFL

2007: E.J. Henderson led the Minnesota Vikings with a career-best 155 tackles. This made the 3rd season that E.J. Henderson led the Vikings in tackles. Also, E.J. Henderson was recognized as a Pro Bowl alternate by the AP.

E.J. Henderson began starting at middle linebacker in 2004 for the Vikings and has improved each year. He averaged 113 tackles per season since becoming a starter. 2006: Was the Vikings leader with 142 tackles on the year, 44 more than second-place Dwight Smith. Made 3.0 sacks and two interceptions, the first interceptions of his career. Was a big part of the Vikings holding opponents to a team-record 985 rushing yards. 2005: Started the last thirteen games of the year. Notched 58 tackles over the last eight games. 2004: Was a starter in all 14 games he played and both playoff contests. Led the Vikings with 125 tackles and 7.0 tackles for a loss on the year. 2003: Led the Vikings with 27 special teams tackles. Played in all 16 games.

College

E.J. Henderson was selected as the winner of the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. He was a consensus All-American as a junior and a senior. He was awarded the Bednarik Trophy (top college defender) as a senior. Henderson compiled 473 tackles, 62.5 tackles for a loss (tops in school history) and 17.5 sacks over his collegiate career. 2002: Was the Maryland Most Valuable Player. Was named the National Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL Draft Report and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Was a starter in all 14 games while leading the team in tackles for the third straight year with 175. Also had 8.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for a loss, and eight quarterback hurries. 2001: Was a consensus All-America 1st-team choice, Maryland’s first since 1985. Won ACC Player of the Year honors. Was the ACC leader with 150 tackles and 28 tackles for a loss. Broke Randy White’s 1974 tackles for a loss record of 24. Played in all 11 games with 10 starts. 2000: Started the 10 games he played. Led Maryland with 109 tackles. Also recorded two sacks, six quarterback hurries, four passes deflected and a recovered fumble. 1999: Played in 11 games and made 39 tackles, one sack, and two tackles for a loss on the season. 1998: Redshirted

Personal

E.J. Henderson started four years at Aberdeen High School in Maryland. He was a PrepStar All-America selection and honorable mention All-American by USA Today. Was also an All-County selection in basketball.