Tag: Aaron Donald

Eric Henderson explains quick success in USC recruiting

Caring about people is the heart of Eric Henderson’s approach at USC.

New USC defensive line coach Eric Henderson spoke to the media recently about why he had such a huge and instant impact on recruiting. He explained his process and how the opportunity at USC is a unique one.

“When you really care about people, people can feel that and you really want what’s best for the young man and his family. I think that always wins in my mind,” Henderson said.

“The developmental process is going to be the best that it can. Any defensive linemen that come here can get (that development) in terms of your preparation for the next level. If that’s really what you want and you really have someone that truly cares about you, then there’s not a better school than USC.”

While Henderson shared that it was not planned, having newly-retired shoo-in Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald at USC practice does send the message about development. Donald gave Henderson a ringing endorsement, saying that as long as Henderson is coaching they will be successful and have guys flying around and getting developed.

USC can’t rest on its laurels.

Henderson explained, “At the end of the day we need to continue to recruit and continue to win with the relationships, the genuine approach that we have and that we like. Obviously there was a type of environment around here and at the end of the day, SC sells itself.  You don’t have to do anything out of the ordinary.

“You can’t ever get comfortable,” he continued. “It’s always going to be about building those relationships. It’s always going to be about being willing to withstand the test of time in terms of going the distance if you will, and so at the end of the day I look forward to it. I mean it’s who we are. It’s fun. “

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Look: The Rams put up a billboard honoring Aaron Donald in Los Angeles

In addition to taking out a full-page ad in the LA Times, the Rams also bought a billboard spot for Aaron Donald

It’s been almost three weeks since Aaron Donald announced his retirement from the NFL and several fans are still in disbelief over the news. The Rams have been working on a plan to help out the defense with Donald gone, which could include drafting a defensive tackle in the first two rounds.

In the meantime, the Rams continue to honor the future Hall of Famer. They took out a full-page ad in the LA Times with a photo of Donald, and as spotted by a fan on Reddit, they also bought a billboard spot in Los Angeles and put up a message for Donald: “Legends live forever.”

Spotted the other day in LA 🫡
byu/InflationBest3950 inLosAngelesRams

Donald will also be a legend in Los Angeles, going down as not only one of the greatest players in franchise history, but in league history, too.

He deserves all the praise and recognition as he heads into the next chapter of his life.

Aaron Donald confident he left Rams ‘in good hands’ with young core

“Ernest, it’s your defense now. I told him that.”

Aaron Donald’s absence will undoubtedly be felt on the Rams defense next season. He was one of the best players in football and a cornerstone of Los Angeles’ defensive front for a decade, and there’s no easy way to replace him.

The Rams still have playmakers all over their roster, which has Donald feeling good about the state he left the team in. In his first post-retirement interview, he mentioned Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner and Ernest Jones as players who will help take the Rams into the next era, telling them that it’s their time now.

“I talk to them a million times and tell them, ‘it’s y’all time now,'” Donald said. “It’s time for you guys like Kobie to be the leader now, to Puka, to continue to build on what you did. Ernest, it’s your defense now. I told him that. To leave the team how I’m leaving the team, in good hands with great young guys that’s going to do some great things for the organization, make it even that much better for me to know I ain’t leaving it in a bad condition, it’s in good terms and they have a good team, and I feel like they’re going to have a lot of success.”

Of course, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Rob Havenstein and Tyler Higbee are all still in Los Angeles and will continue to be leaders in the locker room, but the Rams are also bringing along the next group of pillars – Turner, Jones and Nacua chief among them.

Fortunately for Turner, he got to spend one year learning from and working with Donald, which will certainly help him in his development as one of the best young defensive tackles in football. Jones also played alongside Donald for three seasons, and while they didn’t play the same position, they were two leaders on defense.

It’s hard not to feel good about the state of the Rams after their surprisingly impressive 10-7 season in 2023, and now they have a first-round pick (plus 10 other total selections) in the upcoming draft. They’re built to win now, even with as big a loss as Donald is.

Look: Rams honor Aaron Donald with full-page tribute in LA Times

Following Aaron Donald’s retirement announcement, the Rams took out a full-page ad in the LA Times to honor the future Hall of Famer

Aaron Donald shocked the football world just over a week ago when he announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 seasons, leaving the game as one of the greatest of all time. While he won’t admit that he’s the ultimate G.O.A.T., he’s unquestionably one of the best defenders in league history.

To honor the future Hall of Famer, the Rams took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times on Sunday with the quote, “Legends live forever” and a photo of Donald. It was an awesome way to pay tribute to one of the all-time greats as he exits the NFL after a decade of dominance, showing just how much Donald meant to the team and organization.

Donald retired from football with 111 career sacks, the most in franchise history. He’s a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2029 and is up there with the likes of Jack Youngblood and Merlin Olsen as two of the best to ever wear the horns.

Georgia five-star defensive line commit Justus Terry flips to USC, Eric Henderson brings him home

Eric Henderson’s work and reputation are already paying off at USC.

Five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry has flipped his commitment from Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs to the Trojans on his official visit to USC this weekend.

Terry has been committed to Georgia for over a year. Pulling a longtime defensive commit from the Bulldogs, especially on the front line, is going to turn some heads. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Terry is ranked 13th nationally and the number two defensive lineman in 247Sports’ 2025 class.

“It was a no brainer! Coming from a small town I wanted to expand my life as much as possible and I felt like USC is the right place to do that,” Terry explained his decision in an interview with 247Sports.  “No. 1 business school in the country, I want to study business entrepreneurship. Coach Henny is good with developing players and I want to be a part of this journey with him! I trust his coaching and the way he plans on utilizing me!”

We have discussed Henderson’s close relationship with Aaron Donald, arguably the greatest defensive tackle in NFL history, when he coached him with the Los Angeles Rams. Donald was not shy about the affect Henderson will have on he defensive line at USC.

“They are going to be technically sound. There’s going to be a bunch of dawgs flying around — playing mean, playing fast man, and um, the chemistry they’re going to have together, as a group, with Coach Henny there… it’s going to be like no other man, they’re going to have a lot of success man,” explained Donald in his endorsement of Henderson. “As long as they have Coach Henny, I know from personal experience.  Seeing what he did with our group, with me personally, I’ve got nothing but love for Coach Henny.”

The effects of Eric Henderson’s hire as the defensive line coach are already taking shape. Clearly Terry heard Donald’s ringing endorsement. He understands that Henderson’s developmental coaching ability is crucial for the ultimate goal of any college athlete: a successful and lucrative career in the pros. In 2001 USC’s defensive line coach, Ed Ogereon, was successful in flipping Shaun Cody from the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  It marked the beginning of a dynasty under Pete Carroll.

But let’s slow down: Commitments aren’t binding and we are a long way away from signing day in December. Still, it is impossible to ignore the traction USC defensive line recruiting is gaining with Henderson.

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Aaron Donald wasn’t sure he wanted to stay with Rams after 2016 season

After a 4-12 season in 2016, Aaron Donald wasn’t sure he even wanted to sign an extension with the Rams. Then Sean McVay was hired.

Aaron Donald endured a lot of losing before becoming a Super Bowl champion. His first few seasons with the Rams were frustrating from a team perspective, even if Donald was having success individually.

In his first three seasons, the Rams went 6-10, 7-9 and 4-12, winning a total of 17 games and failing to make the playoffs in all three years. Donald was eligible for an extension before the 2017 season, but after three seasons of losing records, he wasn’t sure he even wanted to stay in Los Angeles.

When his agent brought up the possibility of re-signing with the Rams, Donald didn’t know if he wanted to even consider that.

“My first year in L.A. in 2016 was horrible. It was a bad year. We weren’t a good team. That’s the year Fisher ended up getting fired. Was on ‘Hard Knocks.’ It was an embarrassing year,” Donald said in his recent post-retirement interview. “For an individual year, it was an All-Pro year, Pro Bowl year. But when you accomplish that, not saying you’re not happy and excited about that, but you just want more as a team. You’re not even a competitive team and a team that only wins four or five games, it’s like, what are we doing here? My agent was talking to me like, ‘you’re about to go into your fourth year. Time to start talking about contracts. I’m like, ‘I love the Rams, but I want to win. I want to go somewhere I can win. I don’t know if I even want to try to come back and get a contract with the Rams.’ I just want to win. I’m tired of losing.”

Donald was not happy about the way contract talks went when they finally did begin, feeling disrespected by the whole process. He ended up holding out in 2017, Sean McVay’s first season as the head coach, missing the first game of the regular season because of it.

He felt that if the Rams didn’t want him, they should trade him to another team that did.

“End up holding out, was in Pittsburgh training the whole time,” he said. “That was my first holdout year so for me, it was personal. I was kind of mad at the organization. I’m like, ‘What? Y’all don’t want me? If y’all don’t want me, y’all can get rid of me. Send me somewhere that want me. Please.’ So I was a little mad, a little frustrated about it.”

Donald held out again in 2018 but ended up signing a historic contract to remain with the Rams after an 11-5 season under McVay and making his first playoff appearance. That had him excited about the direction of the Rams, feeling confident in the job McVay did as a head coach.

After 10 seasons with the Rams, Donald said he didn’t want to retire with any other team and he’s happy to have spent his entire career with the same organization.

It’s official, Aaron Donald is a Trojan… fan

Aaron Donald not only visited USC; he gave a testimonial about how great Eric Henderson is. What a 2-for-1!

Saturday marked the third practice of spring camp.  It was closed to the media, but apparently open to future NFL Hall of Fame members.  USC’s Senior Associate Athletic Director for Football, Dave Emerick, posted a selfie with arguably the best defensive tackle in NFL history.

“As long as this ‘D’ line has Coach Henny, they gonna be great.  They are going to be a great “D” line,” Aaron Donald said at practice today.  “They are going to be technically sound.  There’s going to be a bunch of dawgs flying around — playing mean, playing fast man, and um, the chemistry they’re going to have together, as a group, with Coach Henny there… it’s going to be like no other man, they’re going to have a lot of success man. As long as they have Coach Henny, I know from personal experience.  Seeing what he did with our group, with me personally, I’ve got nothing but love for Coach Henny.  That’s why we down here every day supporting him. I’m just going to be watching from the sidelines, being a fan.”

The last line might be an answer to the hopeful speculation by Trojan fans and media that Donald would find his way onto the staff in an official capacity.  While we won’t see Coach Henderson any time soon, it’s likely we will see him supporting the Trojans as long as Coach Henny is  at USC.  There are some saying that he is already having influence on the big recruiting weekend that USC is putting on this weekend.

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Aaron Donald won’t say he’s the greatest of all time

Aaron Donald says he’s the best of his era, but he won’t go as far as saying he’s the greatest of all time

Aaron Donald is squarely in the conversation as being the greatest defensive player of all time. That’s remarkable considering he was a defensive tackle, but it’s a testament to how impactful he was during his 10-year career in the NFL.

There isn’t much debate about whether he was the best defender of his era, but Donald himself can’t say he’s the greatest of all time – or the G.O.A.T.

That could just be his humble attitude talking, but in his first post-retirement interview, Donald wouldn’t say he’s the greatest ever because of how much the game has changed over the years.

“I think for my era, yes. But everybody was different,” Donald said. “You’ve got guys that were great that I looked up to like Ray Lewis that was the greatest of his time. Polamalu, Pittsburgh guy. Lawrence Taylor. There’s different eras that it’s hard to say because the game changed so much. In the time I played, I think I held my own and did what I did to help change the game.”

Donald retired from football with three Defensive Player of the Year awards, tied with J.J. Watt and Lawrence Taylor for the most ever. He also made the Pro Bowl 10 times, making him only the second player to play at least 10 seasons and make the Pro Bowl each year; Barry Sanders is the other.

His list of accolades is as impressive as any player’s in league history, which is why many consider him the best ever. But he won’t go as far as saying that, only saying publicly that he’s the best of his era – something almost no one will argue.

Marshall Faulk explains why he doesn’t think Aaron Donald will stay retired

Marshall Faulk has a theory that Aaron Donald retired because “he wants more money” after seeing Chris Jones’ new contract

Aaron Donald flirted with retirement after the Rams won the Super Bowl two years ago. A few months later, he signed a new three-year contract worth a total of $95 million. Many believe he brought up the possibility of retirement simply to get a new contract from the Rams, which there may be some truth to.

This offseason, Donald officially announced his retirement after 10 seasons, hanging up his cleats after a decorated and Hall of Fame career. Rams legend Marshall Faulk isn’t so sure Donald will stay retired, though.

He came up with a theory that Donald only retired because “he wants more money.” It’s hard to believe that to be true considering if Donald returned for another season in 2024, he’d have earned an extra $30 million on top of the $65 million he got for the last two seasons.

Faulk shared his thoughts recently on the Bleav In Rams podcast, explaining why he believes Donald could be back when he sees camps opening this summer and he’s not in attendance.

“I’m in disbelief, and I’m in such disbelief that I’ve concocted a conspiracy theory that he’s done with the guaranteed money, he saw the money that Chris Jones got – and I don’t know if Chris Jones got more money than he got. This is in my head and I’m like, he wants more money. He wants to be the highest-paid,” Faulk said. “It looks good for Hollywood right now. I see he’s spending a lot of time with The Rock. He might end up on the WWE, might be cookin’ something with The Rock. Who knows? All of that might be in his plans. That’s just in my head. That’s just in my head, I’m not going to lie. I’m like, training camp’s going to roll around and 99 – and I’m telling you, every professional football player, it’s weird when you’re done playing and everybody else is going to camp and you’re not going. You’re like, ‘What do I do? What do I do here? Everybody is in camp.’ Your routine is broken and it takes a while to get accustom to the new routine. I’m hopeful that Aaron Donald comes back, that he plays. I think there’s more than just a couple of years there. But what I don’t know is what the body is feeling like. You don’t know. You don’t know how much he’s investing into being the person that he is and he might be slipping a little bit and he don’t want to play without being his best. There’s a lot of things in play but I’m hopeful that my conspiracy theory that he’ll be coming back is the truth.”

Faulk knows about missing training camp after retiring from football because he’s gone through it himself. However, the same may not apply for Donald. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year said this week that he’s “burned out” and he can’t imagine going through another training camp and 17-game season.

It’s always possible that he’ll come out of retirement, either this year or next. He wouldn’t be the first to do so. But it sure seems like he’s serious about stepping away from football fully healthy and with a trophy case full of hardware.

Rams double up on DTs in PFF’s 3-round mock draft

With Aaron Donald retired, PFF has the Rams selecting defensive tackles with their first two picks in the draft

The Los Angeles Rams won’t be able to replace Aaron Donald. Les Snead and Sean McVay both know that, having been around the future Hall of Famer during his illustrious career. They can’t simply draft a defensive tackle in the first round, plug him in as a starter and expect the same level of impact that Donald had.

That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try to add reinforcements to the defensive line, which they’re likely to do at some point in the draft, but it’ll take an army (and then some) to replace No. 99 in the middle.

In Pro Football Focus’ latest three-round mock draft, the Rams go heavy on the front seven. With their first two picks, Los Angeles selects two defensive tackles: Illinois’ Johnny Newton at No. 19 and Clemson’s Ruke Orhorhoro at No. 52 overall.

Here’s what PFF wrote about the selection of Newton.

Aaron Donald‘s retirement is disappointing for the Rams, but alas, he has chosen to ride off into the football sunset on the road to the Hall of Fame. The Rams know how important top-notch interior play is. That’s why I see Newton as being high on their board. He earned elite cumulative PFF grades in both pass rush and run defense over the past two seasons.

Newton is viewed as one of the two best defensive tackles in the draft, alongside Texas’ Byron Murphy II. In this mock, the Rams actually pass on Murphy to take Newton, causing Murphy to fall two spots to the Dolphins at No. 21 overall.

Orhorhoro is a versatile defensive lineman who would add even more depth to the front four, but it may be overkill to use two top-52 picks on the same position – even with the Rams only having five D-linemen under contract.

They’d be much better off selecting an edge rusher and a defensive lineman in the first two rounds to diversify their picks a bit, while still helping the pass rush in a big way.

Later on in PFF’s mock draft, the Rams select Ohio State inside linebacker Tommy Eichenberg at No. 99 overall, so they go all defense in the first three rounds.