Tag: Eric Henderson

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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Lincoln Riley gives honest answer on USC for 2024 Big Ten season

Lincoln Riley thinks all position groups matter, but he finally did lean toward one more than another.

Significant changes to the USC football program have brought in a slew of new faces for Lincoln Riley as the Trojans prepare for the Big Ten. The defensive coordinator and three additional defensive coaches have joined the team. The inside receivers coach has transitioned to the quarterbacks coach role. The running backs coach departed for the NFL, and a replacement has been brought on board. Additionally, the roster has experienced a loss of 50 players due to the draft, eligibility, or transfers.

During Lincoln Riley’s recent conference call a few days ago, Trojans Wire asked him a simple question. With all the changes going on in the program, the expectations are higher than ever. Which position group needs to take the proverbial “next step” to help the Trojans reach their team goals in 2024?

With all this change, Riley was quick to point out that it is quite a challenge to choose a specific group.

“Tim, I would say it’s hard to narrow it down to one. I mean it’s a new team and it’s every position group (that) has something new about it, and then on top of it we’re installing a brand new defense, so there’s major changes at every offensive position. Even though the system’s still the same, we have a new position coach in the offensive room.

“Everybody needs to climb.  Everybody needs o get better.  I know that’s probably not the answer you were hoping for me to say, but it’s really the truth, you know. I think if I were really to lean in on they’re all super important, but in terms of changes compared to what we were doing it’s hard not to really point out the defensive line. I mean you know where the changes defensively are probably more radical there than any other level of our defense,” explained Riley. “It’s not just learning.  It’s not necessarily a scheme thing. It’s the way we teach technique and fundamentals is much different that what we were doing before, and so it’s not just do I have the A gap or do I rush the edge, or do I drop. I mean there’s a whole lot to it and really just a new way of thinking.  So it’s been fun to see those guys develop by [Eric Henderson] and Shaun [Nua].

“I do like some of the young depth and young talent is really apparent there and our guys are getting better fast, but that’ll obviously be a really key group like it is every year.  Especially in the situation we are going into.”

USC is joining the Big Ten, which is known for is bruising power run game with dominant offensive lines. Every week there will be a commitment to pound the ball for four quarters and Riley knows his defensive line will take the brunt of that punishment. How well that line comes together under Henderson and Nua will go a long way to predicting USC’s success in 2024.

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How many wins does Lincoln Riley need in 2024 to have a successful season?

How can USC reach its goals, and what do we need to see from this team more than anything else in 2024?

On the Conquest Call-In Show, a weekly caller-driven YouTube show on Friday nights at 6 p.m. Pacific time, John from Detroit chimed in. He said that USC would need to go at least 9-3 in its first season in the Big Ten to be successful.

I explained to John that I don’t have a number. I just want to see measureable and drastic improvement on both sides of the line of scrimmage for USC. Lincoln Riley has put together an outstanding staff with new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn and defensive line coach Eric Henderson joining defensive ends coach Sean Nua. This new staff will try to fix the issue that plagued USC’s defensive line last year. On paper, Lynn was able to turn UCLA’s dismal 2022 defense into a top five defense in 2023. He completely changed the Bruins’ defense in just one offseason, so the Trojans’ hopes ride on him replicating that feat here at USC. His plan at UCLA was to install his defense methodically in the spring and fall, building the fundamentals of the defense early and slowly. This would ensure a deep understanding of the basics of the scheme, allowing him to add additional wrinkles as the season progresses.

The addition of Isaiah Raikes, 313 pounds of quick-twitch athleticism in the middle, and the defensive line room adding 340 pounds in the offseason gives the Trojans the ability to exert the physicality that new defensive line coach Eric Henderson is stressing in the offseason.  The added size and attention to fundamentals from Henderson will be tested early in the season as USC faces LSU and Michigan in their first three games of 2024.

Offensively, Josh Henson remains the offensive line coach for the third year at USC. Clay Helton’s offensive line coach, Clay McGuire, had done a great job developing the line and leaving Henson a great foundation to work with, but there was no depth. The addition of Bobby Haskins in 2022 allowed USC’s veteran line to be a strength on the team in an 11-win campaign.

However, the Trojans were unable to overcome the loss of their three-year starting center, Brett Neilon, and All-America left guard Andrew Vorhees; the unit never gelled in 2023. The football team faced significant challenges due to injuries, which included multiple key players. Courtland Ford departed the team through the transfer portal, Ethan White, a transfer from Florida, was unable to join the team due to a medical retirement, and Gino Quinones suffered a season-ending injury early in the season.  Relying on multiple transfers who didn’t pan out created a less-than-ideal situation. The line was plagued by miscommunication and protection breakdowns throughout the year.

In 2024, the big and physical 2023 offensive line class has had a year of collegiate weight training, nutrition, and coaching from Henson. Two of the members of that 2023 class, Alani Noa and Elijah Paige, got some starts last year, but this unit has developed together and is expected to play significant roles. Micah Banuelos, who is on his way back from injury; Amos Talalele; and Tobias Raymond all look to push for starting roles in 2024. The left side of the line with Paige at tackle and Emmanuel Pregnon at guard seems to be set. Lincoln Riley and Henson have selected Jonah Monheim to anchor the offensive line at center, but there are questions on the right side.  The Trojans will absolutely need someone to step up and take those roles for USC to call 2024 a success.

 

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No. 1-ranked 2025 edge rusher Isaiah Gibson commits to USC, as Eric Henderson hits another home run

Eric Henderson’s ‘Dawgwork’ is working wonders for USC on the recruiting trail, particularly in Georgia.

Eric Henderson is putting in the “Dawgwork” at USC football. After getting Justus Terry, a five-star player, to flip from the University of Georgia to USC, Henderson then brought in a commitment from Isaiah Gibson, a four-star edge rusher but — more importantly — the No. 1-rated edge rusher in 247Sports’ overall rankings. That’s a pair of 450-foot home runs for “Coach Henny,” whose value to USC is already very apparent and every bit as large as Trojan fans hoped for.

Two elite defensive players on the front seven, landed within six hours? Dawgwork never felt so good for Trojan fans, who have to be elated by this pair of developments.

This never could have or would have happened under Alex Grinch and the previous regime on the defensive side of the ball at USC. Lincoln Riley’s big philosophical and structural change on defense — truly investing in player development and coaches with substantial credentials — has caught the attention of recruits.

Aaron Donald’s visit to USC, complete with a testimonial about Eric Henderson’s quality as a coach, has lit a match. USC is smoking hot and primed to achieve even more on the trail, including and especially in Georgia, where Isaiah Gibson is from.

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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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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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No. 1 defensive lineman in 2025 class includes USC football in top 12

Georgia is the heavy favorite for this recruitment. Can Eric Henderson pull off a major upset?

The USC Trojans joined a premier list for Elijah Griffin, the top defensive lineman in the Class of 2025.

USC Georgia, Clemson, Colorado, South Carolina, LSU, Louisville, Miami, Oregon, Florida, Duke and Alabama in the final 12.

This past season, Griffin tallied 17.5 sacks, 97 tackles (67 solo), an interception and three pass breakups.

Griffin is rated as the No. 3 overall player in the 2025 class, and the No. 1 defensive lineman. The junior stands at 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, and is the top-ranked player from the state of Georgia.

The Georgia Bulldogs currently have multiple Crystal Ball projections to land Griffin. Georgia is a 92% favorite to land him per On3.

USC defensive line coach Eric Henderson has been making the rounds in recruiting, trying to get the attention of prime defensive line prospects across the country, including in the Deep South. One wonders if Henderson and his “dawgwork” can pull a major upset on the recruiting trail. It is obviously hard to argue with Georgia’s methods, results, and credentials over the past several years under Kirby Smart. Elite defensive linemen do go to the pros at Georgia. USC’s hire of Eric Henderson is an attempt to entice more recruits to come to Los Angeles for elite player development. Georgia is far ahead of the curve, however, so it’s no surprise that the Dawgs lead this particular recruitment.

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USC defensive coaches are preaching patience before spring ball

D’Anton Lynn and Eric Henderson are keeping their cards close to the vest thus far at USC.

Everyone who cares about USC football is eager to know which players are going to be helped the most by the new defensive scheme being installed by D’Anton Lynn, with help from Eric Henderson and the rest of the Trojans’ rock-star defensive staff. It’s natural to want to see how this scheme will unlock the talents of players who struggled under Alex Grinch. If growth and evolution in this scheme can be exponential and substantial, USC’s ceiling for 2024 rises that much more than previously thought.

Given this obvious desire for fans and outsiders to learn more, it would be easy for Lynn and Henderson to feed that fire, but they actually stepped back from making firm and bold predictions for this defense. They explained why last week when they talked to Los Angeles media.

Let’s look at this notion of patience a little more:

Eric Henderson is more than just an elite defensive line coach at USC

Henderson — ‘Coach Henny’ — has an inspiring life story and an infectious love of people.

Eric Henderson was unanimously viewed as a great hire at USC by head coach Lincoln Riley, but he might be an even better hire than we all knew. Of course Henderson is known as Aaron Donald’s defensive line coach with the Los Angeles Rams and a Super Bowl champion. Those two credentials say so much about Henderson. Everyone thought this hire was a grand slam home run by Riley and USC, and how could anyone argue with that claim?

However, the story beneath the surface credentials — and the coach who was so highly recommended when he interviewed for the USC job — is so much greater than the on-field accomplishments.

Henderson has a winning personality and a compelling life story which make him that much more of a presence and a force at USC. Let’s dive into that:

Eric Henderson says leaving Rams for USC job ‘was a no-brainer’

Eric Henderson wanted to challenge himself and leaving the Rams to become USC’s co-defensive coordinator was one way to do that

Eric Henderson joined the Rams as their defensive line coach in 2019 and immediately became a beloved member of Sean McVay’s coaching staff. Shortly after the Rams’ season ended with their loss to the Lions, Henderson was hired by USC as their co-defensive coordinator.

It was a shocking loss for the Rams, who had one of the best defensive lines in football under Henderson’s guidance over the last five years. With Raheem Morris being viewed as a head coaching candidate, some even saw Henderson as a potential replacement as the Rams’ defensive coordinator.

On Thursday, Henderson spoke with members of the media and said joining USC’s staff was “a no-brainer” for him, seeking the next challenge in his career.

“It just made sense, he said.

Even though he’s no longer on the Rams’ coaching staff, Henderson remains a big backer of Kobie Turner – the team’s stud third-round defensive tackle who led all rookies with nine sacks in 2023.

Henderson told reporters that Turner “should have won Defensive Rookie of the Year,” a case he made throughout the season.