Tag: Eric Henderson

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.

USC target Jared Smith was blown away by new Trojan assistant coach Eric Henderson

Eric Henderson is already making a strong first impression on recruits.

The impact of new USC defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator Eric Henderson is only beginning to be seen and felt. Inside and outside the program, it is already apparent that Henderson is a very impressive figure who commands respect and is earning admiration.

Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports notes that one USC recruiting target and his family were quite impressed by what they saw and heard at USC, with Henderson leading the way.

“247Sports’ No. 1 edge rusher Jared Smith visited USC this weekend. The Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson blue-chipper made the trek out West with his mother and aunt. The three of them loved the experience and Smith said he’ll definitely be back.”

It’s impossible to ignore: Eric Henderson coached Aaron Donald with the Los Angeles Rams. He developed other less heraled Ram linemen into strong and productive pass rushers. Henderson has credentials and stories to share on the recruiting trail which will create a strongly positive impression. USC has an assistant coach who is in position to make a huge difference in recruiting.

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USC flips blue-chip 2024 defensive line commit on eve of national signing day

USC beats out Utah for a defensive lineman who decommitted from Washington.

On Tuesday, Ratumana Bulabalavu took to social media to announce his commitment to play football at USC. Defensive line coaches Shaun Nua and Eric Henderson closed in on the Carlsbad, California, four-star lineman after he decommitted from the University of Washington on January 24.

USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn has made it no secret that he values versatile linemen who can allow the defense to have multiple fronts without the need to substitute. Bulabalavu is big and athletic. He’s currently listed at 6-4 and 260 pounds, but he has the frame to add significant weight and become an even bigger force.

The multi-sport standout at Army and Navy Academy also starred in rugby and on the track team, where he competed in the discus, shot put, triple jump, and the 110-meter hurdles.  His size, strength and athleticism will allow him to play multiple positions on the line when he has a year or two in a collegiate strength and conditioning program.

In an interview with 247Sports, Bulabalavu shared his thoughts behind his decision:

“I like the scheme fit as well,” he said. “They see me as a combo, outside/inside player. They want a dynamic defensive line that is both athletic but also very heavy up front to compete in the Big Ten, so I’ll move around from tackle to edge.”

Explaining his choice for the Trojans over the Utah Utes, Bulabalavu highlighted the coaching staff’s potential. He added, “I’m completely bought in to being a part of the first class they develop and cultivate into an NFL talent.”

Bulabalavu becomes the sixth player added to the Trojans’ defensive line in the offseason, one more example of Lincoln Riley’s pledge to prioritize the defense. USC currently has the No. 17 recruiting class in the country, and Jadyn Walker is expected to flip his commitment from Michigan State to USC on national signing day.

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D’Anton Lynn, Eric Henderson will bring a holistic approach to USC defense

D’Anton Lynn and Eric Henderson can solve problems at all levels of the USC defense.

D’Anton Lynn played as a defensive back at Penn State and in the pro ranks. Eric Henderson has been a defensive line developer. As the two men prepare to be co-defensive coordinators at USC, how are they going to work together, and how will they approach handling the Trojans’ defense in the Big Ten?

Luca Evans of the Orange County Register tried to explore these questions in a story which involved insights from former coaching colleagues of the two men:

“It’s a natural pairing: Lynn the analyst, Henderson the motivator. And both were prepared for this, too, by those shared meeting rooms back in 2017, where Bradley would mandate his entire defensive staff game-planned together – no separation between the front and secondary. Henderson is more than a defensive-line coach, Bradley said; he understands the back end. And Lynn, who has specialized in coaching secondaries throughout his NFL tenure before his year at UCLA, has come into USC with a clear vision for molding the Trojans up front.

“’I think they’re very much on the same page with that,’ Giff Smith said. ‘I mean, D’Anton did a great job with the outside edge rushers at UCLA and creating pressure on the quarterback, and being creative on his different simulated pressures that he brought, and Eric did that under Raheem (Morris) a bunch too. So I just really think it’s an easy fit.’”

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