Alvin Henderson is starting to turn some heads in Auburn’s crowded backfield, and the timing could hardly be better.
The Tigers are still sorting out how deep their running back rotation will go this season, but Henderson is making a case to be part of the answer. After first drawing notice on special teams, he stood out during Auburn’s first major fall scrimmage on Friday and gave Larry Porter another name to weigh behind Jeremiah Cobb.
“I thought Henderson went with the twos and had a really, really good drive,” Golesh said.
That showing fits a recent upward trend. Golesh said Henderson needed a little time to settle in early in camp, but the last few days have been different.
“The last couple of days have stepped up,” Golesh said.
That matters in a room Porter has made it clear he doesn’t want limited to just a couple of guys.
“I want the whole room,” Porter said earlier this week.
Henderson is giving him another option, and special teams may be the first way he earns his way onto the field. Porter has already praised what Henderson has done there during fall camp, and his message to the backs has been straightforward.
“If you want a spot on the bus, earn it.”
For Henderson, that path may still lead mostly through special teams, but his work at running back is starting to register too.
Auburn’s scrimmage on Friday also featured a few other notable backfield looks. Omar Mabson and Bryson Washington both got first-team reps, while Henderson worked with the second group. Nykahi Davenport was held out but is expected back Sunday.
Golesh was especially interested in seeing Washington handle a longer workload after he missed significant time in the spring.
Washington, the former Baylor standout, entered spring as the projected backup to Jeremiah Cobb. But comments from Golesh about Washington’s readiness and conditioning in the new offensive system raised some questions. Now, with week one in Atlanta against his former team approaching, he appears to be getting closer to being ready to compete.
Still, Auburn’s backfield picture remains unsettled.
Cobb brings experience. Mabson keeps getting first-team chances.
Washington is working his way back. Davenport is on the way back in.
And Henderson is making noise.
Porter has said repeatedly that every back in the room needs to prepare like a starter, because injuries happen and chances can come fast. Henderson is beginning to show what that looks like - first on special teams, and now at running back.
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