Nolan Henderson Bio
Nolan Michael Henderson is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens. Henderson led his high school team to two state championships and set several records before having a successful college career.
Early Life and Background
Nolan Michael Henderson was born on June 26, 1998, in Smyrna, Delaware. He attended Smyrna High School, where he was a three-year starter and two-time team captain. In his final two seasons, Henderson led his team to an impressive overall record of 24–1 and secured the school’s first two state championships. He threw for 5,614 yards and 68 touchdowns during his high school career, earning first-team all-state honors twice. Henderson set several state records, including career passing touchdowns (104) and single-season passing yards (3,380). In 2016, he was awarded the Maxwell Jim Henry Award for best player in Delaware, along with Gatorade State Player of the Year and DIFCA Offensive Player of the Year honors. At the annual Delaware High School All-Star game in June 2017, he was named most valuable player after leading the gold team to a 44–0 victory. In addition to football, Henderson also excelled in baseball, starting four years as an outfielder under his father’s coaching at Smyrna High School.
Path to American Football
After considering several schools in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), Henderson committed to play college football for the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens. He began his college career as a redshirt freshman in 2017, where he did not see game action but operated on the scout team. The following season, he made his collegiate debut against Lafayette and saw significant action against Villanova, throwing a touchdown pass after coming in for the injured Pat Kehoe. Henderson completed 12-of-20 passes for 152 yards and rushed for 36 yards in his first season. Four games into the 2019 season, he was named the starter, becoming the first starting quarterback for the Blue Hens from a Delaware school since Sam Postlethwait in 2001. In his first career start against Penn, he threw for three touchdowns and 260 yards. Henderson became a full-time starter in the 2020–21 season, leading his team to a 7–1 record and setting a school record with a 70.7 completion percentage, which ranked first in the CAA and third in the FCS. He was named first-team all-conference for his performance.
Nolan Henderson Career
Early Career (2023)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Nolan Henderson was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023. However, he was released from the team on June 6, 2023. Shortly after, on January 22, 2024, he signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL). He re-signed with the team on September 18, 2024, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Breakthrough (2024)
Henderson’s transition to the UFL with the Houston Roughnecks represents a significant step in his professional journey. As he continues to develop his skills and gain experience, he aims to establish himself as a key player in the league. His early achievements, including being named first-team All-CAA and second-team All-CAA during his college career, provide a strong foundation for his future endeavors in professional football.
Notable Works and Milestones
Henderson’s signature achievements include leading his high school team to two state championships and setting multiple records during his time at Delaware. He finished his college career second all-time in Delaware history for touchdown passes, completing 550-of-850 pass attempts for 6,429 yards and scoring eight rushing touchdowns.
Nolan Henderson Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Nolan Henderson has received several accolades, including first-team All-CAA honors in 2020 and 2021, as well as second-team All-CAA recognition in 2022.
Nolan Henderson Awards Won
Nolan Henderson has achieved notable recognition during his football career, particularly during his time in college. His awards include being named first-team All-CAA in 2020 and 2021, and second-team All-CAA in 2022. These awards highlight his performance and contributions to his teams during critical seasons.