Troy Henderson verbally committed to Syracuse on Tuesday night, but he’s had a connection to the Orange since he was born.

That connection stands in the form of a statue of a relative outside Gate E of the Carrier Dome.

“That’s Uncle Ernie, man,” Henderson said. “That means a lot. I won’t be able to top what he did, but if I get to do half of what he did, that’ll be satisfying.”

Henderson, a three-star recruit, became the 23rd commit in SU’s Class of 2015, choosing the Orange over Rutgers and Nebraska, among other schools. The St. Edward (Ohio) High School outside linebacker is the nephew of Syracuse legend Ernie Davis, and is now going to try and cement his own legacy at Syracuse.

“Of course I’m going to try and come in and play early. I expect to play early,” Henderson said. “I expect to come and work hard, be the first one there, last one to leave.”

Henderson noted a multitude of strengths he possesses at the linebacker position. He touched on his speed, quickness and vision, but emphasized one part of his game over the rest.

“I’m able to get off the ball quick, able to get off blocks quick, make plays in the open field and make open-field tackles,” Henderson said. “I’m a very good tackler.”

The Orange came early, offering Henderson in April. He called it an “over-my-head experience” and was humbled by Syracuse’s interest in him.

Henderson said his relationship with SU linebackers coach Clark Lea was a big factor in his decision to commit. Not only will Lea be Henderson’s positional coach, but he’s also the one who fittingly recruited him to Syracuse.

With the Orange’s current Class of 2015 being the most in the country, Henderson sees that as a sign that the Orange is ascending into the higher ranks of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

“I see them on the rise,” Henderson said. “I see them kind of like everybody else in the ACC.”

He compared Syracuse’s potential in the ACC to the success Texas A&M has had in its brief time in the Southeastern Conference. Even though the Orange isn’t ranked toward the top in most ACC projections, Henderson expects SU to do “something special real quick.”

Henderson announced via Twitter at 5:30 that he’d chosen between Syracuse, Nebraska and Rutgers. And at 7:30, the Orange welcomed its nation-leading 23rd commit.

“My family thought it was the best thing for me to do,” Henderson said. “I feel 100 percent right about it.”

Published on July 16, 2014 at 12:29 am

Contact Matt: mcschnei@syr.edu | @matt_schneidman