Week 11's Overnight Sensation: Jaylen Henderson, Quarterback

Each Monday during the 2023 Texas A&M football season, we’ll identify a first or second-year Aggie player who delivered an exceptional performance over the weekend and earned the distinction of being the week’s ‘Overnight Sensation.’

From the sidelines to the spotlight.

As quarterback No. 3 on the depth chart, Jaylen Henderson transferred to Texas A&M from Fresno State during the offseason. Recognizing the talent that stood in front of him, he put in the work needed to be successful if his number was ever called.

Still, Henderson came to Aggieland despite knowing there was a slim opportunity for playing time with fellow quarterbacks Conner Weigman and Max Johnson returning with SEC experience.

Yet, Henderson competed even with the odds stacked against him.

Then a foot injury ended Weigman’s season. And then Johnson suffered a rib injury that sidelined him on Saturday.

Out of necessity, Henderson took the field and provided a feel-good win to a sputtering program.

“He came in, first off, he was always ready for any situation,” A&M receiver Ainias Smith said of Henderson. “He stayed ready, even when he was the third-string quarterback.

“He goes hard every single day. Even after practice, he always staying after, getting extra throws in, doing a little extra running, whatever the case is. He’s already ready. And shoot, it showed today.”

The third-stringer took the field in front of 103,266 against Mississippi State and showed poise well beyond his experience in a 51-10 blowout victory.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Henderson was 11-for-19 (57.9%) for 150 yards through the air and scrambled for 60 yards on 12 rushes in Saturday’s win.

Henderson totaled 64 rushing yards and logged five completions in five games for Fresno State. On Saturday, the transfer accounted for four touchdowns — two passing and two rushing — and 210 total yards.

In his first collegiate start, the Encino, California, native led A&M to 34 first-half points, the most in an SEC game since Kyle Allen hung 35 against Auburn on Nov. 8, 2014.

His first drive of the day was a perfect response to Mississippi State’s game-opening kickoff house call. Henderson drove the Aggies 80 yards and capped off that march by scrambling into the end zone from 22 yards out.

With Henderson leading the way, A&M scored on eight of its 12 offensive drives as #16 led the team with 60 rushing yards.

His other touchdown run came in the second quarter as he continued his stellar debut on the ground.

“Really just playing my game and showing that I was a dual-threat quarterback,” Henderson said. “Not someone who can just run, but also can throw the ball. That’s a big part of what I’ve been practicing in the offseason. Just getting bigger, stronger, faster. So I wanted to put that on display.”

His dual-threat capabilities were displayed in his highlight-reel dart to an in-stride Jahdae Walker, his roommate, to score six more and stretch the Aggies’ lead to 48-10.

From the slim chances of playing to guiding A&M to a dominant victory in his first collegiate start against an SEC team.

Talk about a spotlight.

“I saw the opportunity at Texas A&M,” Henderson said. “I loved everything about the school. Love Coach (Bobby) Petrino and Coach (Jimbo) Fisher, so that’s something that drew me here. And I’m glad I made the transfer.”

Plenty of Aggies are glad, too.

Henderson’s stats vs. Mississippi State
Completions: 11
Attempts: 19
Total Yards: 210
Touchdowns: 4
Interceptions: 0

Henderson’s 2023 stats
Completions: 11
Attempts: 19
Passing Yards: 217
Touchdowns: 4
Interceptions: 0