11/4/2019 football Edit

Small town Alabama RB talks first SEC offer

Chad Simmons • Rivals.com

Recruiting Analyst

Chad Simmons is a Recruiting Analyst for Rivals.com. He was the expert on The Next Class on Fox Sports South from 2011-2015. He currently covers Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

HARTFORD, Ala. — Rivals.com spent time all over the bottom half of Alabama recently and one stop was Geneva County High School.

The head football coach there is Jim Bob Striplin, a 1995 graduate before playing football at Auburn, and he may have been the last Power 5 prospect to play for the Bulldogs.

That was until Emmanuel Henderson emerged this fall. The sophomore running back 2,920 total yards through nine games and he has scored 41 touchdowns.

His film is just starting to get out and social media opened communication between Henderson and the Gamecocks, a school that really likes his film.

"South Carolina followed me on Twitter one day, I sent my highlights to them, then they got in touch with my coach and invited me up to visit," said Henderson.

"I went up there for the Kentucky game and coach [Will] Muschamp called me into his office. We sat down and talked for about 10-15 minutes, then he told me I had a full offer to the University of South Carolina.

"He said they watched my film, that they were very impressed and he thinks I can play college ball there."

"Emmanuel is a dynamic back with a unique skill set. We've used him primarily as a running back, but he has great hands and an uncanny ability to see the field from anywhere out there. He's been a sure fire weapon in the return game, as he is a threat to score on any single touch. Another factor that makes him unique is his explosion and toughness. I'm glad he's on our team. He gives us a chance every week!

— - Coach Striplin

That offer was not expected. Henderson described it as a "shocker" and it was completely caught off guard.

That news, combined with the visit has definitely put the SEC school on his radar.

It It was a shocker...

"The offer came out of nowhere," said Henderson. "It was mind-blowing getting that first offer and that really stood out to me on the visit. I also liked the facilities and I thought the fan base was great too.

"It was rainy that day, but it was still loud and I had a good time.

"I really liked it there. It was fun and I plan to get back up there. South Carolina is definitely one of the schools I am interested in now."

Henderson grew up an Auburn fan. One of his favorite players is Cam Newton and Henderson had family members go to school on the Plains.

.Tennessee came in with an offer Friday and Henderson is now looking into the Vols. Auburn has started to show interest and he is visiting there over the weekend. Alabama and Troy are two others that have reached out. It is only a matter of time before new offers come in for this 2022 prospect.

Henderson has scored 28 rushing touchdowns, he has returns six kick-offs for scores, he has caught four touchdown passes, and he has added one passing touchdown, one pick six and a punt return this season.