RB Marquise Henderson (5-10 170) of Belton-Honea Path is sitting on 16 offers at this point and would love to see Clemson and USC join the party. He has been to games at each this season and plans to return. Clemson has approached him as an athlete who could play multiple spots on the offense. The Gamecocks see him strictly as a running back.
“It would mean a lot to me growing up an in-state guy and going on the visits and feeling the atmosphere and feeling the way things are at those schools,” Henderson said about offers from the state’s Power Five programs. “South Carolina just wants me to get to about 185-190 (pounds) to play SEC ball and then I can get a potential offer there. Clemson, I guess I just need more film because they are recruiting me as an athlete. I just can’t have film of me playing running, so I’m just trying to get as much film as I can all over the field.”
Henderson added the fact Clemson likes him more for his overall athletic skills compared to what he does at running back is not a negative.
“I want to play all over the field,” Henderson said. “I like being labeled as an athlete. If playing running back has got to be my choice I will, but from my perspective I love playing all over the field.”
Henderson has made a recruiting visit to Clemson, and he was there for the Florida State game in September.
“I’m thinking a lot about Clemson knowing it’s in-state and it’s close to home,” Henderson said. “Clemson is a family atmosphere. Everything about Clemson is family. I love the fanbase. I love everything Dabo (Swinney) has got going at Clemson. I’ve got a lot of interest.”
Henderson visited USC for the Furman game and has been having contact with running backs coach Montario Hardesty.
“I actually grew up a South Carolina fan,” Henderson said. “I feel good about South Carolina too. Me and coach Hardesty stay in touch. He just tells me to eat my meals and get a little bigger. Playing SEC ball is a little different, so he’s just telling me to eat my meals and make sure I get a little bigger.”
“It’s a lot like Clemson,” Henderson continued. “South Carolina is a family atmosphere. He (Hardesty) wants his backs to walk into the room and everything feel like family, everything around him feel good. And the fanbase is crazy. It’s a lot like Clemson, everything is about family up there. And that’s what I need going into a college.”
Henderson said from his offers he’s hearing the most right now from Vanderbilt, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and NC State. He visit go to Virginia Tech Saturday, and he also plans to get to games at Cincinnati and Vanderbilt.
Thus far this season Henderson has rushed for 1075 yards and has scored 16 touchdowns according to the High School Sports Report.
Those numbers are only through 5 games. He’s at around 1300 yards and at least 20 TDs. USC needs to offer him yesterday.
Last week he rushed 5 times for 133 yards. Dude is a beast.
I’ve been to all of this man’s games, he’s just a beast just a natural athlete, I see why he wants to play all around the field, and I also got a picture with him.
I coached this young man 4 years in little league, if gets out of state shame on USC and Clemson. Period!