Early bird happy to learn
As lone early enrollee, CB Henderson has time to work through bumps
At first, Malik Henderson was a little bit lonely.
It’s understandable. As the lone early enrollee in Pitt’s 2015 recruiting class, he arrived on campus a full five months before his future classmates, in time to participate in the Panthers’ spring practices.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. The plan was for Henderson to be one of three early enrollees, along with fellow defensive back Jordan Whitehead and quarterback Alex Hornibrook.
Hornibook followed former Panthers coach Paul Chryst to Wisconsin, and Whitehead opted to finish his senior year of high school before enrolling at Pitt, which left Henderson as the lone representative.
“At first it was kind of lonely,” he said. “But I feel like I’d rather be the person to set the standard for my class than let anyone else do it.”
Henderson, a Hallandale, Fla., native, said he has had some help from older players adapting to college life. Everyone has lent him a hand getting to know campus and schedules, and his position-mates have been more than helpful in teaching him the ropes of being a college cornerback.
He said his biggest allies have been fellow cornerback Avonte Maddox and safety Patrick Amara. Last season, Maddox played extensively as a freshman, so he knows the challenge Henderson is in for if he wants to see the field this year.
Defensive coordinator Josh Conklin said he thinks Henderson is hitting a bit of a freshman wall three weeks into his first spring camp, but is optimistic he’ll work his way through it. Without a summer conditioning session to get up to speed, it was almost unavoidable.
“Malik’s going to be a really good player for us, though,” Conklin said. “He’s got instincts, he’s got the length, he’s got range. He’s going to be really good. He’s just a guy you’ve got to be patient with because he’s a puppy right now.”
Coach Pat Narduzzi agreed with his coordinator that Henderson is enduring some usual rookie struggles, but said he thought he would hit the wall sooner than he actually did. The only thing, according to Narduzzi, that can help a player get over that hump in adjusting to college football is time.
“It’s nothing we were surprised by,” Narduzzi said. “You see it happen in fall camp when most of the freshmen come. You know what, when fall camp comes, all the rest of the freshmen will be hitting a wall and he’ll be climbing the wall. That’s the beautiful thing.”
From Henderson’s point of view, the biggest adjustment has been the consistency with which he has to practice.
“You can’t take any plays off, and it’s moving a lot faster than high school,” he said.
He’s already trying to communicate that message of consistency and hard work to his classmates, who will arrive on campus in June to begin their summer workouts.
Henderson said he has regular contact with local prospects like Dane Jackson, Tre Tipton and Whitehead, who have been regulars at practices this spring.
“I just tell them to prepare their body; it’s not going to be easy,” Henderson said. “Even though you’re working hard now, it’s a whole different level of hard work when you get here. Just be ready for it.”