Delaware's record-breaking quarterback leaves school early, eyes the NFL

Nolan Henderson is among the career leaders in several important categories for University of Delaware quarterbacks.

He's not going to climb any higher. Henderson's next passes will be as a pro.

With one year of eligibility left, Henderson announced on social media Wednesday a plan to "pursue my dreams and take advantage of the opportunity to play at the next level" by declaring for the NFL draft.

Thus ends a UD career that certainly falls under the category of "storybook" for the Smyrna High grad, who became the most successful First State product to ever play quarterback for the Blue Hens. That's despite the assumption by many he was too short and too slight to excel even at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level.

Now 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Henderson leaves No. 2 on the all-time Delaware list in touchdowns passes (56), third in pass completions (550) and fifth in passing yards (6,429).

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"What a ride it's been," Henderson tweeted. "From growing up going to games as a local kid to being a 3-year captain and starting QB. I am humbled to be a part of the proud Delaware Football brotherhood. Blue Hen faithful, I gave you my all and left nothing out there."

Henderson committed to Delaware prior to his senior year at Smyrna in 2016, when Dave Brock was still the Blue Hens coach. He'd been first-team All-State and offensive player of the year while guiding the Eagles to the 2015 and 2016 Division I state titles, the school's first. Henderson signed an NCAA Letter of Intent to become a Blue Hen after Danny Rocco's hiring as head coach.

As a freshman in 2018, Henderson wowed coaches with his throwing acumen while red-shirting and operating the scout team. He then appeared in three games in 2019, including throwing for a touchdown against Villanova after starter Pat Kehoe suffered a concussion.

Henderson then supplanted Kehoe as the starter four games into the 2019 season, though injuries sidelined him on several occasions.

The 2021 spring season, coming when COVID-19 erased the fall 2020 schedule, was Henderson's breakthrough. He set a UD single-season record by completing 70.7 percent of his passes while continuing to also be a running threat for a 7-1 team that reached the FCS semifinals.

The 2021 fall season, however, ended after four games for Henderson because of a lower abdominal injury that required surgery. It did provide, however, a medical waiver preserving the year of eligibility, which is why Henderson could have played in 2023. The 2021 spring season also did not count against players' eligibility, the NCAA ruled.

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He returned this year and flourished in first-year coach Ryan Carty's pass-oriented uptempo spread offense, setting a UD single-season mark with 32 touchdown passes and earning second-team All-CAA honors. Henderson became the first UD quarterback to throw five touchdown passes in a game twice.

Henderson's 3,216 passing yards this fall are topped only by Matt Nagy's 2000 and Joe Flacco's 2007 single-season totals. His season ended prematurely again, however, as a broken fibula at the end of Delaware's first series in Saturday's 42-6 FCS playoff loss at South Dakota State sidelined Henderson.

Delaware will now look for Henderson's successor on its present roster, which includes red-shirt freshman Ryan O'Connor, who played most of the South Dakota State game, and via transfer additions.

Have an idea for a compelling local sports story or is there an issue that needs public scrutiny? Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware quarterback Nolan Henderson leaves Blue Hens with eyes on NFL