Emmanuel Henderson Jr. is now finding Kansas success beyond kickoffs

This isn’t the time to write an article picking up KU fans off the floor after Saturday’s 37-34 loss to Cincinnati. After all, there were paltry defensive numbers, including 603 yards given up, with a healthy 215 given up on the ground on just 37 carries. 

Anyway, we want to spin this loss into at least one very positive performance. Emmanuel Henderson Jr. 

Henderson is a transfer from Alabama who joined the Jayhawks during the offseason, and he has looked every bit capable of playing for almost any team in the nation. The running back turned wideout recently compiled 214 yards for two touchdowns on just five receptions, the most notable being this massive 93-yard reception.

This brings his season totals to 435 yards on 23 receptions with four touchdowns. Now, Henderson has been kept relatively in check throughout the season in the reception game; however, his return game has been nothing short of fantastic. 

Henderson has tallied 234 yards on seven kickoffs with one touchdown against West Virginia in last week’s thumping 41-10 win over West Virginia, which began conference play as a dominant win for the Jayhawks. 

What allowed Henderson to break out against the Bearcats?

Well, speed is a good start; Henderson’s time on the ball has been nothing short of full pedal blazing speed up the field, which makes him such a weapon on kickoffs.

Yet when you look a little deeper, it looks a lot more about fooling the defenders. In his 93-yard reception against the Bearcats, you will see his defender was dragged down thanks to a RPO which took his eyes off of Henderson for a second too long, allowing the former five-star to kick into full gear.

In his second touchdown of the game you can see the same thing. 

Against a blitz, Henderson was left open in zone coverage and was able to take one cut inside before leaving the remaining secondary defender in the dust.

If Kansas offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski is able to keep drawing up plays to open up big play ability for Henderson, then continued offensive success should come without a hitch.

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