LaDarius Henderson Bio
LaDarius Henderson is an American professional football guard who plays in the National Football League (NFL). Born in Waxahachie, Texas, he currently plays for the Indianapolis Colts. Henderson attended Waxahachie High School before playing college football for both the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Michigan Wolverines. He entered the NFL after being selected in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 290 pounds, Henderson has built a reputation as a versatile offensive lineman capable of playing both guard and tackle. He earned First-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2023 and was part of the Michigan team that won the College Football Playoff national championship that same year. His professional journey has included brief stops in Houston and Cleveland before landing with the Indianapolis Colts.
Early Life and Background
LaDarius Henderson was born on December 11, 2001, in Waxahachie, Texas. Waxahachie, a city located just south of Dallas, has a strong high school football tradition, and Henderson grew up surrounded by that culture. Despite the prominence of football in his hometown, Henderson did not begin playing organized football until his junior year at Waxahachie High School. This late introduction to the sport makes his subsequent rise through the college and professional ranks all the more remarkable.
During his time at Waxahachie High School, Henderson developed quickly thanks to his natural size and athleticism. His late start meant he had less competitive experience than many of his peers, but he compensated with a strong work ethic and rapid physical development. Once he committed to the sport, he progressed swiftly and attracted attention from college programs on the West Coast.
Path to Professional Football
Henderson’s path to professional football began when he committed to Arizona State University. He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils from 2019 through the 2022 season, lining up at both left guard and left tackle. During his time in Tempe, Henderson started 29 games for the Sun Devils and demonstrated consistent improvement. By his senior season in 2022, he had earned the role of team captain, underscoring his leadership qualities and reliability.
His final season at Arizona State was cut short when he broke a bone in his hand in October 2022, forcing him to miss the last six games of the year. Looking for a fresh start and a chance to compete at the highest level of college football, Henderson entered the NCAA transfer portal in December 2022 and committed to the University of Michigan. He later explained that he wanted to play with the best offensive line in the country, and he believed Michigan offered exactly that opportunity.
After transferring, Henderson missed Michigan’s spring practice while completing classwork remotely at Arizona State and taking final exams in early May 2023. Once he joined the Wolverines, he quickly earned a starting role. In 2023, he appeared in 14 games and made 10 starts at left tackle, helping anchor a dominant offensive line. His performance that season earned him First-team All-Big Ten honors, and he finished the year as a national champion when Michigan won the College Football Playoff.
LaDarius Henderson Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Henderson’s early football career was spent at Arizona State, where he transformed from a late-starting high school player into one of the most reliable offensive linemen in the Pac-12. Starting 29 games across four seasons, he showcased versatility by playing both left guard and left tackle. His steady development culminated in a team captaincy for the 2022 Arizona State Sun Devils football team.
The 2022 season proved to be both rewarding and challenging. While Henderson earned the respect of his teammates as a captain, his year was interrupted by a broken hand in October. The injury forced him to miss the final six games and ultimately contributed to his decision to seek a new opportunity through the transfer portal. Despite the setback, his body of work at Arizona State made him an attractive recruit for elite programs.
Michigan Wolverines Breakthrough (2023)
Henderson’s single season at Michigan in 2023 became the defining chapter of his college career. After joining the program mid-year, he worked his way into a starting role at left tackle and appeared in 14 games for the Wolverines. He started 10 of those contests, providing stability and toughness on an offensive line widely regarded as one of the best in college football.
His play during the 2023 season earned him First-team All-Big Ten honors, recognizing him among the top offensive linemen in the conference. Henderson capped the season by helping Michigan capture the College Football Playoff national championship. The victory cemented his status as a championship-caliber lineman and helped position him for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Houston Texans Era (2024)
Henderson’s professional career began when he was selected in the seventh round, 249th overall, by the Houston Texans in the 2024 NFL Draft. Although he was a late-round selection, his championship pedigree and positional flexibility made him an intriguing developmental prospect. Shortly after signing, Henderson was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on July 17, 2024, delaying his early progress with the team.
On August 26, 2025, as part of the Texans’ final roster cuts, Henderson was waived. Despite the brief tenure, his time in Houston represented his first full experience inside an NFL organization.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025)
Following his release from Houston, Henderson found a new opportunity on October 1, 2025, when he signed with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad. Joining the Browns gave him a chance to continue developing within an NFL environment while keeping him ready for a potential elevation to the active roster. His stay in Cleveland, however, was short, as he was released on October 28, 2025.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2025–Present)
On December 16, 2025, Henderson signed with the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad, where he continues to work toward an expanded role. Joining the Colts placed him on an offensive line with a clear need for depth, giving him a meaningful opportunity to compete for a roster spot heading into the next league year. His journey through three franchises in a short span reflects both the volatility of life as a late-round lineman and his persistence in pursuing an NFL career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Henderson’s career came in 2023, when he helped Michigan win the College Football Playoff national championship. Earning First-team All-Big Ten recognition in the same season further validated his development. Being selected 249th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and later navigating practice-squad stints with multiple teams have marked the early professional chapters of his journey.
LaDarius Henderson Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Henderson’s career is measured less in individual win totals and more in team success and individual recognition. At the college level, his most significant victory came as part of Michigan’s 2023 College Football Playoff national championship run. His First-team All-Big Ten selection that same season highlighted his standing among the conference’s top linemen.
College Highlights
During his four seasons at Arizona State, Henderson started 29 games and served as a team captain in 2022. At Michigan, he appeared in 14 games and started 10 at left tackle in 2023, anchoring an offensive line that powered the Wolverines to a national title. These collective accomplishments represent the primary highlights of his amateur career.
Other Wins and Performances
Henderson’s path through the NFL has so far been defined by perseverance rather than headline victories. He earned a spot on the Houston Texans’ roster after the 2024 draft and later signed practice-squad deals with the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts, continuing to develop within league systems.
LaDarius Henderson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Henderson was raised in Waxahachie, Texas, where his late start in football during his junior year at Waxahachie High School did not prevent him from reaching the professional level. Public details about his immediate family are limited.
Personal Life
Henderson focuses on his professional football career and continues to pursue opportunities with the Indianapolis Colts. Limited public information is available about his personal relationships or family life beyond his upbringing in Waxahachie.
2025 Season Performance
Henderson’s 2025 season has been a period of transition and resilience. After being waived by the Houston Texans on August 26, 2025, during final roster cuts, he signed with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad on October 1, 2025. Less than a month later, on October 28, he was released by Cleveland, leaving him briefly without a team before his next opportunity arrived.
On December 16, 2025, Henderson signed with the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad, providing him with a fresh platform to showcase his skills. Joining the Colts mid-season offered him a chance to integrate into a new offensive system while continuing his professional development. His movement through three organizations in a single calendar year highlights both the competitive nature of NFL roster management and his determination to remain in the league.
Looking ahead, Henderson’s focus will be on turning his practice-squad role in Indianapolis into a longer-term opportunity. With positional versatility at guard and tackle and experience from a championship program at Michigan, he offers the kind of depth that teams often seek along the offensive line. His 2025 journey underscores the persistence required to sustain a professional football career.