AggieYell.com's series on members of the 2023 Texas A&M football team continues with a look at quarterback Jaylen Henderson, who will wear number 16.
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 215 pounds
2022 stats (at Fresno State): 2 carries, -2 yards (5-8, 49 yards passing; 14 carries, 68 yards rushing in 2021)
Considering he hardly played last year at Fresno State, it seemed like a long shot that a Power 5 team would come after Henderson. But A&M offered him the first day he was in the transfer portal on April 20 and committed to the Aggies on May 7.
The reason for A&M's interest is plain and simple: depth. They only had three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster after Haynes King and Eli Stowers transferred out, and the Aggies have come perilously close to playing walk-ons each of the last two seasons.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino liked what he saw of Henderson on tape and went after him personally, which is an indication that A&M likes his potential. This year, they simply hope he'll continue to develop and be an option that allows freshman Marcel Reed to redshirt.
Projected role
Third-string quarterback.
