Brian Kelly secured his second commitment in four days when the elite edge prospect, Trenton Henderson, committed to LSU. The Pensacola, Florida native ranks as a four-star prospect and the 11th best edge on the 247 Composite. LSU won an SEC recruiting battle as Henderson chose the Tigers over his home-state Florida Gators and Texas. Henderson’s commitment gave LSU two in four days after the commitment of cornerback Dezyrian Ellis.
Henderson Commits to LSU
More Speed Off the Edge
Used exclusively as a stand-up outside linebacker, Henderson is a blur off the edge when rushing the passer. He’s a twitchy athlete who often bursts past offensive tackles untouched. If any part of his game stands out more than his speed, it’s his fluidity. Henderson is a tall and fluid athlete at 6’-5” and 225 pounds. His body control prevents him from overpursuing ball carriers, allowing him to change direction easily.
Versatility is invaluable, and Henderson has it. He leaves the trenches to line up against receivers in the slot when necessary, and he looks comfortable doing so. Rushing the passer is easily his strength at the moment. However, he displays the tools to be a complete outside linebacker. Beyond that, His strength and physical nature at this stage indicate the ability to potentially put his hand in the ground at defensive end.
Also a basketball player, Henderson looks the part with his length, athleticism, and aforementioned fluid movement. But make no mistake about it, he plays with the edge of a football player. Most of his tackles and pressures end in violent collisions, and it’s not uncommon to see a big hit slightly after the whistle. The talented prospect enjoys contact and plays to dominate.
Moving Up the Ranks
Kelly has gained positive notoriety from his most recent transfer portal haul, but the Tigers continue to recruit well at the high school level. His lowest-ranked class at LSU was his first one, which ranked 12th. The 2026 class is holding its ground at 13 on the 247 Composite but has risen to 6th on the On3.com industry rankings. There are 12 prospects currently committed to LSU. More importantly, the quality is apparent with LSU’s class averaging the highest rating per player in the country.
With only 12 commitments, LSU will continue to recruit at every position. But Henderson is the only pure edge player in the class, so expect the Tigers to continue to recruit the position aggressively. There are no inside linebackers, running backs, or quarterbacks in the class.
Considering the trend of more prospects committing before their senior season, this class will likely grow quickly in July. Local star athlete Lamar Brown of University High plans to make his decision in July, as well as several other prominent recruits. Brown can play on either side of the line at the next level. We like LSU’s chances with defensive tackle Darryus McKinley, the younger brother of current Tiger Dominick McKinley. Keep an eye on the Tigers; they’ll have an active summer on the recruiting trail.
Main Image: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
