Hancock's Henderson Signs with DII Powerhouse Valdosta State

Hancock's Henderson Signs with DII Powerhouse Valdosta State
January 2, 2014

After breaking nearly every receiving record in two seasons at Allan Hancock College, wide receiver Shane Henderson will continue his college football career at a four-year university. The sophomore signed a national letter of intent to Valdosta State University, a Division II football powerhouse in southeast Georgia.

Valdosta State is coming off a 6-4 season that included a 3-3 mark in the Gulf South Conference. The Blazers won NCAA Division II championships in 2004, 2007 and 2012.

Henderson earned 2013 All-Conference and All-State First Team honors for the second time in his Hancock career after he led the Southern California Football Association with 74 receptions for 1,069 receiving yards. The Indiana native owns Hancock records for career receptions (134), career receiving yards (2,173), career touchdown catches (19), receptions in a single-season (74) and receiving yards in a single-season (1,104). Henderson also tied the program record for most touchdown catches in a single-season with 12 back in 2011.

"Shane is the best all-around football player I have ever coached," said Kris Dutra, who just completed his 13th season as head coach at Allan Hancock College. "He was such an amazing athlete and teammate and could have started at almost any position for us," Dutra added. On top of playing wide receiver, Henderson was also the team's punter, place kicker, kick returner and long snapper.

Valdosta State is coached by David Dean, a two-time American Football Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year. He owns a 60-21 career record and .741 winning percentage after seven seasons at Valdosta State. He's guided the Blazers to two national championships, and two additional appearances in the NCAA playoffs. Five Blazers who have played for Dean have gone on to the NFL, including offensive guard Edmund Kugblia, who in 2013 became VSU's highest draft pick when he went in the fourth round to the Carolina Panthers.

Henderson signed his scholarship papers during the semester break in Indiana. He plans to attend spring classes at Valdosta State.

Shane could step into a starting role immediately for Valdosta State, which lost its top two receivers from the 2013 team to graduation. All-Conference First Team pick Seantavius Jones led the Blazers with 55 catches for 777 yards and 13 touchdowns.