Brandon Henderson fills critical role on Illini line
· Yahoo Sports
Aug. 8—CHAMPAIGN — Brandon Henderson's path to his role as Illinois' starting right guard was anything but a linear progression.
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Henderson repped at all five offensive line positions during his freshman season in 2023, playing nine games as he mostly bounced between tackle and guard. Pegged as the starter at right guard heading into the 2024 season, the East St. Louis native gave way to Zy Crisler early in the season before taking back that spot on the line.
And it's his spot.
Henderson started 12 of 13 games at right guard last season and will be back in that position this season as the lone returning starter on a new-look Illinois offensive line this fall.
Not that he's letting simple inertia make his starting spot a guarantee.
"Never get lax," Henderson said was his approach. "Take it one day at a time, and when my opportunity does come, take advantage of it."
Henderson should have plenty of opportunities this season. Expectations have changed significantly for the 6-foot-5, 335-pound offensive lineman compared to his first three years in Champaign.
Henderson used to be the "young guy" on a line dominated by veterans the past two seasons. Now, he's looked to as a leader because of his experience. Securing a starting spot on the line is no longer the end-all, be-all goal.
"He's proven what he can do," Illinois offensive line coach Bart Miller said. "That needs to happen every play. The consistency needs to be there every play and the discipline not only to take care of his body but to continue to grow. There are no, 'Oh, I just got beat' type of plays.
"The level of intensity has to increase. The level of play has to be much more consistent. I'm not saying anything I haven't told him and he knows. So far, he's really embraced that."
Miller has also seen Henderson embrace a leadership role. That was vital during Illinois' spring practices, with transfers and projected starters Christian Martin (Colorado State), Maika Matelau (Mt. San Antonio College) and Jake Renfro (Wisconsin) already on campus.
The Illinois offensive line turned to Henderson, as the most experienced returning player, to lead. The Illini returned 20 starts among their offensive linemen for the 2026 season, and 17 of them belong to Henderson. Brandon Hansen, Nathan Knapik and TJ McMillen have one start apiece.
"He took that role of being the immediate leader coming in, teaching the new guys the offense and helping me out," said Renfro, who sat out spring practices after missing most of the 2025 season at Wisconsin with a knee injury.
"He's a lead-by-example guy," Renfro continued. "He does all the little things the right way. That's what we need on this team. The little things go a long way. That's how you win games. That's how you win championships. Having a guy like that in the room is awesome.
"Watching him on tape the past couple years, he's a stud. He's athletic. He's strong. He plays nasty. It's fun to play next to him because I know what I can expect from him."
The consistency Renfro has seen from Henderson is what Miller expects now that the East St. Louis native has moved into that veteran leader role. The Illinois offensive line coach wants that reflected in everything Henderson does on and off the field from attitude to work ethic to his daily approach each time he steps foot into the Smith Center.
"He's an incredibly smart player, an incredibly gifted athlete and a wonderful man," Miller said. "He's a great guy. But that has to be the consistent thing all the time. I think he could do that — play the way he's capable of — and take this game as far as he wants."
That's only part of the expectation for Henderson this season, though. He's also expected to bring the rest of the offensive line with him in the process.
"I've been in their shoes before," Henderson said. "I know some guys haven't played Big Ten ball yet. I'm bringing them along with us and letting them know it can get real, real fast. I'm making sure we're all on the same page and they're locked in on that."