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Eli Lederman, ESPN
Auburn gained a major in-state flip and its highest-rated prospect in the 2025 class when running back Alvin Henderson, No. 55 in the ESPN 300, decommitted from Penn State and gave his verbal pledge to the Tigers on Friday.
“#WAREAGLE. I’m staying home,” Henderson wrote on Twitter/X.
#WAREAGLE I’m staying home 🏡🦅🥶 https://t.co/ySQi65oXK2
— “𝐀” 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 2️⃣ 𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍 (@AlHenderson_1) June 21, 2024
The four-star running back from Elba, Alabama, had been committed to the Nittany Lions since April 11 and his move follows visits to both Auburn and Penn State in recent weeks. With his flip, Henderson becomes the 10th ESPN 300 commit in Hugh Freeze’s second signing class with the Tigers.
Henderson tallied 225 carries for 3,532 yards and a state record 61 touchdowns last fall. He joins offensive tackles Tavaris Dice (No. 150 in ESPN 300) and Broderick Shull (No. 227) among the top offensive prospects committed to Auburn in this cycle. Five-star quarterback Julian Lewis, the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit who’s committed to USC, took an official visit with the Tigers last weekend.
Henderson’s departure marks a significant blow to James Franklin’s 2025 class. The 5-foot-10 rusher was the highest-ranked prospect headed to Penn State in the upcoming cycle. After Henderson, ESPN 300 commits Brady O’Hara (No. 4 TE-Y) and Lyrick Samuel (No. 33 wide receiver) remain as the top offensive recruits set to join the Nittany Lions in 2025.