Wake Forest Athletics
Amari Henderson
Photo by: Joe Vogan
Henderson's Confidence Shows in Stellar Performance
11/4/2019 9:07:00 AM | Football
As the 2017 season came to a close, senior linebacker Grant Dawson, a former walk-on, was playing the absolute best football of his career for the Demon Deacons.
A year ago it was senior safety Cam Glenn who flourished down the stretch of the season, putting together five-straight games with double-digit tackles as Wake battled to bowl eligibility.
This season it appears as if cornerback Amari Henderson is saving his best for last, playing perhaps his most complete game for the Old Gold & Black in the 44-10 Wake Forest win over NC State Saturday.
Henderson had two interceptions Saturday — one in each half — and tied for the team lead with six tackles as the Wake Forest defense held the Wolfpack to their lowest offensive output of the season. The Demon Deacon offense instantly cashed both turnovers into points.
"It felt good. It felt like I was flying around," Henderson said. "A lot of that comes with preparation, watching a lot of film and going over the game plan. It was just a confidence factor for me. I was having fun."
The four Henderson interceptions puts him atop the ACC. He also had picks against Utah State and Boston College.
Henderson also had four pass breakups vs. NC State, at least a couple of which could have easily been additional interceptions.
"Most definitely," Henderson said when asked if he thought he could have had more against the Wolfpack. "I should have had one on a hitch, and that would have been a pick six. There was one where I was defending Tabari (Hines), and I felt like I should have had that. I could have had four, but I'll settle for two."
A Charlotte, N.C. native, Henderson has played well against NC State, grabbing 14 tackles in the Wake Forest come-from-behind 27-23 upset win in Raleigh last season.
"I'm not sure what it is," he said. "I try to play like that every game."
Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson attributed Henderson's play to growing confidence.
"Amari played really well. He played confident," Clawson said. "He felt confident to sit on routes. Sometimes when a corner's not confident, they'll get out of their pedal quickly, flip their hips quickly. To me, Amari played confident. He felt like he could run with them and he sat on some routes. He made some great plays and almost had another one or two more."
Henderson now has seven interceptions and 40 PBUs in his Wake Forest career.
"I got in one of my zones," he said. "When that happens, my confidence just goes through the roof. I feel like I can play, set my feet and just trust my instincts."
With the win over the Wolfpack, the Deacs claimed their first win following a regular-season off week in the Clawson era. A fast start was vital, Henderson said.
"We're trying to keep the momentum," Henderson said. "It was an emphasis this week. We were coming off a bye week, and we didn't do so well in those circumstances earlier this season. We came out flat. We wanted to start fast and punch them in the mouth and then finish.
"All three phases of the team executed, and that's offense, special teams and defense. Everybody was on one accord today. When that happens, you get the outcome you want. I still feel like we left some plays on the field."
The Wake Forest defense lost junior starting rover Luke Masterson and senior linebacker Justin Strnad to season-ending injuries in back-to-back games in mid-October, but were able to put together its best game of the season against the Wolfpack.
"You have to give credit to the coaching staff for working with us to develop depth," Henderson said. "That comes from working hard and making sure everyone involved knows their job. That's a credit to the coaching staff. As players, you have to put it upon yourself to not practice as a second or third-string, but practice like you are a one. Anything can happen, and you might have to be the next man up."
Even after two interceptions, NC State still threw balls Henderson's way late in the game.
"They were still throwing at me," he said with a smile. "It's just another opportunity for me to make a play on the ball, so I loved it."
A year ago it was senior safety Cam Glenn who flourished down the stretch of the season, putting together five-straight games with double-digit tackles as Wake battled to bowl eligibility.
This season it appears as if cornerback Amari Henderson is saving his best for last, playing perhaps his most complete game for the Old Gold & Black in the 44-10 Wake Forest win over NC State Saturday.
Henderson had two interceptions Saturday — one in each half — and tied for the team lead with six tackles as the Wake Forest defense held the Wolfpack to their lowest offensive output of the season. The Demon Deacon offense instantly cashed both turnovers into points.
"It felt good. It felt like I was flying around," Henderson said. "A lot of that comes with preparation, watching a lot of film and going over the game plan. It was just a confidence factor for me. I was having fun."
The four Henderson interceptions puts him atop the ACC. He also had picks against Utah State and Boston College.
Henderson also had four pass breakups vs. NC State, at least a couple of which could have easily been additional interceptions.
"Most definitely," Henderson said when asked if he thought he could have had more against the Wolfpack. "I should have had one on a hitch, and that would have been a pick six. There was one where I was defending Tabari (Hines), and I felt like I should have had that. I could have had four, but I'll settle for two."
A Charlotte, N.C. native, Henderson has played well against NC State, grabbing 14 tackles in the Wake Forest come-from-behind 27-23 upset win in Raleigh last season.
"I'm not sure what it is," he said. "I try to play like that every game."
Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson attributed Henderson's play to growing confidence.
"Amari played really well. He played confident," Clawson said. "He felt confident to sit on routes. Sometimes when a corner's not confident, they'll get out of their pedal quickly, flip their hips quickly. To me, Amari played confident. He felt like he could run with them and he sat on some routes. He made some great plays and almost had another one or two more."
Henderson now has seven interceptions and 40 PBUs in his Wake Forest career.
"I got in one of my zones," he said. "When that happens, my confidence just goes through the roof. I feel like I can play, set my feet and just trust my instincts."
With the win over the Wolfpack, the Deacs claimed their first win following a regular-season off week in the Clawson era. A fast start was vital, Henderson said.
"We're trying to keep the momentum," Henderson said. "It was an emphasis this week. We were coming off a bye week, and we didn't do so well in those circumstances earlier this season. We came out flat. We wanted to start fast and punch them in the mouth and then finish.
"All three phases of the team executed, and that's offense, special teams and defense. Everybody was on one accord today. When that happens, you get the outcome you want. I still feel like we left some plays on the field."
The Wake Forest defense lost junior starting rover Luke Masterson and senior linebacker Justin Strnad to season-ending injuries in back-to-back games in mid-October, but were able to put together its best game of the season against the Wolfpack.
"You have to give credit to the coaching staff for working with us to develop depth," Henderson said. "That comes from working hard and making sure everyone involved knows their job. That's a credit to the coaching staff. As players, you have to put it upon yourself to not practice as a second or third-string, but practice like you are a one. Anything can happen, and you might have to be the next man up."
Even after two interceptions, NC State still threw balls Henderson's way late in the game.
"They were still throwing at me," he said with a smile. "It's just another opportunity for me to make a play on the ball, so I loved it."
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