C.J. Henderson

C.J. Henderson Bio

Christopher “C. J.” Henderson, Jr. is an American professional football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators and was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars ninth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Henderson has built a reputation as a physical cornerback who excels in press coverage and has shown consistency as a turnover creator throughout his career.

Early Life and Background

Henderson was born and grew up in Miami, Florida, where he attended Christopher Columbus High School. While playing for the Explorers football team, he showcased his versatility by lining up at both running back and cornerback. His standout performances earned him an invitation to play in the All-America Bowl as a senior.

Henderson was ranked as a four-star prospect coming out of high school. He initially committed to play at the University of Miami before de-committing to evaluate other offers. He ultimately decided to sign a letter of intent to continue his football career at the University of Florida.

Path to American Football

At the University of Florida, Henderson immediately made an impact as a true freshman. He appeared in 11 games with five starts and made 22 tackles while recording four interceptions. He became the first freshman in Florida football history to return an interception for a touchdown in back-to-back games, accomplishing this feat against Michigan and Tennessee in his first two career games.

As a sophomore, Henderson took on a larger role as a full-time starter. He recorded 38 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles while adding two interceptions and a team-high seven passes defended. His performance earned him second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors from the league’s coaches. His junior season was his most decorated, as he was named first-team All-SEC by the coaches and second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America despite missing four games due to injury. He finished that season with 33 tackles, a sack, and 11 passes broken up in nine games.

C.J. Henderson Career

Jacksonville Jaguars (2020–2021)

Henderson was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round with the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on July 16, 2020, worth a fully guaranteed $20.5 million. Henderson made his NFL debut in the season opener on September 13, 2020, against the Indianapolis Colts. He started the game and recorded five tackles, his first career interception picking off a pass from Philip Rivers and returning it for 22 yards, and he defended three passes. His performance included breaking up a pass on fourth down late in the fourth quarter to secure a 27-20 Jaguars victory. He was named Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for his efforts. Henderson was placed on injured reserve on November 19, 2020, with a groin injury, ending his rookie season.

In October 2020, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the training center at Christopher Columbus High School was dedicated in the Henderson Family name due to his generous contribution to the redesign of the facility.

Carolina Panthers (2021–2023)

On September 27, 2021, Henderson was traded to the Carolina Panthers with a 2022 fifth-round pick in exchange for tight end Dan Arnold and a 2022 third-round pick. In the 2021 season, he appeared in 12 games and started seven. The following year in 2022, Henderson started in ten games and appeared in all 17. He finished that season with 58 total tackles, two interceptions, six passes defended, and one forced fumble.

Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)

On March 21, 2024, Henderson signed with the Houston Texans. He was released on August 27, 2024, before the regular season began. On September 25, 2024, he was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. He was later signed to the active roster on October 21, 2024.

Atlanta Falcons Era (2025–Present)

On August 14, 2025, Henderson signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He was released during final roster cuts on August 26 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. Henderson was released by Atlanta on September 22. He was re-signed to the practice squad on November 13 and was promoted to the active roster on December 20, where he finished the season as a rotational cornerback.

Notable Events and Milestones

Throughout his career, Henderson has demonstrated a consistent ability to create turnovers. His career NFL statistics include 185 tackles, 19 pass deflections, 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery. His performance in college at Florida positioned him as one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC during his tenure.

C.J. Henderson Career Highlights

Henderson’s collegiate and professional career has been marked by several notable achievements and consistent production at the cornerback position.

College Career Highlights

At Florida, Henderson established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC. He earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2019 after recording 33 tackles, a sack, and 11 passes broken up despite missing four games. He was also named a second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America that season. Henderson previously earned second-team All-SEC recognition in both 2017 and 2018. His 2018 campaign was particularly impressive as his first full season as a starter, producing 38 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles alongside two interceptions. He finished his collegiate career with 93 tackles, 26 passes broken up, and six interceptions in 33 games played.

NFL Career Statistics

Through his first several NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Atlanta Falcons, Henderson has accumulated 185 career tackles, 19 pass deflections, 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery.

Family

Family Background

Henderson’s family maintains close ties to Christopher Columbus High School. During his rookie NFL season in 2020, the school dedicated their newly redesigned training center in the Henderson Family name following his generous contribution to the facility renovation project.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked Henderson’s first full season with the Atlanta Falcons organization. After joining the team in August, he navigated a challenging roster transition that included multiple moves between the practice squad and active roster. His perseverance through this process demonstrated his commitment to continuing his NFL career. Henderson appeared in games during the latter portion of the season after earning his promotion to the active roster in December.

The Falcons coaching staff evaluated Henderson throughout offseason activities, training camp, and the preseason to determine his role within the defensive scheme. As a cornerback with several seasons of NFL experience, Henderson brought valuable depth and versatility to Atlanta’s secondary. His performance during the 2025 season positioned him for an opportunity to compete for a more significant role in the Falcons’ defense heading into the 2026 season.