Patriots' Newcomer, TreVeyon Henderson, Scores Touchdown on First Kickoff Return in Preseason Debut
New England Patriots Rookie TreVeyon Henderson Shines in Preseason Opener
In a thrilling preseason opener at Gillette Stadium, rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson electrified fans with his electric performance for the New England Patriots. The Ohio State alumnus, drafted in the second round (38th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, made an immediate impact in his professional debut.
Henderson's first NFL game started with a bang as he returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. His burst of speed and agility was on full display as he avoided the kicker on his way to the end zone, sparking excitement among the home crowd.
The 5-foot-10, 202-pound back had additional strong plays in the first quarter, including an 18-yard run and a 9-yard reception on a screen pass in the red zone. Henderson's ability to find the running lane and rely on his team's blocks was evident throughout the game, as he made one more would-be tackler miss after hitting a big hole opened by the line.
Patriots' head coach Mike Vrabel praised Henderson's playmaking skills, likening him to a "lightning bolt." Henderson's teammates also sang his praises, acknowledging his exceptional talent. The rookie running back, however, gave credit to God and his teammates for his performance.
Beyond his contributions on special teams, Henderson has demonstrated versatility as a running back during training camp and preseason activities. He is expected to be an important piece of the New England offense in 2025, providing quarterback Drake Maye with a pass-catching rusher out of the backfield.
Maye expressed excitement about the potential impact of the special teams unit this season, praising Henderson's performance in the preseason opener. The Patriots won the game 48-18, with Henderson's touchdown kickoff return contributing significantly to the team's early lead.
TreVeyon Henderson enjoyed a successful college career at Ohio State, where he won a national title in 2024 and had a four-year career, rushing for 3,761 yards and 42 touchdowns, and finishing with 853 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions over 47 games. He never returned a kickoff for a touchdown at the college level, making his opening touchdown return in the NFL all the more impressive.
Henderson has been a part of the WBZ sports team for nearly 20 years, with Matthew Geagan serving as the sports producer for their Boston division. The rookie running back expressed gratitude for being in his current position with the New England Patriots and expressed excitement about the opportunity to contribute to the team's success in the 2025 season.
[1] [Source for Henderson's college statistics] [2] [Source for Henderson's touchdown return and coach's praise] [4] [Source for Henderson's agility and speed] [5] [Source for Henderson's versatility as a running back]
- TreVeyon Henderson's NFL career debut in the sports of American football, specifically football, showcased his remarkable speed and agility, as he scored a touchdown on the opening kickoff in the preseason opener of the New England Patriots.
- The versatility of TreVeyon Henderson, a second-round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, was on display during the Patriots' preseason opener, not only on special teams but also as a running back, providing Drake Maye with a potent pass-catching option.
- In his post-game analysis, sports commentators highlighted TreVeyon Henderson's electric performance in the preseason opener of the New England Patriots, comparing his playmaking skills to a "lightning bolt," a fitting description for the dynamic Ohio State alumnus.
