Former Jaguars DL John Henderson Named to Tennessee Volunteers Hall of Fame

The former Jaguars great has become a Tennessee Volunteer legend.

One of the best defensive linemen in Jacksonville Jaguars history has earned an important honor, with former Jaguars defensive tackle John Henderson has been named to the University of Tennessee's athletics hall of fame.

"A dominant interior defender and Nashville native, John Henderson earned back-to-back first-team All-America honors his junior and senior seasons by exploding off the defensive line. In 2000 - a year Tennessee set a school record for fewest rushing yards allowed with 817 - he won the Outland Trophy, was a Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist and received SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors," the university said in a release. 

"That season, Henderson tallied 64 tackles, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and 12 sacks, which at the time ranked third in UT single-season history. He was an Outland Trophy finalist and a Lombardi Award semifinalist in 2001 despite a lingering ankle injury as he helped lead the Vols to the SEC Eastern Division title. He capped his career, earning Defensive MVP honors with six tackles in a 45-17 victory over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. A two-time first-team All-SEC recipient, Henderson finished his career with 162 total tackles and 20.5 sacks, which still ranks seventh in UT annals. Henderson was selected with the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played 10 total NFL seasons and was a two-time Pro Bowler."

According to the school, this year's Hall of Fame weekend will take place April 26-27, with the induction ceremony set for April 26.

Henderson anchored the Jaguars's defense alongside Marcus Stroud for the early 2000s. In 2019, Henderson was ranked as the 10th-best player in franchise history. 

"He was the other half of that defensive tackle combination. In 2007, Henderson was unblockable. It was arguably the best performance by a defensive lineman in Jaguars history," Vic Ketchman wrote.

Henderson spent eight seasons in Jacksonville after the Jaguars took him with the No. 9 overall pick in 2002. He played in 124 games for the Jaguars, starting 120 and recording 426 tackles, 58 tackles for loss, 29 sacks, and eight forced fumbles.