New Michigan football transfer is not backing down from competition

When LaDarius Henderson first committed to the Wolverines, there was nothing guaranteed for him in regards to a starting role. Through three weeks of the 2023 season, the four-year Arizona State Sun Devil is yet to see a start for the Maize and Blue; however, this weekend, that may change. Regardless, Henderson knows that there is no such thing as a free lunch — so far, the new Michigan football transfer has been embracing competition.

New Michigan football transfer is taking competition head on

LaDarius Henderson is a player that many fans believed would start before the season. That said, we have yet to see him take the field as a starter on the offensive line through three games, but that does not mean that it won’t happen. After coming off of an injury, Henderson hit the transfer portal, moving from Arizona State to Michigan football over the 2023 offseason. While he was not able to compete in spring ball, Henderson is finally back to playing ball and is embracing the competition in Ann Arbor.

“Coming to Michigan has been awesome; it’s a program with so much promise and so much potential,” the new Michigan football transfer said on Tuesday. “Being able to attack the day with like-minded guys every single day on the same mission and goal has been phenomenal. I love it here.

“I obviously could have gone many places where it (a starting role) was just handed,” he continued. “In the recruiting process, we talked about competing for it. I 100% knew that was a possibility. I feel like, as a player, you can never be afraid of competition. If you are, then you might need to take a look down within yourself. So I wouldn’t be ready for the NFL in the future, or life, if I was afraid of competition.”

After years with Arizona State, LaDarius Henderson is glad to be back at left tackle for the Wolverines

For the past few years, Henderson has been at guard; however, right now, Michigan football has him playing left tackle. According to the ex-Sun Devil turned Wolverine, that is exactly what he wants.

“When I was playing left tackle as a true freshman, I never wanted to stop playing left tackle,” Henderson said. “It was just circumstance, situation of what we (Arizona State) had at the time. I did excel at guard, but I wanted to go back. Everybody wants to play left tackle … So I came here (Michigan) knowing that, and it’s been fun. It’s been good.”

So, is LaDarius Henderson going to get his first start this weekend? The question was asked, but Henderson knows better than to give Rutgers any pre-game tips.

“You guys gotta wait for Saturday for that one,” the new Michigan football transfer explained. “You gotta wait for Saturday. You gotta wait. I’m not helping Rutgers out at all.”

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