COLLEGE PARK - Ten months ago, Maryland middle linebacker E.J. Henderson announced he would return for his senior season, saying he liked being on campus and that he wanted to take care of unfinished business - like beating Florida State.
The news elicited groans from football coaches like Clemson's Tommy Bowden, whose Tigers face the Terrapins on Saturday night.
"I wish he wouldn't have stayed - he was close to coming out after last year," Bowden said recently, talking about last year's Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year. "He's a good player and a potential first-round draft pick. He plays like one."
More than anything, Henderson returned to prove he's at least where he was a year ago, before a back injury put his talents under scrutiny again for the NFL.
Despite his ability, entering the draft last year might not have been his best move. Even without the injury, there were questions about his speed and pass defense.
The Senior Bowl, the best proving ground for prospects, wasn't an option because he was a junior. And he probably would have missed the NFL combine because he was mending from back surgery.
"That would have pushed him into the second or third round," said Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Joel Buchsbaum, who, like many, has Henderson atop his list of senior linebackers. "It would have been a crapshoot. With a back injury, it's a red flag until you know he's healthy."
Ten games into the 2002 season, Henderson, 22, seems every bit the gold standard of the league's linebackers that he was last year when he was named a first-team All-American and a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker.
Although the Terps were routed by Florida State and Henderson won't approach the school-record 28 tackles for loss (TFL) he recorded last year, his 12.5 TFLs lead Maryland, and his 82 solo tackles are second only to North Carolina defensive back Dexter Reid in the ACC.
"Each week, he's gotten stronger and stronger and he's gained confidence by playing," said Maryland's inside linebackers coach, Rod Sharpless. "Is he as healthy as he was last year? No. But anytime you undergo surgery, you're not going to be 100 percent. He's productive, effective - doing all the things you need to do to be successful."
During the Terrapins' 24-21 victory over North Carolina State last weekend, Henderson had 16 total tackles, equaling his season high against Notre Dame in the season opener.
He has reached double digits in tackles in seven of 10 games for the Terps (8-2), and has forced two fumbles.
"Personally, I think they [scouts] see that it's not a factor," Henderson said of his back. "They see how I was playing, that I can play without any problems. If it's a question of durability, it's not a question anymore."
John Dorsey, a scout with the Green Bay Packers, said: "He's picked up exactly as he left off. It's too early to say where he lies in the draft, but he's the [No.] 1 or 2 inside linebacker in this draft. I think it's fair to say that."
Observers like Henderson's size. At 6 feet 2, 250 pounds, he looks like what an NFL middle linebacker should look like.
He's not the fastest guy, and punter Brooks Barnard bench-presses more than Henderson's 375. But he exceeds those limitations - his 411 career tackles have told the story at Maryland more than his 4.8-second time in the 40-yard dash.
"He has awareness, anticipates well, knows how to read defenses - he has an understanding of the position, and that makes up for his straight-line speed," said Matt Gambill of All-Pro Scouting Services in Metarie, La. "He knows where the play is going, and before it goes there."
"If E.J. can improve, you can have a Ray Lewis-type of guy. There's not going to be another Ray Lewis, but if you want to compare the two, he [Henderson] has the size, the style of play and similar attributes."
Henderson's surgery, to remove bone spurs in his back, happened in early April and was supposed to keep him out until September. He was back for the beginning of practice in early August, and after a week, he was begging to participate in full-contact drills.
"In toughness, he rates high in that category," said former Dallas Cowboys player personnel director Gil Brandt. "He's a tremendous competitor and he's shown tremendous production."
That said, Gambill wondered if there was a tentativeness that had crept into Henderson's play because of the back.
Henderson, too, said that he might not be as formidable as he was last year.
"Hmm. I really don't know," he said, comparing his performance last year to this year. "I don't feel as dominant as I was last year. Haven't had as many TFLs this year."
Once considered a possible top-10 pick for the 2002 draft, he's looking like a mid-first to early second-round choice for 2003.
His physical exams at the April combine will play a major role. "He'll be a player who is thoroughly checked out," Brandt said, "but if they felt there were any problems, they wouldn't let him play."
Henderson's draft position also could be influenced if juniors such as Terry Pierce of Kansas State and Karlos Dansby of Auburn enter.
Brandt sees possibilities for Henderson as an outside linebacker in addition to inside; others wonder if he can be a complete middle linebacker.
"Will he be a two-down run-stopper," Gambill asked, "or can he show he can be on the field all three plays of a series?"
Those questions stem from Henderson's lack of pure speed and perceived difficulty in changing direction and dropping into coverage. He might improve in those areas with time, but they usually aren't issues with top-10 picks.
"It could be because of the way he's used," Buchsbaum said, "or it could be that he's used that way because it's what he does best."
With North Carolina State using numerous underneath routes, Henderson dropped into pass coverage more than usual.
Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen says Henderson played well enough in that role.
"It was a big game for E.J., because he did a lot in going back and stopping the passes they kept doing on us underneath," said Friedgen, who had told Henderson it would be a game where his pass coverage skills would be examined. "He took the challenge and handled it well."
Top of class
Gil Brandt, former Dallas Cowboys player personnel director and current draft analyst for NFL.com, rates the nation's top senior linebackers:
No. Name, School Ht. Wt.
1. E.J. Henderson, 6-2 250
Maryland
2. Mario Haggan, 6-3 253
Mississippi State
3. Clifton Smith, 6-3 263
Syracuse
4. Bradie James, 6-2 248
5. Gerald Hayes, 6-3 245
Pittsburgh
Next for Terps
Matchup:No. 19 Maryland (8-2, 4-1) vs. Clemson (6-4, 4-3)
Site:Clemson Memorial Stadium, Clemson, S.C.
When:Saturday, 7:45 p.m.
TV/Radio:ESPN2/WBAL (1090 AM)
Line:Maryland by 4 1/2