Florida CB CJ Henderson will skip bowl game, declare for 2020 NFL Draft

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After three years playing for the Florida Gators, star cornerback CJ Henderson has decided to forgo his final season of eligibility and declare for the 2020 NFL Draft. Henderson also announced that he will not play in Florida’s upcoming bowl game.

“My time as a Gator has been a dream come true, and I am truly blessed to be in this position,” Henderson explained in a Twitter announcement. “… The best part about being a Gator is that they will be there for me the rest of my life. … I will miss that feeling of running out of The Swamp on Saturday to 90,000 strong, but I know the Gator Nation is behind me.

“After much prayer and consideration, I will be foregoing my senior season and declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft and I will not be playing in the bowl game. I am excited to be one step closer to turning my lifelong dream into reality. Go Gators!”

Henderson did not register an interception this season but notched a career-high 11 pass defenses in just nine games as he missed three in the middle of the year due to injury. He has six picks on his career, including four as a true freshman in 2017 when he looked to be a future first-team All-America candidate. It is unlikely Henderson receives that recognition after a 2019 season that included ups, downs and injuries.

Though initially expected to be an early first-round selection, Henderson is still expected to go among the top 32 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.