Auburn achieved a significant in-state flip and secured its highest-rated prospect in the 2025 class when running back Alvin Henderson, ranked No. 55 in the ESPN 300, decommitted from Penn State and verbally committed to the Tigers on Friday.
“#WAREAGLE. I’m staying home,” Henderson announced on Twitter/X.
#WAREAGLE I’m staying home 🏡🦅🥶 https://t.co/ySQi65oXK2
— "𝐀" 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 2️⃣ 𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍 (@AlHenderson_1) June 21, 2024
The four-star running back from Elba, Alabama, had been committed to the Nittany Lions since April 11, and his move follows recent visits to both Auburn and Penn State. With this flip, Henderson becomes the 10th ESPN 300 commit in Hugh Freeze’s second signing class with the Tigers.
Henderson racked up 225 carries for 3,532 yards and a state-record 61 touchdowns last fall. He joins offensive tackles Tavaris Dice (No. 150 in ESPN 300) and Broderick Shull (No. 227) among the top offensive prospects committed to Auburn in this cycle. Five-star quarterback Julian Lewis, the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit who is committed to USC, also took an official visit with the Tigers last weekend.
Henderson’s departure marks a significant blow to James Franklin’s 2025 class. The 5-foot-10 rusher was the highest-ranked prospect headed to Penn State in the upcoming cycle. After Henderson, ESPN 300 commits Brady O’Hara (No. 4 TE-Y) and Lyrick Samuel (No. 33 wide receiver) remain the top offensive recruits set to join the Nittany Lions in 2025.