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Coveted 4-star RB Alvin Henderson sets official visit to Penn State

hunterby: Hunter Shelton03/22/24HunterShelton_
auburn-makes-push-for-elite-2025-rb-alvin-henderson
Photo by Jeremy Johnson/On3

Commitment time looks to be on the horizon of Elba (Ala.) four-star running back Alvin Henderson. Last week, he announced that he was down to five schools, with Auburn, Penn State, Miami, Florida State and Oregon all making the cut.

A decision looked like it would come in the summer for Henderson, but he told Auburn Live earlier this month that he was now eyeing an April commitment. Regardless, he’s beginning to lock in dates for official visits.

On Friday, he announced via social media that he’ll head up to Happy Valley for an OV to Penn State from May 31-June 2. It’s set to be his first visit with the Nittany Lions.

Earlier this month, Henderson joined On3’s Phillip Dukes to detail his interest in the top contenders in his recruitment. Relationships with the Penn State coaching staff have the Big Ten program firmly in the mix for his pledge.

“Coach (James) Franklin, Coach (Ja’Juan) Seider, I think Penn State was my sixth offer, they’ve been in contact ever since Sept. 1. They’ve been recruiting me hard this whole process. When I think about Penn State, I’m talking to Coach Seider every day, he came down to watch me hoop twice, the assistant running backs coach came down … they both made instant relationships, the first impression with my mom was ‘I really like those coaches.’ Besides the coaching staff building a relationship with me and my family, the production that Coach Seider has had over these last few years,” Henderson said.

…Penn State’s not close to home, it’s a while away. For them to be traveling down three times to watch me play in two weeks, then the coaches are always contacting me, that rang a bell for me to know that I for sure got to get up there and see what they have to offer before I make any type of decision.”

Penn State already has pledges from a pair of RBs in the 2025 cycle in Beebe (Ark.) Miami Central three-star Kiandrea Barker and Aliquippa (Pa.) three-star Tiqwai Hayes. Pulling Henderson out of the south will be a challenge, but the Nittany Lions certainly have a chance to pull off the major recruiting win.

Henderson is the No. 110 overall prospect and No. 7 RB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 10 player in Alabama.

Penn State Class Breakdown

In the 2025 cycle, the Nittany Lions already have 11 commits — the second most in the nation, behind only Notre Dame. Franklin and his staff continue to make hay recruiting in Pennsylvania and the Northeast.

The linebacker room is set to be stacked in Happy Valley. The three highest-ranked commits in the fold for PSU are all LBs. Jersey City (N.J.) Henry Snyder four-star DJ McClary headlines as a top-150 overall prospect.

McClary is flanked by Latrobe (Pa.) Greater four-star Alex Tatsch and Pittsburgh Imani Christian four-star Dayshaun Burnett. Tatsch was one of the biggest risers in the latest 2025 On300 rankings, as he jumped all the way to No. 52 overall.

Pittsburgh North Catholic four-star tight end Brady O’Hara is a top-25 player at his position. Barker and Hayes provide some firepower in the backfield.

Other top commits include Canonsburg (Pa.) Central Catholic three-star cornerback Xxavier Thomas, Boulder (Colo.) Fairview three-star quarterback Bekkem Kritza and Avon (Conn.) Old Farms three-star offensive tackle Owen Aliciene.