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Top Notre Dame target Kaden Henderson scores defensive touchdown in playoff win

Singer headshotby: Mike Singer11/24/25MikeTSinger

Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit class of 2027 linebacker Kaden Henderson is a versatile defender for his Tigers’ squad. Depending on the opponent, he can play on the ball as a pass rusher or line up at safety.

In a second-round playoff game against Naples (Fla.) High this past Friday, Henderson played mostly off the edge, as the Golden Eagles played an old school veer-type offense. But when Naples went spread and lined up in trips, Henderson would play over one of the slot receivers.

Jesuit only led 17-7 at halftime but dominated in the second half, eventually winning the contest 45-7.

“It was great,” Henderson told Blue & Gold after the game ended. “We came out with the win, and that’s all that matters. A couple of times, I messed up, but as a team, we played well overall. And I got that touchdown in the second half. We really picked it up as a team in the second half. We stepped up.”

The touchdown Henderson mentioned gave Jesuit the 45-7 lead late in the fourth quarter. It came on a fumble recovery where Henderson was running down the ball carrier from the back side of the play and looked for an opportunity to make a play.

“I saw that he had the ball in his left hand. My teammate punched the ball, and I helped strip it out,” Henderson said. “I got the ball and started running.”

It was Henderson’s first touchdown in his decorated high school career.

“I was thinking, ‘I just can’t get tackled.’ I was looking back and knew I was good,” he said. “I got to celebrate for the guys.”

Henderson, who ranks as the No. 26 overall prospect and No. 2 linebacker in America according to the 2027 Rivals Industry Ranking, posted 6 tackles, 2 quarterback hurries, and had the 56-yard fumble recovery for a score.

Jesuit ranks as the No. 14 team in Florida and faces Port Charlotte, the No. 43 team in the state, on Friday. Jesuit is predicted to win the contest 45-21 according to the Massey Ratings.

The Tigers are undefeated in the state of Florida, with their one loss coming against Valdosta (Ga.) High earlier in the year. They lost 21-14 in that contest but haven’t allowed more than seven points in a game since.

“We needed that,” Henderson said about the setback against Valdosta. “It helped us overcome a lot.”

Henderson is a top Notre Dame target in the 2027 class. He earned an offer from the Irish in March for Pot of Gold Day and visited for the first time earlier this month to see Notre Dame blow out Navy.

“I loved it, to be honest,” Henderson told Blue & Gold. “There’s no visit I’ve been on like it. It was amazing. I got there, and Myron [Tagovailoa-Amosa] and Jourdan [Blake] took me around the facilities, and they were talking about how they’re getting a new facility. I’m definitely going to go back and see that.

“I liked talking to Coach [Max] Bullough. He said I’m a big priority for them and that I can play off the edge and play off ball linebacker. And Coach [Marcus] Freeman — he came to my school a couple of weeks ago. We got to talk and build our relationship. He says I’m built for Notre Dame — not just from a football aspect but a religious and academic aspect.”