Brad Henson, Jr. has been starting on Monsignor Donovan’s (Toms River, N.J.) varsity football squad since his freshman year. Now a senior and only a year away from being a student-athlete at the University of Virginia, the 6’5″, 275-pound offensive lineman reflected a bit on his high school career.

“It is kind of surreal, my senior season being here so fast,” Henson said. “But I’m ready for it. I’m cherishing this time. I’m also ready to take the next step after this season is over.”

Henson says he has gained 50 pounds since his freshman year, so certainly he has grown physically over the course of the past four years. Leadership, though, is one of the areas of growth in which he is most proud.

“It has been a lot of work. I’ve gone from my freshman year, not knowing what I’m doing, and I’ve grown into being more of a leader in my senior year,” Henson said. “I’ve taken charge, and I’m out there motivating other guys. I’ve grown as a leader.”

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