CRESTVIEW — Football at the University of West Florida took a big step forward Friday and former Crestview High standout Tyler Henderson was part of the historical event.
Henderson along with former Davidson Middle School offensive lineman Blake McCall became the first two players signed by the program. West Florida starts play in the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference in 2016.
Henderson, a 2013 Crestview graduate, originally signed with Florida Atlantic University. He redshirted at FAU in 2013 before returning home to pursue baseball at Northwest Florida State College.
But when UWF offered Henderson the chance to return to the gridiron he knew he couldn’t resist.
“I just couldn’t stay away (from football) too long,” he said. “When the opportunity came up to play close to home, where all my family could come and see me, I couldn’t pass that up.”
Henderson was four-year starter at safety for the Bulldogs and he’s projected to play defensive back for the Argonauts. He’ll have three years of eligibility left when the program starts play.
Henderson is excited about helping lay the foundation of West Florida football.
“That was definitely attractive to me,” he said. “I like to have the opportunity to start tradition there and keep it going. Whatever happens is on our shoulders.
“Whatever we do is going to carry on to the seasons afterwards and I like the idea of that. It’s a great feeling to be able to do that because now I get to help bring in other guys that can fit in the program like I do.”
Henderson was a teammate of McCall’s at Davidson before McCall’s family moved to Escambia County and he’s excited about them again playing together.
West Florida football Coach Pete Shinnick welcomed Henderson and McCall to the program.
“It’s important to us that both of these student-athletes are local here in the 850 area code,” he said in a UWF press release. “We’re looking for young men that will be the best fit for our program from this area. They have to meet the marks that we’re looking for, and both Blake and Tyler do that.”
Henderson said he’s already trying to get more Crestview players to join him in Pensacola at West Florida.
“I’m talking to a few of them already trying to put some people on the defense that can make plays and hit people,” he said.
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Former Bulldog Henderson to play football at UWF