Sports
By Sean McLernon
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November 21, 2002
E.J. Henderson describes his demeanor as relatively quiet. He said he's "not really a run-around type guy" and he prefers to "just chill out." His opponents surely wish this mellow attitude would be a little more evident on the gridiron, where the Maryland senior linebacker makes a regular habit of pounding opposing players into turf with vicious tackles.
So much for "chilling out."
Henderson has flattened opponent after opponent this year, leading the Terrapins in stops (125), sitting in second in the ACC in solo tackles (92), and securing a nomination as a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award, given to the nation's top collegiate defensive player.
"My biggest strength is my instinct in getting to the football and finding the shortest way to get there," Henderson said.
Named a consensus first-team All-American, Henderson also was rated the top linebacker in the nation by The Sporting News and named the National Defensive Player of the Year by Lindy's.