Football’s Henderson Signs as Free Agent with the St. Louis Rams

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Former Northern Arizona running back Alex Henderson signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams Saturday and will begin his professional career next weekend at the team’s minicamp. Henderson is the ninth NAU player since 2002 to sign with an NFL team as a free agent.

Henderson, who graduated in December, finished his career as one of the top running backs in school history, ranking second in school history with 3,462 career rushing yards and second in rushing attempts with 677. He was a three-time All-Big Sky selection, earning All-Big Sky first-team honors in 2009

Henderson, who is from Calabasas, Calif., ranked as the 36th-best running back prospect by NFLdraftscout.com and was listed among "10 real no-names I’m high on" according to Peter Schrager of Foxsports.com.

Since 2002, eight NAU other players have signed free agent contracts with NFL teams highlighted Keith O’Neil with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003. O’Neil played five seasons in the NFL and was a member of the Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl champion team in 2007. K.J. Gerard is the only current former player in the league after signing with the Baltimore Ravens last season. Gerard played in three games last season after spending some time on the practice squad. Former kicker Robbie Dehaze recently signed with Toronto in the CFL.

NAU Free Agent Signees Since 2000

Preston Parsons, Arizona Cardinals, 2002

Robert Haws, Arizona Cardinals, 2002

Keith O’Neil, Dallas Cowboys, 2003

Mark Gould, New York Giants, 2004

Jeremy Thornburg, Philadelphia Eagles, 2005

Roger Robinson, Arizona Cardinal, 2005

K.J. Gerard, Baltimore Ravens, 2009

Robbie Dehaze, Atlanta Falcons, 2009

Alex Henderson, St. Louis Rams, 2010