Former UTSA running back Robert Henry Jr. thought he had played the final game of his college career in 2024, but the NCAA approved a temporary waiver that granted junior college products an extra year of eligibility in 2025.
The waiver applied to players who went the JUCO route before transferring to a Division I program and would have exhausted their eligibility in 2024. It was the result of the NCAA’s appeal of a decision in a court case brought by former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who argued years spent in the JUCO ranks shouldn’t count against NCAA eligibility. A federal appeals panel upheld the decision in October 2025.
Henry decided to run it back with the Roadrunners and ended his college career with a historic season. The first-team All-American Conference pick racked up 1,045 rushing yards, becoming just the third player in UTSA history to crack the 1,000-yard mark on the ground in a season.
Henry graduated from a small high school in Mississippi and was overlooked by many programs, despite scoring 99 career touchdowns.
Now he’s seen as one of the most explosive running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft. Henry racked up seven plays of more than 70 yards last season.
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Robert Henry Jr. NFL Draft Projection
I project running back Robert Henry Jr. will be selected in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, or Buffalo Bills would be good fits. The Eagles have been open about targeting a running back late in the draft, and the Vikings may be looking for an eventual successor to Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.
Robert Henry Jr.’s 40 Time & NFL Combine Results
Robert Henry Jr. ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds, which ranked No. 9 among running backs who competed in that drill at the NFL Combine. His 10 foot, 4 inch broad jump ranked No. 3 among running backs, and his 37-inch vertical leap ranked No. 4 at the position.
Henry’s time of 4.31 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle ranked No. 2 among running backs.
He measured in at 5-foot-9 and weighed 196 pounds at the combine.
Robert Henry Jr.’s Stats & Highlights
Henry burst onto the scene with 177 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in UTSA’s season-opener at Texas A&M last year. He opened the season with four-straight 100-yard rushing performances, including 159 yards and two touchdowns against Texas State and 144 yards against Colorado State.
Henry posted career highs in rushing attempts (151), rushing yards (1,045), and rushing touchdowns (nine) last season.
He also emerged as one of the most explosive players in the country. Henry racked up five rushes of more than 70 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown run against Colorado State. He also turned a short pass into a 74-yard touchdown catch against the Rams.
Henry left the Roadrunners with 2,339 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns (27 rushing) in three seasons. He also caught 58 passes for 428 yards and three touchdowns.
He was named first-team All-AC last season, and he was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the top running back in the country.
Where Is Robert Henry Jr. From?
Robert Henry Jr. is from Lumberton, Mississippi. He played at Lumberton High School, where he racked up 1,961 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground as a senior and ended his high school career with 92 rushing touchdowns.
Robert Henry Jr. Draft Profile & Comparison
My NFL comparison for Robert Henry Jr. is Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams. Both are explosive and elusive enough to break off chunk plays, but their small frames leave coaches to question if they can carry the load as a featured back.
Henry is a threat to score anytime he has the ball in space. He may not be the fastest guy on the field, but he has an explosive first step and enough wiggle to make tacklers miss.
He struggles at times to run between the tackles, and he has a tendency to dance too much in the backfield instead of hitting the hole and getting up field. Henry also lost six fumbles in three seasons at UTSA.
Henry’s age may also be of concern for some scouts. He’ll turn 25 this year, and running backs tend to lose a step after they turn 30.
