TRANSCRIPT: TreVeyon Henderson's First Press Conference with Patriots Media

Here’s what TreVeyon Henderson had to say after being drafted Friday night. Portions of the beginning were omitted as the broadcast was joined in progress:

” … Other than that, honestly, I had no clue that New England was going to be the spot. It was definitely a surprise for me.”

On the fact his head coach is an Ohio State alumni and if that excites him:

“Oh, yeah, most definitely. I think I watched a video, he’s trying to rebuild the culture there. And so, man, I’m excited. I’m excited to be a part of what he’s looking to accomplish.”

On for those who don’t know him, how he would describe his game:

“I’d say I’m fast, I’m explosive, I’m good in one-on-one matchups. My receiving ability, my blocking, I pretty much can do it all.”

On if he’s familiar with Drake Maye at all, his style of play, and his level of excitement to get in here and play with him as his quarterback:

“Yeah, I’m familiar with him. Great player. I’m excited to play alongside him. I can’t wait to get started to get there and get started, get to work with him.”

On how his experience the last four years at Ohio State prepared him for this opportunity, he had some ups and downs, but how did that experience prepare him to play in the NFL:

“Yeah, man, I’m thankful. I heard a lot from the players in the past who played in the past. Who played their NFL careers, how they said ‘Ohio State did a good job of preparing them for what’s next.’ And so all the meetings, pretty much this whole draft process, I can say Ohio State prepared me for that. And I’m believing what they put us through will prepare me, have prepared me for when I take those steps and get there, to New England.”

On how how familiar are you with Josh McDaniels and how he uses running backs within his offense:

“Yeah, I’m not too familiar with it, but I’m looking. I’m excited to learn, to get coached by him. And so, yeah, I’m excited. I’m just excited to learn and grow.”

On how well we’ve seen him take care of the football and how important that is for him as a player:

“Very important. That’s something we did almost every week at Ohio State. I know we put the ball on the ground, it’s a high possibility you’re coming out, and you’re probably not playing again. And so that encouraged me a lot to hold on to the ball because it can cause a team, especially in those big matchup games. And so that’s something that I’m looking forward to carrying on to the next level as well, just holding on to the ball.”

On his trophy security after his little fumble with J.D. Vance and if he can promise Patriots fans that won’t happen:

“I can’t make a promise, but I’ll just say I’m going to give it everything that I got to hold on to that ball.”

On the fact he said he had his Zoom call with coach Dews, and if there was no contact at the Combine, no pro day, and if he’s ever talked with coach Vrabel:

“No, I don’t recall having a meeting with them. Yeah, no, it was honestly a surprise. It was a surprise for sure.”

On how much he knows about running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson and what his thoughts are about joining that room:

“Yeah, I’m excited to really learn from those guys. Man, I’m excited to be part of that room. And yeah, looking to build and grow with those guys. I’m looking forward to that.”

On the fact it’s normally a little bit of a transition to pick up pass protection schemes but he seems really good at it, and how he got to be that good at it at this stage of his career:

“Yeah, getting developed at Ohio State, the coaches there, and just competing against some of the best players every day in practice helped me out a lot. And so that’s something I continue to look to work at and bring on to the league. I know that’s very important as a running back. And so that’s something that I got to definitely continue to work at and making sure I’m staying on top of.”

On the Zoom meeting, when that was and what he remembers about it:

“I don’t remember when. It was more so … I believe it was early on after the combine, I believe. And so it was more so just getting to know your background, seeing how well do you know ball? How fast can you pick up the system? And I believe I did a pretty good job. If I did a bad job, I don’t know if they would have picked me. So, yeah, I think I did a good job.”

On if he can take us through the moment when he got the call and who was with him and his reaction when he got the call:

“Yeah, I was with my mom and dad, my grandma, both of my grandmothers, and my brother on the couch. When I got that call, it was crazy. I didn’t even know who had the pick at the time as well because I forgot what was on the TV at the time. And so when I was getting a call, I was shocked. I was definitely shocked. Yeah, it’s exciting. I prayed on this. There’s been a lot of sacrifices, a lot of hard work. And so I’m just thankful that God has put me in this position, and that he’s leading me to New England. I know it’s for a great reason.”

On if coach Vrabel had a message for him when he was picked:

“Yeah. Honestly, I’m not going to lie to you. The moment went by so fast. I barely remember too much. I was so excited. It was going by so fast. Yeah, there was just so much emotion. I barely remember.”

On his mother being his motivation and if he could tell us a little bit about why she inspires him so much:

“Yeah, she inspires me a lot. Definitely when I was younger, seeing all the sacrifices, everything that she had to sacrifice to help provide for me and my other two brothers. She worked really hard. When times got tough, she didn’t give up. And so that was more so my encouragement. When I first got to Ohio State, when times got tough, just seeing everything that she went through and her not giving up and encouraged me when times got tough to not give up. So, yeah, I’m thankful.”

On what excites him the most about this particular opportunity and his initial thoughts on what this team is and what he can bring:

“What excites me the most is just being part of the culture. I’m just excited to learn about the culture, to learn about what they’re trying to do there. And I believe they’re trying to compete for a Super Bowl. And so I’m just excited to come there. And I know God is leading me there for a reason. And so I’m just walking by faith. And I don’t understand it all now, but eventually I will. Eventually, I will. So, yeah, I’m honestly just excited.”

And how he feels his run with Ohio State prepared him for playoff type football and what he learned about what it takes to win in those situations:

“Yeah, I think the biggest thing is just… At Ohio State, we talk about the brotherhood, and last year, the brotherhood was really special. When times got tough, we stayed together. I believe a big part of that is because of our faith in Jesus. And so that’s the most important thing. We have to be willing to love each other, to fight for each other, to be all bought in, and have the same goal in mind. And yeah, I’m just excited. However I can be part of that, however I can learn, however I can grow, that’s what I’m willing to do. Willing to help the team however I can.”

“Thank you. ”

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This transcript was done based on the available footage and is subject to typographical errors. If you spot anything, please let me know in the comments below.)

About Ian Logue

Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.

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