Players like Henderson are invaluable for the Spartans this season, as the team embarks on a truncated eight-game schedule with a new coaching regime in place. Those words from Williams still stick with Henderson to this day and, after losing eight starters on defense, will hold even more weight this season.

"I've been here for a while," Henderson said. "But I also feel like it's gone by so fast and having (myself as a veteran presence), especially with the new coaches, is definitely important. I felt like I was that guy, especially from playing last year and having that experience...and kind of taking it in from all the older guys I played with like David Dowell and Khari Willis...It's been good to see their leadership and kind of get a feel for how you're supposed to lead a team. That's something I want to do this year for sure."

Henderson has liked what he's seen so far from the Spartan defense. He cited the high level of competition and freshman cornerback Angelo Grose's play as to what has stood out the most to him.

After impressing in his freshman campaign, Henderson solidified himself as a starter last season. What he learned as a full-time starter in 2019 will help him guide the younger players through their journey in the uncharted territory of a coronavirus-shortened season.

"At the beginning of (last) season we had our non-conference schedule, and I went through those games and felt good," Henderson said. "But then we got to the Big Ten schedule and it was a totally different animal. Just getting that competition and playing teams like Wisconsin and Ohio State, it was crazy...towards the end of the season I felt like I was clicking for sure. I felt like it was our secondary, and my secondary, to take control of and kind of lead these guys."

Cornerbacks Coach Harlon Barnett and Safeties Coach Mike Tressel have been emphasizing good communication on defense, and Henderson said that has been the biggest improvement from last year to this year. Barnett is back at Michigan State after serving as Florida State's defensive coordinator the past two seasons. Between the familiarity with Tressel and a respected leader in Barnett returning to campus, Henderson is confident in who is guiding the secondary.

Tressel is the one who recruited Henderson but, when Henderson enrolled early at MSU, it was Barnett who did a lot of work with him before he left. Henderson desperately wanted to play for Barnett and was disappointed to see him go. Once Barnett broke the news that he was leaving for Florida State, he left the door open for a possible return.

"(Barnett) had told me and Kalon Gervin, 'This isn't goodbye, it's see you later,'" Henderson said. "And I was like, 'whatever coach,' but he ended up coming back so it's funny how things work. So it's been real good having both great coaches in our ear. Both (Tressel and Barnett) were defensive coordinators, so it's been real good."

It's been a rocky offseason for Henderson and the team, to say the least. COVID-19 is still out there and looming large over the upcoming season. To help deal with all the uncertainty, Henderson is leaning on what his high school coach always told him.

"If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready."