The Pioneer Football League announced its list of major award winners on Monday and Stetson defensive back JJ Henderson was amongst them as he was named its Freshman Defensive Player of the Year for the 2017 season.
 
Henderson earned the award after a brilliant first season with the Hatters which saw him start all 11 games as a defensive back while amassing 71 tackles, including 50 solo, and 2.5 tackles for loss to go along 11 pass breakups. His 71 tackles was 10th most amongst FCS freshman nationwide, while nine of his 11 pass breakups came against fellow PFL foes, including a season-high four against Davidson College on Oct. 14.
 
Henderson, a Tampa native, had a season-high 10 tackles against San Diego on Oct. 28 and nine at Marist College on Sept. 9.
 
While playing brilliantly on defense, Henderson also played a big role as a special teams for the Hatters. He amassed 144 yards in returns and became the first player in Stetson's modern era to return a non-blocked punt for a touchdown when he returned one 81 yards for a score in the game against Davidson.
 
"JJ had a stellar year and is developing into a premier cornerback in the PFL," Stetson head coach Roger Hughes said. "He is very deserving of this recognition and we are looking forward to having him for the next three years."