TreVeyon Henderson among finalists for Pepsi rookie of the year

Patriots working again TreVeyon Henderson is one in every of six finalists for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Yr award, the NFL introduced Tuesday.

A fan vote will decide the winner. Followers can vote by means of Jan. thirtieth. Henderson is one in every of two working backs up for the award, which incorporates each offensive and defensive gamers.

Henderson joins the next gamers on the poll: Giants quarterback Jaxon Dart, Raiders working again Ashton Jeanty, Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan, Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, and Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.

Henderson has hit his stride lately after a sluggish begin. He didn’t prime 30 yards in a sport till the Patriots’ win in opposition to the Browns on Oct. 26. He had only one landing over the primary 9 weeks of the season.

Nevertheless, a pair of breakout performances in opposition to the Bucanneers and Payments helped kickstart Henderson’s rookie of the yr candidacy because the speedy again finally put collectively a powerful rookie marketing campaign.

Henderson’s 5.1 yards per carry was the very best common amongst rookies this season. He totaled 1,132 yards from scrimmage, which was second amongst rookies. He’s one in every of three rookies in league historical past with 4 or extra touchdowns of 50-plus yards.

Henderson additionally scored 9 speeding touchdowns and pitched in 221 receiving yards. He fumbled as soon as all season. He performed in all 17 video games.

The Patriots are the one playoff staff to have a rookie of the yr finalist this yr.

New England will face the 2023 Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Yr award winner, Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud, this weekend within the divisional-round at Gillette Stadium. Washington’s Jayden Daniels gained the award final yr.

The final time a working again gained the award was in 2018, when Saquon Barkley took residence the honors.

If he wins, Henderson can be the primary Patriots participant to win the Pepsi fan vote for rookie of the yr. The final Patriots participant to win an Related Press NFL Rookie of the Yr award was former coach Jerod Mayo in 2008.

Khari A. Thompson

Sports activities Reporter

Khari Thompson covers skilled sports activities for Boston.com. Earlier than becoming a member of the staff in 2022, Khari coated faculty soccer for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.