FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Former Northern Arizona football player Alex Henderson has spent a lifetime dreaming of playing football in the NFL. He might have taken a huge step towards that dream in 4.40 seconds on Thursday.

Henderson ran a 4.40 40-yard dash into the wind Thursday at the South Recreation Fields on the campus of NAU at Northern Arizona's annual pro day. He was among 12 players from NAU and other selected schools working out in front of a professional scout from the NFL.

Henderson, who is from Calabasas, Calif., joined former teammates Ed Berry, Anthony Evans, Ryne Holstrom, Raphael Mack, Conrad Meadows, Matt Steinbach and Stevon Thomas in the combine drills.

“I feel pretty good,” said Henderson, who graduated in December of 2009 with a degree in criminal justice. “I could have performed a lot better but I was pretty satisfied with my numbers with the conditions.”

Henderson clocked a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash, a 4.28 in the shuttle, posted a 37.5-inch vertical and a 9-9.5 standing long jump and recorded 19 reps of 225 pounds in the bench. Henderson has been training in New Jersey at the Parisi Speed School, a facility that has sent more than 125 athletes to the NFL.

“Alex did a great job,” said assistant coach Francis St. Paul, who played in the NFL. “I think he showed how explosive he can be and we knew how fast he is.”

He plans on working on football drills in California, while staying in shape prior to the NFL Draft to be held April 22-24.

Henderson finished his career as one of the top running backs in school history, ranking second in school history with 3,274 career rushing yards and second in rushing attempts with 636. He was a three-time All-Big Sky selection, earning All-Big Sky first-team honors in 2009.

Alex Henderson's Bio