BOCA RATON – To aid FAU’s offensive efforts in the red zone, Trey Hendrickson is turning it up to 11.
Technically, to be more accurate, Conference USA’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year is switching jersey numbers from No. 9 to 11.
He first made the move during Sunday’s game so that his uniform number wouldn’t conflict with Owls’ running back Buddy Howell. Having two players wearing the same number on the field at the same time would result in a penalty.
Wearing No. 11, Hendrickson twice led Howell into the end zone against Charlotte.
On Tuesday Hendrickson said he plans to wear No. 11 the remainder of the season.
“Hopefully it leads to me doing more things on offense,” he said.
His new number holds special meaning to Hendrickson.
Former FAU defensive tackle Trevon Coley, who graduated following last season and participated in training camp with the Baltimore Ravens, wore that number as an Owl. For spring practice Coley’s replacement, Ray Ellis, wore No. 11. A season-ending knee injury to Ellis in the early days of fall camp made No. 11 available again.
Hendrickson didn’t have any great allegiance to the No. 9.
“There’s some significance to 11, though, playing for Ray,” he said. “I was really close with Trevon. It is an honor, in a way, to wear that number, so it’s nice.”
FAU coaches first proposed using Hendrickson on some goal line plays back in the fall. The senior welcomed the challenge then.
Sunday’s game against Charlotte was the first time Hendrickson had lined up on the offensive side of the ball since playing tight end in high school.
“He said, you’ve got me if you need me on third down, too,” Partridge said. “He’s a force to be reckoned with. Anything we can do to help the team with him we’re going to do.”
Partridge said the Owls already have a variety of plays for when Hendrickson is on the field. He didn’t come out and say it directly, but with Hendrickson’s experience at tight end he figures to at least be a threat in the passing game.
On Sunday, however, Hendrickson simply took pleasure in leading the way for his teammate.
“I enjoy football,” Hendrickson said. “I’m not afraid of contact, of making blocks and for sure not afraid of finishing blocks. I like to have fun.”
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