Now, some guys announce their arrival, and then there’s Kaden Henderson, who kicks the door off the hinges, as this Class of 2027 player from Tampa’s Jesuit HS isn’t just versatile; he’s a one-man wrecking crew. Safety, linebacker, or an edge rusher – you pick a spot, and Kaden dominates it. What sets him apart? Well, nearing 100 total tackles as a sophomore is no joke, right? His performance is a threat to the offense, and with that kind of impact, the recruiting race might heat up. But here’s the kicker — Kaden has his favorites, and some big-shot programs might end up watching him go from the sidelines.

In the rat race of getting in, your favorite players’ teams often lose their impact when players already have their minds set on specific teams. Now, in the case of Henderson, he is playing this risky game of poker among 7 teams. Yes, you read that right. Kaden will visit 7 teams: Miami Hurricanes, Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Ohio State Buckeyes, Alabama Crimson Tide, USC Trojans, and Clemson Tigers. But among all of them, the No. 1 linebacker in the 2027 class has his top 3 favorites. Interesting, right?

Talking to Chad Simmons of On3, Kaden Henderson reveals his top 3 favorite teams among these visits. They are Miami, Gators, and FSU. His first visit is going to be in Miami, and Kaden is going to visit them for the first time. Now, what stands out for him in the case of the Hurricanes is their remarkable season. Then he’s going to Gators, where he has been a couple of times, and what makes him excited about the team is their LB coach, Robert Bala.

And at last, we have FSU, where family connection plays a vital role, as he says, “So just knowing, just talking to Coach [Mike] Norvell all the time, really, just getting, getting closer as a family environment, my family’s been there a couple of times, so it’s overall, he’s growing with the connection.” That’s really not what Alabama or the rest of the programs on his list wanted to hear. But when you have over 20 programs running behind you, some teams have to go through a heartbreak.

Look, the 6’2″ 205lb athlete is keeping his options open, but his decision could have a significant impact on various teams. Alabama seems like a logical choice, especially with only two commitments in their 2027 class so far — athlete Alexander Ward and edge rusher Jabarrius Garror. There is still time for both the 2026 and 2027 recruiting cycles to unfold, but making an early decision could position Henderson to make a quick impact.

Even Clemson also caught his eye, but one program ranks higher: “Ohio State has been on top for a while,” Henderson told 247Sports. “Coach [James] Laurinaitis has done everything I want to accomplish as a football player, so I know it will be great to get coached by him.” Ohio State also shows no signs of slowing. With scholarship offers extended to three recruits — two in the class of 2026 and one in 2027 — the Buckeyes maintain a robust recruiting pipeline. But is it enough to fight Kaden Henderson’s dream school?

Kaden Henderson’s ultimate ‘dream school’

Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want a player like Kaden Henderson? As a freshman, he didn’t just play; he dominated — tallying 85 tackles, six tackles for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, according to MaxPreps. That’s not just impressive stats; it’s a clear sign of his talent. In his sophomore year in 2024, although he only played two games, his performance in previous seasons spoke volumes about his skills.

Talk about Kaden Henderson’s ‘dream school’? Among his visits and top 3 programs (Hurricanes, Seminoles, and Gators), Florida State has got the upper hand. As the top-ranked linebacker in the 2027 class, he has visited Tallahassee four times. During his visits, he has been getting to know Mike Norvell and the team. His most recent trip allowed him to meet the new defensive coordinator, Tony White, and the rest of the revamped coaching staff.

But why has FSU always been a school he’s drawn to? “It was really my dream school growing up. You’d always see me wearing garnet and gold, but it’s the atmosphere and tradition and everything like that.” Kaden said. Well, Henderson has strong ties to the Seminoles, and with a new defensive coaching staff, FSU is aggressively recruiting one of the top defenders in the class of 2027.

Now, with so many programs rooting high for him, let’s wait and see which team ultimately ends up landing him.