Nicholls adds football transfer

With 2012 starting quarterback Landry Klann likely out for the season with a shoulder injury, the Nicholls State University football team exited spring practices looking for depth at the position.

It arrived this week in the name of a Division I transfer.

Colonels coach Charlie Stubbs announced this week that former University of Tulsa quarterback Kalen Henderson will enroll at Nicholls and join the program.

Henderson is a native of Mount Alry, La. He played two seasons for Tulsa and will arrive in Thibodaux with two years of eligibility.

Stubbs said he expects Henderson to be ready for tomorrow’s start of fall camp.

He will be competing for a position that is in a bit of limbo due to Klann’s injury.

Prior to the transfer, junior quarterback Beaux Hebert was penciled in as the team’s starter.

But Henderson could start or play a wildcat role similar to that of outgoing quarterback LaQuintin Caston.

The new Colonels’ quarterback spent three seasons with the Golden Hurricanes.

His first season he redshirted – during the 2010 season.

In 2011 and 2012, the quarterback saw playing time in 11 games, completing 24-of-75 passes with 416 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions.

Henderson started one game during his time with Tulsa, guiding the team to a win over Rice in 2012.

He was 8-of-23 in that game with 201 yards passing and a touchdown.

The way he guided the team on short notice caught the eye of his coach.

Tulsa trailed 24-21 in that game, but Henderson led the team on a late touchdown drive, which pushed the game to its final 28-24 margin.

“Offensively, we’re really proud of Kalen,” Tulsa coach Bill Blankenship said. “I thought he really stepped in on his first game and overcame a little bit of a tough start.”

Prior to his time in college, Henderson had a decorated prep career at East St. John.

He was a Rivals.com 2-star prospect following his senior year with the Wildcats – a year that saw the 6-foot, 2-inch quarterback complete 106-of-176 passes for 1,726 yards and 18 touchdowns.

During that year, he also rushed 72 times for 654 yards and five touchdowns.