Robert Henry named nation’s top junior college player

Jones College Sports Information

ORLANDO, Fla. (WDAM) - Running back Robert Henry and his Jones College teammates came up short on their quest for a junior college football national championship this fall.

But earlier this week, the nation’s leading rusher and the Bobcats received a very nice consolation prize.

Henery, who ran for 1,302 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2022, was recipient of the inaugural Walter Jones Trophy at historic Dubsdread Ballroom In Orlando, Fla.

He was one of three finalists, joined by Iowa Western Community College defensive end Jackson Filer and Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College quarterback Dylan Laible.

A panel of media representatives from multiple regions across the country selected the three finalists as well as the trophy recipient. The honor was presented Monday by Jones and the Orlando Touchdown Club.

Going forward, the Jones Trophy will be awarded annually to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s best Division I football player.

The honor, created by JUCO Weekly, is named for former National Football League Hall of Fame payer Walter Jones, who played at Holmes Community College during his JuCo days.

Jones spent his entire career with the Seattle Seahawks, starting in 180 games. He earned seven All-Pro designations and was named to the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team.

Henry was the nation’s leading Division I JuCo rusher by more than 300 yards for a JC that finished with an 8-2 record and was ranked as high as No. 4 in the national NJCAA poll.

He finished second on JC’s single-season list for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

Henry, a former standout at Lumberton HIgh School, ran for a career-high 219 yards and three touchdowns against East Mississippi Community College. He posted a career-high four rushing scores and 190 yards rushing against Itawamba Community College

A two-time Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference Player of the Week, Henry earned a NJCAA Player of the Week .

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