Kansas receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. eyes a pass as he is dragged down by a Wagner defender during the second quarter on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Pass interference was called on the play. Photo by Nick Krug

In each of the first two games of the Kansas football season, a different receiver has boosted the Jayhawks with two touchdowns.

On Friday, it was Emmanuel Henderson Jr. As KU beat Wagner 46-7 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Henderson flashed his speed, leading to touchdowns and first downs.

“I feel like I have an advantage with my speed, and I just go out there and execute,” Henderson said.

Henderson, a senior transfer from Alabama, finished with six catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. His first end-zone trip was his first touchdown since his Geneva County High School days, back in 2021. After three years at Alabama, Henderson transferred to Kansas in search of making more plays at wideout.

Henderson’s speed stood out along the sideline, where he was able to fly behind Wagner’s secondary. KU redshirt senior quarterback Jalon Daniels targeted Henderson more than any other receiver in the game, and when the two didn’t connect on a pass, Henderson drew a pass interference flag.

“He’s a speedy guy — he’s a speedster,” Daniels said. “He has a lot of ability to go out there and outrun a lot of people. I’m glad everyone was able to see that tonight.”

Henderson caught two of Daniels’s first four passes against Wagner, including a 21-yard reception to set up a touchdown throw to redshirt senior tight end DeShawn Hanika. On the Jayhawks’ third drive, Henderson reeled in two more catches, the latter of which was a 9-yard touchdown on a post route. He followed that up with a 28-yard catch and a 62-yard touchdown later in the game, with the touchdown coming on the first drive of the second half.

Coming off a red-zone interception at the end of the second half, adding another score for the Daniels-to-Henderson connection was important for the offense.

Henderson was happy to get the opportunities, especially considering two ended in touchdowns. Since coming to KU, he’s already surpassed his career reception total at Alabama with six on the season.

“This offense gives a lot of people a lot of opportunities, and we just go out there and do our job,” Henderson said. “I’ve just got to continue to keep my head down and keep working and take advantage of every opportunity I get.”

Henderson’s work ethic has made an impression on coach Lance Leipold, who said that the receiver came on strong toward the end of fall camp, particularly with his consistency. With his breakaway speed, an improved ability to bring in receptions has added to his impact on the offense.

“(He showed) his explosiveness, his ability to get past people,” Leipold said. “His one knock was probably his ball skills — catching the balls off his body. His hands have gotten extremely more consistent the back half of camp, and he’s shown it in these games, making contested catches. He works so hard. I really like what he adds to our offense.”

Henderson said the receivers have trust in each other to make the most of their opportunities. With different receivers leading the team through two games, the depth and trust have made a mark on the position group and the team.

“That whole entire room is a selfless room, and they continue to go out there and work for each other,” Daniels said. “It’s my job to go out there and make sure I’m able to get the ball to my playmakers in space to allow them to make plays.”