By Andy Walter

NEWARK — It wasn’t that long ago that Nolan Henderson was a skinny, 150-pound quarterback trying to help Smyrna High win some state titles.

But he’s not a kid anymore.

Now in his fifth year at Delaware, Henderson has some big things expected of him this fall.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder was named the Colonial Athletic Association’s top QB on the preseason All-CAA team. He’s also been listed among the top 10 returning quarterbacks nationally in FCS this fall.

The way Henderson sees it, the Blue Hens have a lot of experienced offensive players after returning almost everybody from a team that reached the NCAA FCS Division I semifinals in the spring.

“We’re not necessarily starting from scratch,” Henderson said after a recent practice. “We’re just looking for those little details to master your position just to get better as an entire team. We have a lot of people coming back and a lot of things that we already understand.

“It’s just taking that next step of really learning your position, learning your opponent, learning the details and how to tweak things.”

Henderson was impressive in the spring. His completion percentage of 70.68 percent (135-of-191) broke the school record for a season.

Henderson also currently holds the school mark for fewest career interceptions (with at least 300 attempts) with just five. Twice in the spring he completed at least 10 passes in a row, including 12 straight in the Hens’ FCS quarterfinal victory at Jacksonville State.

Clearly, coach Danny Rocco liked what he saw from Henderson when camp opened last week.

“Today, he was really good,” Rocco said after the Hens’ first practice. “He was fresh and he saw things and he got the ball out.”

On the other hand, one of Henderson’s best talents — his ability to scramble — has also been the source of his only real major issue — injuries.

Henderson has missed parts of games during his career after taking some hard hits. In last year’s playoff run, he was temporarily sidelined in each of Delaware’s last two playoff games.

The Hens struggled after Henderson went out with what looked like a serious leg injury in the first quarter of their 33-3 loss at South Dakota State. With the Delaware QB out, the Jackrabbits reeled off 27 straight points before halftime.

“I did think it took a little air out of our sails,” Rocco said after the game. “There was a lot of uncertainty about whether he’d be able to get back. In that little time frame, we just seemed to lose our way a little bit.”

Henderson, of course, would love to avoid getting injured.

He’s tried to take more preventative steps in the off-season, like stretching more and putting on extra muscle and weight. Of course, if injuries were easily avoidable, everyone would avoid them.

“It’s just one of those things,” said Henderson. “Sometimes they’re freak and you’ve just got to push through them. You try not to miss time.”

Delaware’s offensive linemen know they play a big role in keeping Henderson on the field. The Hens’ top lineman, David Kroll, said he’s making it a priority to try to keep Henderson from getting hit as much as possible.

“Nolan shouldn’t even have to worry about me at all,” said Kroll. “I just want him to focus on throwing the ball.”

With his abilities as a playmaker coupled with his toughness and work ethic, Henderson seems to have reached that point where his teammates know they can count on him to make something happen.

He’s a little bit like former Delaware QB Bill Vergantino was in the late 1980s and early 90s. He was another undersized Blue Hen quarterback who always seemed to bounce back from big hits and make the big play.

“Our quarterback is rare,” Rocco said about Henderson returning in the South Dakota State loss. “He’s a rare human being. ... There’s something else about this guy that you guys have got to get. I’m sure if you hadn’t gotten it yet, you got it today.

“This guy is rare when it comes to just being tough and team-oriented and selfless. I’m really proud of Nolan and what he’s been able to do this season.”

Henderson, naturally, just wants to help the Hens win more games. After Delaware’s success in the spring and high expectations in the fall, a lot of teams will want to knock them off.

“No one expected us to make it to the semifinals after the years that we’ve had,” said Henderson. “The ups and downs. But now it’s taking the next step — realizing that we can do it. We were a game away from Frisco (the national title game).

“I’m taking that next step every day, trying to get better and lead this team to the next game and winning in Frisco.”