local
Fast-rising Prosper Walnut Grove DE DJ Henderson commits to UNT after building bond with staff
By Denton Record-Chronicle
· June 24, 2026
· 1 min read
In hindsight, it might have seemed like a small gesture, but the decision new North Texas coach Neal Brown and defensive coordinator Matt Powledge made during DJ Henderson’s official visit earlier this month made a big impression.
Why this matters in Denton News
The commitment of Prosper Walnut Grove defensive end DJ Henderson to the University of North Texas is a significant development for the local football scene. Henderson's decision to stay in the area and play for the Mean Green is a testament to the efforts of new coach Neal Brown and his staff to build relationships with top local talent. The fact that a small gesture during Henderson's official visit made a big impression suggests that the coaching staff is prioritizing personal connections with recruits, which could pay dividends in attracting more local players to the program. As UNT looks to rebuild its football team, the ability to keep top talent in the area will be crucial, and Henderson's commitment is a positive sign for the program's future. The Mean Green's success in recruiting local players will be worth watching in the coming months.
About this story
Original reporting by Denton Record-Chronicle . Denton News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Denton Record-Chronicle . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: Denton Record-Chronicle ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more Denton News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? In hindsight, it might have seemed like a small gesture, but the decision new North Texas coach Neal Brown and defensive coordinator Matt Powledge made during DJ Henderson’s official visit earlier this month made a big impression.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by Denton Record-Chronicle and curated for Denton News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Denton Record-Chronicle. To learn more about how Denton News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Denton News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter