Dwayne Hendricks grad signs with NFL practice squad

After working as a volunteer coach for the Millville High School football team for the last three months, Dwayne Hendricks was gearing up for the big Thanksgiving matchup with Vineland.

One phone call changed his Turkey Day plans.

Hendricks, a 2004 Millville graduate, was signed to the New York Giants' practice squad Tuesday after working out for the team in the morning. It's the second time in as many years Hendricks has been signed as one of the eight members of the team's practice squad.

"It almost felt like the first time when I signed last year," Hendricks said by phone Tuesday. "But now I know what it's like and I know what to expect and what I have to improve on from what I did last time."

Hendricks, 24, is a 6-foot-4, 300-pound defensive tackle was a three-year starter at the University of Miami after his time as a Thunderbolt. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in April 2009. He was released that June, but was signed to the practice squad four months later.

This summer, he was invited to training camp and was part of the team's final cuts, being released on Sept. 4.

Hendricks received an invitation to work out for the team on Monday and was signed shortly after completing his workout on Tuesday. He will practice with the team today.

"It was one of the teams I was familiar with, so I thought my chances were very good," Hendricks said about the Giants. "I was excited but nervous because I didn't want to get let down."

Being a member of a practice squad can be a thankless NFL job. Members work out with the team all week, but watch the games from home on Sundays.

"We do everything the regular team does (in practice)," Hendricks said. "You're just an extra body in there, helping out. I basically act as the other team."

With the Giants playing Philadelphia on Sunday night, Hendricks will mimic the team he grew up rooting for as a kid.

Since September, Hendricks has worked with the Thunderbolts' defensive line. He was also a substitute teacher at Millville High School.
"It was fun going back and helping out and sharing stuff that you know with people who are trying to get to where you're at, or at least go to college," Hendricks said.

The volunteer coach was able to witness the Thunderbolts qualify for the Group IV South playoffs for the first time since 1998.

"It was a big step forward for Millville," Hendricks said about the season. "Millville is supposed to be a football town. Now it gives the city something to talk about. I think it'll start bringing back some of the old fans that had lost faith. I think the future of the program is going to be amazing under coach (Jason Durham) and his staff."

Durham said he was excited for Hendricks' new opportunity.

"It's great for him, he's going back up," Millville coach Jason Durham said. "He's a level-headed young man and positive person."

And while he won't have a headset on during the Thanksgiving game against Vineland, he was able to make a prediction.

"I'll say Millville, 28-14."



(thedailyjournal.com)