Taurean Henderson attended Gatesville High School in Gatesville, Texas where he played running back on the football team. As a senior he rushed for 2,953 yards on 386 attempts and scored 32 touchdowns, leading Gatesville to a state championship. He was named first team all-state and district MVP for his performance as a senior. He finished his career with 6,337 yards and 76 touchdowns. He was recruited by Baylor, TCU, and Kansas, but opted to attend Texas Tech where he sat out the 2001 season as a redshirt. He made an immediate impact as a redshirt freshman in 2002, leading the team in both rushing yards and receptions. He carried the ball 153 times for 793 yards and 7 touchdowns. He caught 98 passes for 633 yards and 6 touchdowns. He was named third team all-big twelve for his performance as a freshman. As a sophomore, Henderson rushed for 736 yards and a team high 10 touchdowns on 124 carries while catching 78 passes for 611 yards and 6 more scores. He was named honorable mention all-big twelve for his play that season. As a junior he carried the ball 162 times for 840 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also caught 60 passes for 286 yards and 2 touchdowns. He received all-conference honors for the second consecutive season. As a senior, Henderson rushed 148 times for career highs in yards (872) and rushing touchdowns (17). He also caught 67 passes for 528 yards and 5 touchdowns, on his way to first team all-big twelve honors.

Taurean Henderson has a great deal of experience, having started for Texas Tech since his redshirt freshman season in 2002. He has good vision and is a great outside runner who is very elusive in the open field. He is easily one of the best receiving running backs in the draft, having come from a spread offense where he caught over 300 passes in his career. He has great hands and runs good routes. His elusiveness allows him to get yards after the catch. He also has a lot of experience when it comes to pass blocking. Taurean Henderson lacks ideal size, strength, and timed speed for an NFL running back. He isn’t a very physical runner and does most of his damage outside of the tackles. His versatility would make him an excellent third down or change of pace back at the professional level. He should be a second day pick in the 2006 NFL draft.