Spencer Doan and Damien Henderson Earn 2026 Shriners Children's 1000 Watch List Honors
Spencer Doan and Damien Henderson from Harvard Football have been named to the 2026 Shriners Children's 1000 Watch List, a preseason acknowledgment that spotlights the nation’s most impactful college players.
Doan, an offensive lineman hailing from Lawrence, Kansas, earned 2025 All‑Ivy League First‑Team honors after a junior season in which he did not allow a single sack, hit or more than four quarterback hurries, underscoring his pass‑protection mastery.
The 6‑foot‑5, 310‑pound lineman appeared in all 21 games over the past two seasons, a testament to his durability and the trust coaches place in his steady presence on the line.
Henderson’s Rise as a Defensive Playmaker
Henderson, a native of Tampa, Florida, arrives on the watch list after being tabbed a first‑team All‑American by FCS Football Central and a second‑team pick by Stats Perform, positioning him early as a contender for the Buck Buchanan Award.
During the 2025 campaign Henderson recorded 46 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, two interceptions and six pass breakups, numbers that placed him among the team leaders in defensive productivity.
His two interceptions were tied for the team high, while his pass breakups and tackle totals ranked second and fourth respectively, reflecting a well‑rounded impact on both the secondary and the front seven.
Harvard’s Recent Ivy League Dominance
Both players were instrumental in Harvard’s third consecutive Ivy League championship and the program’s inaugural berth in the NCAA FCS Playoffs, a milestone that culminated in a 9‑2 overall record and a No. 7 ranking in the Stats Perform Top 25.
The Crimson will open the 2026 season on September 19 against New Hampshire, a matchup that will test the readiness of a squad that has already captured national attention through its recent accolades.