Syracuse football 3-star commit Phoenix Henriquez hauls in state player of year award

On Friday, Syracuse football 2026 three-star wide receiver commit Phoenix Henriquez capped off a stellar senior season when he was named the Gatorade player of the year in Delaware for the recently completed 2025 campaign.

A huge congrats from Orange Nation to Phoenix, who has also been named the Class 3A District 2
offensive player of the year and an All-State first-team performer, according to social media posts.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Henriquez officially signed with the 'Cuse on Wednesday at the start of the early signing period for 2026 high school football prospects. The Orange's 2026 class, at 26 signed commits, is ranked No. 30 overall via the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

Head coach Fran Brown and his top-flight staff have hauled in the highest-rated team class for Syracuse football in the modern era of comprehensive recruiting rankings over the Internet.

During the 2025 term, Henriquez helped guide Smyrna High School in Smyrna, Del., to a 7-5 overall record. Smyrna advanced to the semifinals of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association ("DIAA") Class 3A state playoffs. Middletown High School in Middletown, Del., won the 3A state title, and its roster includes three-star wide receiver BJ Garrett, who is also officially signed in the Orange's 2026 class.

Syracuse football has numerous talented wide receivers in its 2026 cycle.

According to MaxPreps, as a senior, Henriquez caught 83 passes for 1,069 yards, or 12.9 yards per reception, to go along with 15 touchdowns. He also rushed 14 times for 114 yards, or 8.1 yards per carry, with five scores on the ground.

Per Friday's press release from Gatorade, Henriquez in the 2025 season also had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Both composite rating systems, the 247Sports Composite and the Rivals Industry Ranking, have Henriquez as a nationally ranked 2026 prospect, and he's also the No. 5 player in Delaware.

"Phoenix is a quiet, all-business type of guy within the realm of sports; he leads through hard work and consistency in positive body language," Smyrna High School head coach Mike Judy said in the announcement.

Henriquez is one of six wide receivers in the 'Cuse 2026 class. He's extremely talented and, frankly, quite underrated in this cycle. Orange Nation is lucky to have Phoenix joining the program!