Exit: AJ Henning
During the break on last week's WTKA show a listener asked if Cole Cabana should return kicks and Sam was like "Sure" and the rest of us were like "NO!" in unison. Then we all talked over each other to explain why that's AJ Henning's job, because he's good at it and needs something to do since he's not getting passes. And then we all frowned because Sam just kept making that face.
Sometimes Sam knows something he's not telling us.
[Talking about it, after THE JUMP]
Dangit! AJ Henning leaving after three seasons—presumably with a degree in hand—isn't going to be devastating to Michigan's offense. He had just nine catches for 60 yards on 11 targets in a healthy 2022, and three end-around carries. That was a comedown from his sophomore season, when Henning issued the official proclamation that Ohio State losing to Michigan is a thing again.
The same play was a crucial field-flipper in the B10 Championship and a final gasp of hope in the Playoff loss to Georgia. As a receiver, there were was some early promise as JJ McCarthy locked on to his old 7v7 mate in their first Michigan game together. I noted over the course of the year that Henning was getting open deep, but Cade McNamara wasn't the guy take those opportunities. While other stars got the ball, however, Henning was constantly involved in their success.
Watch #3 the slot receiver on the lower hash
Even after Adrel Anthony (Oklahoma) preceded Henning to the portal, with Tyler Morris and Darrius Clemons moving into their sophomore campaigns, this year's depth chart wasn't going to be any easier to climb. That's before you consider Michigan's plans to use Donovan Edwards in the HB/WR role that Henning was trying to carve out. There are also some true freshmen to contend with; Semaj Morgan and Karmello English arrive with a lot of the attributes that defined Henning, and RB Cole Cabana is supposed to be another Edwards.
Henning's primary role however was as a return specialist. Michigan was 19th last year in punt return efficiency, and 17 in kick returns to FEI. Henning was the recipient of the throwback screen kickoff return TD against Maryland, and finally returned a punt to the house last year against UConn.
The way the Wolverines have been recruiting they should be able to find other athletes—maybe Edwards, maybe one of the freshmen—to take over kick return duties. Likewise they ought to be able to turn up someone who can get to and properly process punt returns in an era when opportunities to bring them back are rare. Among players on the roster only Caden Kolesar (3), Jake Thaw (1), and Cornelius Johnson (1) have returned punts from deep before.
Henning has two years left to play, and should be one of the top returners in the country for whomever that is. As for the Calvin Bell Memorial Guy Who Comes in for End-Arounds position, practice reports say Semaj Morgan is showing a lot of promise. Morgan's former West Bloomfield teammate Donovan Edwards might also factor there. And hopefully Sam's done making that face.
RJ Moten made that face reappear :(
Can't blame a guy for not wanting to be just a returner and gadget guy. And can't blame the coaches for playing guys who are better receivers at receiver. Looks like a situation where everyone can understand each other other, shake hands, and part ways. Nice farewell message from him. Best of luck to AJ.
Definitely. Good guy and I'm sure everyone wishes him great success. Also shows his class as he leaves. (A couple of guys who left earlier should take notes.)
We do not have a lot of talent at wide receiver. It is horrible mismanagement by the coaching staff to allow Henning to feel like he should leave. I fail to see how he isn't a starter.
There is a lot that goes into playing rec. AJ Henning was largely outplayed at the position by the other receivers. He had some bad luck of Cade McNamara not seeing him get open on many great plays he had in 2021. But he also would run a sloppy route and cause a good throw to be a miss by drifting on his route or rounding a cut that takes him a couple yards off the mark and fans blamed the qb. Andrel Anthony had this issue a bit and had some drops as well.
I thought AJ Henning was among the top athletes on the team and you could see that athleticism on punt returns, reverses. The staff could have done more to get him the ball, but he has to get open to justify getting the ball in the short and medium game. I didn’t think he had a connection with JJ and that also could have been an issue for him. That’s on him to develop chemistry with qb’s. Ronnie Bell had no issues developing that chemistry with both Cade and JJ.
Is That-Sam-Face now a thing?
The anti-gut reaction
Bad gut feeling
Statistically speaking, Henning is the least effective punt returner of the Jim Harbaugh era and the second worst kickoff returner, ahead of only Ambry Thomas. I know context matters and such, but those are the numbers.
Yes... but also he didn't fumble and knew when to let them bounce.
A returner should never let the ball bounce. My only gripe with him was not getting to the ball often enough for a fair catch. That cost the team a lot of field position.
If they're worried about making a clean catch, they should absolutely let it bounce.
More playing time for #7. As much as I like #6 as a guy, this could be addition by subtraction in terms of keeping both RBs (and your best athletes) in the field.
Good point, but #8 is a team player and should be able to backup #7 until #9 gets here.
Unless...
Unless 7 8 9, in which case 8 is very worried.
absolutely do not give Edwards any returning duties. Corum and Edwards need to be delivered unblemished to the osu game. Just find a guy who can Catch The Damn Punt and anyone can return kicks.
Yes. The value of having Corum and Edwards on the field simultaneously on most snaps is going to be tremendous, especially in The Game. It is not worth risking on punt returns. The schedule is soft enough early on to risk giving a new guy reps against ECU, etc.
Absolutely. They have over 100 guys on the team in some capacity - one of them can wave his arm of his head on punts and call it a day. If you need a big punt return late in a game sure but I don't want to see anyone who is on the two-deep taking punts against UNLV.
Always bummed when a player from IL departs. Hope AJ finds success where he is at. Good luck to him!
Will always have the touchdown against OSU in 2021 to start The Game off right!
Best of luck AJ.
AJ Henning's GF is an MSU cheerleader. I wonder if he transfers to a rival.
No issue from me if he does. Whatever he feels is best for him.
I remember thinking after the Indiana game last year where Henning got in 21 real WR snaps and was 'not good' that he was likely never going to do it here. I remember one particular end zone target where he was falling down for no reason and couldn't bring it in. Anyway, good luck to him but most likely outcome is we won't ever hear much from him, a la Giles Jackson.
"Calvin Bell Memorial Guy Who Comes in for End-Arounds" I love this reference. Now I feel old.
Please no not DE to replace him. Call me paranoid. Too valuable in other parts of the game. But then again, you want to put the ball in your best players hands.
Maybe I have too much PTSD of years past where catching a punt was an adventure in hilarity. I would settle for someone with glue hands who has a low average on return yardage if we are assured of no fumbles.
Seth I'm surprised you didn't emphasize the obvious point here: This could be your boy Caden Kolesar's time to shine
No, the trick with Kolesars is to keep underrating them.
Wasn't Roman Wilson the primary kick returner most of last year? I don't recall him getting many actual opportunities to run one out, but I'm pretty sure he was the one back there most of the time. Presumably he's an option?
Mike Sainristil has repped as PR before as well (a lifetime ago seemingly).
Understandable...but I'm going to miss AJ. I loved his energy and the fact that he always seemed to work hard despite the obvious disappointment in his lack of PT.
I second Caden Kolesar. He was the "safe" returner until Henning was ready.
I bet he's the returner until the coaches are comfortable with someone else.
Henning got the job because Ronnie Bell tore his ACL. And he looked horrible at first. We will be able to ease someone in the same way.
I was hoping Gattis was going to make AJ our KJ (Hamler). It just wasn't meant to be.
I wish nothing but the best for the guy.
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