Willie Henry to the NFL Draft Comment Count

Brian

Welp, Willie Henry is headed to the draft, and has set a record for longest screenshot of the Notes app in recorded history.

Henry was an under the radar recruit out of Cleveland Glenville who Brady Hoke picked up on late; his raw power wasn't matched by his technique until this year, when he put together a breakout year along with the rest of the defensive line. In honor of his tendency to hurl people away from him entertainingly he's got a "willie henry throws humans" tag; he played at an All Conference level and probably won't last past the third round. With remaining upside I wouldn't be surprised if someone grabbed him sooner. Any concerns that Michigan's NFL draft streak might end can cease, at least?

In Henry's absence Michigan is likely to move Maurice Hurst into the starting three-tech role; they still go 6-7 deep on the line with quality players. Henry's departure does hurt Michigan's chances of fielding a full-on Alabama-style line. It also opens up a scholarship; Michigan now has 19 spots available and counting.

Comments

MGoStrength

January 14th, 2016 at 7:54 AM ^

If you get the players you need elsewhere, then so be it, you don't miss them.  But, that also means if you don't take the OH kids, then our rivals are getting a bigger share of them which gives them stronger classes.  I don't think think this makes much of a difference to OSU who already gets the majority of what they want from OH, but it sure helps MSU and ND.  And, remember some of our all time greats are from OH like C. Woodson and D. Howard.

maize-blue

January 13th, 2016 at 9:28 PM ^

That stinks. The D line was going to be filthy next season, especially if Gary ends up here. But money is hard to turn down. Hopefully Hurst breaks out like Henry did this year.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

January 13th, 2016 at 9:42 PM ^

chance at his NFL dream.

Hate to lose him especially with his versatility of techs, but Hurst can get a little more stout with 8 months of S&C and Rashan can create mismatches with tackles and TEs if he goes Blue. What we really need is a pure edge rusher.

Good luck, Willie.

Michigan4Life

January 13th, 2016 at 9:43 PM ^

The DT class is deeeeep with talent so players with a round grade will invariably drop a round in actual draft because of the position depth. Plus there's a ton of underclassmen declared for the draft and it's more than what the draft would take them on any given year. You can say at least 25% got bad advice. I hope Willie is not one of them.




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Black Socks

January 13th, 2016 at 9:49 PM ^

This is good for us.  Michigan develops NFL players, more want to come.  Willie needs to go for his reasons.  He will be a success and give props to M.  Proves Greg Mattison can take a low 3 star and turn him into a good draft pick.  Strengthens bond with Tedd Ginn.  Lots of positives.

jmdblue

January 14th, 2016 at 7:38 AM ^

Butt, Lewis, Wormley all came back.  We're looking at a great recruiting class featuring maybe the number one kid in the country.  We're gonna enter next season at number 5 or so.  Hockey looks good.  Bball is improving. Harbaugh.  

alum96

January 13th, 2016 at 9:46 PM ^

Damn.

wish him well but damn.... didnt see him in top 2 rounds so thought he'd stay.

But for all the star gazers (hand raised) he was THE lowest rated guy in the 2012 class.

 

kgh10

January 14th, 2016 at 2:23 AM ^

Man could Hoke and Mattison find and develop these minimally recruited defensive lineman. Ryan Glasgow, Willie Henry, Frank Clark, Will Heininger. Truly amazing! In an alternate universe it'd be awesome if Hoke came back to coach DL after Mattison retires.

Erik_in_Dayton

January 13th, 2016 at 9:47 PM ^

He'll be missed. Senior Willie Henry would presumably have been better than freshman Rashan Gary, so Michigan likely can't draw even there. They could have a hell of a NT combination with Glasgow and Mone, though.

HarbaughFever

January 13th, 2016 at 10:09 PM ^

Awesome for Willie, best of luck to him.  But thinking about that 2016 line, especially if we were fortunate enough to get Gary... man, what could have been.

Still, the two-deep is gonna look pretty great:

  • NT: Glasgow / Mone
  • DT: Hurst / Godin
  • SDE: Wormley / Gary
  • WDE: Charlton / Marshall

With Gary being able to move around a bit, and other guys who could contribute like Shelton Johnson, and possibly Kemp / Elliott, etc... we definitely still have the potential to be one of the best DLs in the nation.  Willie would have all but solidified that though.  Go get some $ sir!

TheReal_GR3

January 13th, 2016 at 10:21 PM ^

Wondering if this means Gary plays more inside fighting Hurst for tackle spot... I believe it has been said before that Godin is better outside but I could be wrong... 

On passing downs I'd still expect Wormley to move inside. Maybe Gary moves outside thern or maybe it's Gary and Wormley inside with Charlton and Marhsall (or another pass rusher) on the outside. 

Bigger question, what happens if we don't get Gary? Guess Elliott is the next DT? Godin for sure to SDE. 

Lots of questions. 

CoverZero

January 13th, 2016 at 10:19 PM ^

I had a feeling he would choose the NFL.  I dont blame him because its a lot of money in front of him.  Physically he is ready, and its a matter of learning how to play the pro game now.  Good luck to him.

TheReal_GR3

January 13th, 2016 at 10:25 PM ^

This is what I am hearing but I've tried not to listen too much. I live in SEC country so I don't know what to believe. Talking to one of the scouts I know they think Ole Miss is real, for Gary, not his mother. Seems Gary likes them but his mother isn't sold. But those are his thoughts and by no means facts. He was with him at UA. 

TheReal_GR3

January 13th, 2016 at 10:33 PM ^

As for my thoughts on Henry, I think he could flip up draft boards. He is going to kill the NFL Combine. 

Big things I don't know are what weight he comes in at, his hand size/arm length, body fat %. I expect him to run fast for his size and his film will look strong. 

A great combine and strong numbers could put him in the 2nd but if not I think he is late 3rd and seen as only a pass rush DE. 

AZBlue

January 13th, 2016 at 11:42 PM ^

Well at least this guarantees the draft "streak" will remain. (Pretty sure it would have anyway.)

Good luck young man - way to go out on a high note - and always.....Go Blue!!!!




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G Money

January 13th, 2016 at 11:52 PM ^

You really can't help yourself.

UM sported one of the top defenses in the country last year, and we're talking about a guy with sophomore eligibility last year. An underclassman.

As sophomore's linemen often do, they get better when they get into their upperclass years.

 

It's like you're saying Hoke tripped over and fell on Heny, he was a mute, then Harbaugh laid hands and he's a star...

 

I wish Greg Mattison knew how to teach tecnnique of defensive players. It's a shame we had to live through that....[sarc]

 

Good luck to Henry. He was a great pick up, probably forced into a lineup early that should have had better upperclassmen on his arrival, played beyond his "star" level from early on and was a very good player last year, that looked like he had star capability. All before 2015. 

 

Henry was an under the radar recruit out of Cleveland Glenville who Brady Hoke picked up on late; his raw power wasn't matched by his technique until this year