Willie Henry Still Pondering NFL Decision
In between the 84 posbangs will just throw this in as the 2 guys most likely to go early (Butt, Lewis) are returning but Henry is right up there, with a late season surge and certainly the most disruptive guy on the DL in the back half of the year as he finally became much more consistent in Oct/Nov. He is still up in the air so the final piece to watch for.
Wouldn't be "devastating" to lose him due to depth on the DL but he along with Wormley seem to do the most work in terms of sacks and TFL so hopefully he comes back because we don't have an established DE type pass rusher type on this line for 2016. It is one thing to project guys to that status but Henry is already there and these top end teams dominate the trenches as we even saw today with our OL.
I haven't seen him in any mocks yet but considering a player of Clark's ability went in the 2nd round I could not see Henry falling past the 3rd so he could be in that mid to late 2nd to 3rd range just from guessing. Another step forward in production (and consistency) next year might push him into late 1st however - but he certainly has the "measurables" teams yearn for. Not bad for the lowest rated recruit in the 2012 class.
Willie Henry applied for the NFL advisory board. Isn't sure yet if he'll be back.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) January 1, 2016
January 1st, 2016 at 5:40 PM ^
Willie come back!
January 1st, 2016 at 5:43 PM ^
nahhh hes too short for the nfl
January 1st, 2016 at 5:44 PM ^
Willie we need you ! Come back ! Butt and Lewis need to talk to him ASAP.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:44 PM ^
Best of luck whatever he decides. I think we will see him back next fall in the maize n blue tho.
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January 1st, 2016 at 5:45 PM ^
Man we need him. I know we have some depth but he has proven to be disruptive. His loss would hurt IMO
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January 1st, 2016 at 5:49 PM ^
With Mone, Glasgow, and potentially Gary UM will be loaded up front.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:58 PM ^
Well he's more of a sure thing though. I think he's our best dline man, particularly getting to the qb
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January 1st, 2016 at 5:46 PM ^
He's dominant at times. I'm sure he'd be drafted by at least the middle rounds. Selfishly, I'd love to see him back, but I don't know his family's financial situation. Glenville kids often come from tough places.
January 1st, 2016 at 6:35 PM ^
I'll never fault a college athlete for leaving early as long as he has sound advice allowing him to make the right choice for him and his family.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:47 PM ^
He's good, but he's not top-level NFL good. I don't see him going early enough for it to matter.
January 1st, 2016 at 6:05 PM ^
I think he wouldn't last past the 3rd. Clark had less production and all sorts of character issues (but probably better athleticism) and didnt make it to the 3rd. He is becoming quite productive and has position flexibility btw DT and DE - question for him will be motor which until 2nd half of this year was not consistent.
The other question is what is his ceiling - i.e. how much higher can you go if you come back another year. He doesn't have top 15 type athleticism so that is why I think a breakout year might get him late 1st which is sort of where Calhoun types will land.
I think he has enough upside and talent he would nto be a 4th 5th round type. Look at the type of projects the Lions get in those rounds (yes it is the Lions but you get the idea ... you going to take Devin Taylor, Cauron Reid, or Willie Henry first?)
And I am not being a homer on this; I don't think Lewis will be 1st rounder next year either due to athletic upside which NFL execs fall in love with. Henry seems like a perfect type guy you take in the 3rd.... not the rip your eyes out measurables but certainly becoming a prolific producer at NCAA level.
January 1st, 2016 at 6:09 PM ^
The Clark pick was very unusual however. Many people questioned if that was a good choice when he was drafted as he was pegged more of a 4th 5th rounder.
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January 1st, 2016 at 10:27 PM ^
Sort of, Clark has had the physical FREAK status his entire career.
HIs combine numbers were crazy. He was like top 3-5 in every category if I remember correctly.
And there's nothing that vaults NFL draftees up the boards more than crazy athleticism.
January 1st, 2016 at 6:27 PM ^
The difference is Clark was/is a true pass rushing DE and the NFL is a passing league. They love DEs like that even with the problems. I don't see Henry as that type of player. I think he will be drafted someday, but not high enough for him to go pro now.
January 1st, 2016 at 6:51 PM ^
How effective a player was in college doesn't play a huge role. Henry isn't overly explosive and doesn't do any one thing exceptionally well. I think your overrating his NFL value at this moment. Then again, it only takes one team.
January 1st, 2016 at 7:49 PM ^
...the way Henry improved over the course of the season suggests that he could make a similar leap if he stays at Michigan one more year. Another year could shift to the 1st-2nd round guy,
January 1st, 2016 at 6:21 PM ^
He'd probably be a third round pick which is about a 600k payday for next year. Even if he's a 4th or 5th rounder, he's probably making 500k next year. That could matter a whooooole lot for him and his family. Would be great to get him back, but if he leaves, can't blame a guy for wanting to earn a living.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:47 PM ^
DON'T DO IT HENRY !!!
January 1st, 2016 at 5:48 PM ^
Booooo.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:48 PM ^
Kinda awesome that our 5th best player on defense has to think about this.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:56 PM ^
I have him in top 3:
- Peppers or Lewis
- Lewis or Peppers
- Henry
- Glasgow
- Wormley
- x
- x
- x
- x
- x
- x
- x
- x
- x
- x
- x
- Any of our LBs ;)
January 1st, 2016 at 6:10 PM ^
Honestly, I wouldn't put Peppers that high. He's a versatile athlete and a very good safety, but by no means is he a lockdown type player. I'd put Henry and Glasgow above Peppers.
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January 1st, 2016 at 6:37 PM ^
He a great run stopper, a safety valve on busted plays and his very presence limits opponents screen game. He's effective outside of just man coverage situations.
January 1st, 2016 at 6:42 PM ^
Peppers was 1st team all big 10. As a freshman.
January 1st, 2016 at 6:24 PM ^
My amateur opinion has him behind Glasgow and Wormley (at least in terms of college impact) and if Mone had played he may be behind him as well. We will have to see next year.
January 1st, 2016 at 6:43 PM ^
But in terms of importance, I'd actually say Ojemudia is more important just because of the position he plays.
When you think about Glasgow and Mone coming back and then adding a certain 5* recruit...sure Henry is a beast, but how does this sound?
NG: Glasgow
---Mone
DT: Hurst
---???? :-)
SDE: Wormley
---Charlton
I'll take the 2 deep with those 6 players and STILL dominate.
That said, Mario isn't coming back and Henry IS a BEAST. My fingers are crossed that he comes back for one more year.
January 1st, 2016 at 9:33 PM ^
I guess some people disagree with me...maybe we won't dominate next year?
January 1st, 2016 at 5:51 PM ^
Mone had said everyone was coming back. I hope he's right.
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January 1st, 2016 at 5:54 PM ^
Except for the small matter of Mario O and RJS. Unless Harbaugh found 2 loopholes.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:51 PM ^
Why isn't this is a posbang? I don't understand this post.
January 1st, 2016 at 6:41 PM ^
of you would understand
January 1st, 2016 at 5:52 PM ^
For him to go. He doesn't need an Ojemudia type injury in his 5th season.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:52 PM ^
Please, one more year big fella!
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January 1st, 2016 at 5:53 PM ^
Henry is gone.
I don't see any advantage in staying. I don't see him getting much better.
Lewis should go too.
I think Butt and Wormley made the correct decision in staying.
January 1st, 2016 at 6:04 PM ^
Ogre's been disruptive seemingly whenever he wants to over his football career... the problem was that he didn't seem to want to very often during his first three years...this year was different and with one more year of development, he could be a world destroyer.
January 1st, 2016 at 6:06 PM ^
A world destroyer? Oh shit.
January 1st, 2016 at 11:43 PM ^
Galactus Henry
January 1st, 2016 at 6:08 PM ^
I think he is what he is at this point, and he is very good, don't think he's a first round talent either way, so go cash in now.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:54 PM ^
I think another year would be the smart choice for him. You turn down some guaranteed money and risk injury, but next year's line is going to be ridiculous. There are going to be lots of opportunities to show really well to scouts next year as offenses will have to pick their poison. If Michigan's offense continues to improve, Michigan is going to be in the national spotlight all season.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:53 PM ^
If he can get paid he should go...more important things than one more year where he can get injured and lose it all on one play. Best of luck to him either way. Go Blue
January 1st, 2016 at 5:58 PM ^
Late rounds money is not good enough to leave, if he's got a good shot at moving up. He's got just as much chance for a career ending injury in the NFL in year one as he does here, but the upside to staying is better (not to mention a Michigan degree).
January 1st, 2016 at 6:03 PM ^
Can't he just come back and finish his degree after his playing career is over?
January 1st, 2016 at 6:46 PM ^
The degree is a side benefit, having a chance raise your draft stock is the main reason.
January 1st, 2016 at 7:33 PM ^
Well, that's why he's trying to find out how high his stock is right now right? If I was projected for the 2nd round (and there was and never will be any danger of such a thing in my life) I'd go, but that's just me
January 1st, 2016 at 8:32 PM ^
Yes, I agree, but your post seemed like he shouod go if he could get drafted at all. I really don't think he's close to a second rounder right now, though.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:55 PM ^
I mean, he'll get drafted, but not high enough to leave early I would think
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January 1st, 2016 at 5:56 PM ^
Gary, come on down!
1/2 in jest. I hope Henry stays - he was fantastic in the last many games. But like you mentioned, our DL is deep, and if Gary commits, he'll take those snaps as well.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:56 PM ^
something special.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:57 PM ^
Gotta do what is best for him. Good news would be he'd keep the NFL draft streak alive.
January 1st, 2016 at 5:58 PM ^
Did he graduate? Seems like he's set himself up well and can't go wrong but I hope he's on track to get his degree.