Redshirt junior defensive tackle Willie Henry declared for the NFL Draft on Wednesday night. The 6’3″, 311-pounder started 9 games at defensive tackle this past season. He tallied 34 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 2 pass breakups. He flirted with the idea of leaving after his redshirt sophomore season, but decided to return for another year.
When Henry’s 2012 recruiting class wrapped, I pegged him as the most underrated recruit (LINK). After redshirting as a true freshman, he was a part-time starter for the next three years, totaling 86 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 1 interception (for a 7-yard TD against Utah in 2014), and 2 pass breakups.
Henry joins a long list of Big Ten players entering the draft early (LINK), including six defensive tackles from the conference alone. On the one hand, it seems like a mistake for Henry to leave, because he is not projected as a first- or second-round pick. On the other hand, I don’t know that returning next year would improve his draft stock. He has been inconsistent in his college career, but he has shown what he can do. This year he showed that he can rush the passer. Last year he showed some surprising athleticism with the pick-six. He has blasted offensive guards backward. He has chased running backs to the sideline. Some NFL team will be getting a very athletic 3-tech tackle who can be near dominant when he’s motivated.
As for Michigan, the Wolverines are down to 89 scholarships accounted for in 2016 (LINK). At least four more players must depart from the team or recruiting class to make room for the incoming freshmen. The Wolverines should be fine on the defensive line because of quality depth. Henry would have been a starter again next year, so somebody must step up into his spot. With fifth year senior Ryan Glasgow and redshirt sophomore Bryan Mone both coming back from injury next season, they should be able to hold down the nose tackle spot. That may allow redshirt junior Maurice Hurst, Jr. to slide over from nose tackle to 3-tech, which would probably be more suitable to his 282 lb. frame. Michigan can also use fifth year senior Chris Wormley, fifth year senior Matt Godin (if he returns), or perhaps an incoming freshman to start in Henry’s place.
Henry follows tight end/wide receiver Devin Funchess as an early NFL Draft entrant. Funchess, who left after his junior year, was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the 2nd round (#41 overall) of the 2015 Draft. Prior to Funchess, the last player to leave Michigan early for the NFL was cornerback Donovan Warren, who was undrafted in 2010.
