The Wolverine

March 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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2012 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Willie Henry Is A Sleeper In The 2012 Class Defensive Tackle strong pipeline for top-notch defensive talent to the Cleve- land area, and one high school in particular: Glenville. First, there was Pierre Woods, who enjoyed a four-year Over the last decade, the Wolverines have built quite a career with the Maize and Blue in which he tallied 121 tack- les, including 24 for loss, from 2002-05. Then, Frank Clark joined Michigan head coach Brady sive tackle prospect who just may be the biggest sleeper in the 2012 class. Henry shares more than an alma mater with Woods and Clark. All three had the type of athleticism that makes them matchup nightmares at their respective positions. "He's an athlete down there at defensive tackle," Glen- Hoke's first recruiting class and made his way onto the field as a true freshman in 2011, notching a game-changing interception in the Wolverines' 23-20 overtime win over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl. Now, there's Willie Henry, a relatively unheralded defen- ville head coach Ted Ginn Sr. said. "He's a 270-pound kid that can run a 4.7 — just a great athlete. He's not your typi- cal defensive tackle. He has the athleticism to step out and play defensive end. He could play linebacker. He could be a tight end, a fullback — he has the tools to play anywhere. "That's rare. You don't find an athlete with that mold who can move like that. He can move his feet. "He hasn't really grown into his body, yet. He can bulk up — he's a great-looking kid." Henry may be a three-star recruit who lacks the marquee Henry, who bulked up by more than 40 pounds after his junior cam- paign, picked U-M over Cincinnati and Pittsburgh after getting a last- minute offer from the Wolverines. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM him to slip through the recruiting cracks. Although he picked up offers from BCS-level schools such as Syracuse and Pittsburgh, big-time schools like Michigan didn't call until the last minute. "I really can't say why Michigan got up with him so quality of some of the other blue-chip signees in the Wol- verines' 2012 class, but the coaches at Glenville certainly have high praise for the 6-3, 273-pound defensive tackle. "He's definitely going to be a gem in this class," Glenville offensive coordinator Tony Overton said. "Willie was the best defensive tackle in the state of Ohio. He's going to be a force at that position." Henry will certainly have to bulk up to play at the next level, just as nearly every incoming freshman must do. But he's no stranger to hitting the gym. As a junior, Henry had the athleticism that Ginn raved about, but the size wasn't there, yet. He weighed in at about 230 pounds, hardly big enough to play along the in- terior line at the high school level, let alone collegiately. The summer leading into his senior year, he hit team diately made plans to visit Ann Arbor and came north the weekend before National Signing Day. "I talked with Coach Hoke and [defensive coordinator] late," Overton said. "He had some offers here and there. I'm just glad that Michigan has him now. It's always nice to send a kid up there. I really feel that Michigan really has the two best defensive players from Ohio in the last two years [in Henry and Clark]." When he got the call from the Wolverines, Henry imme- Greg Mattison. It was great," Henry said. "The coaches, the tradition, everything felt right. I talked with my parents and we felt like this would be the best opportunity." He had an opportunity to speak with Clark, and came away even more impressed. "He had all great things to say, and he was excited to see camps at Pittsburgh and Syracuse and the weight room — and became a force inside. "During his junior year, he was a hard worker and a another Glenville player come up here," Henry said. Henry will have an opportunity to compete for playing great kid, but that offseason, he worked his butt off," Overton said. "We didn't really know what to expect from Willie — but, whatever expectations we had, he absolutely exceeded them. That first ball game this year, you could tell he was something special. "You really can't find what Willie has. It's so rare. What he possesses is God-given. And what he's doing with it is great — he's working his tail off. I can't wait to see him in the Maize and Blue." Henry's late-blooming size may have been what allowed 54 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2012 he sees Henry's Wolverine highlights. "I want him to stay humble, work his tail off, and stay time in the fall, while the Wolverines reassemble the defen- sive line after the loss of three starters from the 2011 unit. Whatever happens, Overton is just waiting until the day spiritual. On the field, I expect big things from Willie," Overton said. "I really do. Willie is in the same position as Frank. If he gets acclimated to what Michigan wants him to do, I don't see him not being on the field. As long as he takes care of business, playing football and going to school, they sky is the limit." — Andy Reid

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