Name: A.J. Henning
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Frankfort (IL) Lincoln-Way East
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #3
Last year: I ranked Henning #23 and said he would be a backup wide receiver and starting kick returner with 14 catches for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns (LINK). He caught 10 passes for 79 yards and ran 9 times for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 86
Henning had a chance to step up in 2021 after speedy gadget guy Giles Jackson transferred to Washington prior to the season. And Henning didn't miss a beat. While he didn't establish himself as a versatile receiver, he became the end around guy and scored on a 74-yard touchdown run in the first game. He also added a kickoff return for a touchdown against Maryland and a touchdown run against Ohio State. Henning also stepped in to replace injured punt returner Ronnie Bell after the coaches initially tried Caden Kolesar in Bell's stead.
I expect more of the same from Henning in 2022. There's no reason to expect fewer end arounds or jet sweeps, and his share of the passing targets probably can't get much smaller. There's also a good chance that he ends up handling punt returns and/or kickoff returns. I will be interested to see if Bell takes punt return duties back or if that experiment has ended. Overall, Henning can do a little bit of everything - rushing, receiving, punt returning, and kickoff returning - but if he's not available for some reason, I think there are other guys who can absorb his role without a huge dropoff.
Prediction: Starting kickoff and punt returner, backup wide receiver
Versatile! In previous years, he'd be the kinda player we're relying on as our best. On this roster, you're right: while versatile & valuable, we've got guys who can absorb ea of his roles
ReplyDeleteHard not to be excited about this season
I'm hopeful Henning can take on an even bigger share of return duties. Michigan always values special teams highly and is willing to use starters here but I'd like to see Bell and especially Corum focus on their offensive positional duties.
ReplyDeleteStill just a junior, there is untapped potential in Henning. Sainristil moving to D opens the door a bit but the freshman are coming and Bell/Wilson/Johnson are the "Big 3" ahead of him at WR.
Henning reportedly did some RB duties in the spring so I think he could be a key backup there, particularly if Edwards has to miss any time. With Edwards ascending into the #2 role I wonder if there's room for Henning to do some of the things our #3 RB did last year. Giles Jackson, Donovan Edwards, Vincent Smith have all been some degree of a RB/WR hybrid but I don't recall seeing Henning lining up in the backfield yet.
I didn't consider Henning a top 30 rank player because of the last line: "other guys who can absorb his role without a huge dropoff." But he could be a big asset on special teams to prove this wrong.
DeleteAJ Henning with experience .I like it!
ReplyDelete