Henry finally gets to ink deal with CMU
Morris defensive tackle Kevin Henry is ready to take the next step on the gridiron. What started out two years ago as a quest to see if anyone thought he was capable of taking his game to the next level culminated on Wednesday's National Signing Day with putting his pen forward in favor of Central Michigan.
"I signed the papers at 7 a.m. in the coaches' office," Henry proudly proclaimed. "It's a relief to get it over with. I've been going at this since my sophomore year and it's been non-stop hectic."
Part of the reason for that came this past season when then CMU head coach Butch Jones left the Chippewas to take over at Cincinnati for the departed Brian Kelly (Notre Dame). Henry, who committed early to CMU to avoid such a dilemma, then had to start the process all over again.
"When I (verbally) committed early, I was 100 percent sure that's where I wanted to go. Right from the first time I went there, I knew," Henry said. "But when they made the coaching change, I had to start the whole thing over. What had taken me two years then had to be crammed into one month."
CMU ended up naming Dan Enos as the new head coach. While Enos was brought in from Michigan State to keep the program at the highest of levels, Henry had to re-evaluate the situation.
"I visited Northern Illinois University and Akron and it was really good I got to do that," Henry said. "It was another way to compare Central Michigan to other places and it made me strengthen my commitment."
At the same time, Enos was reportedly pouring over tapes of the players that had already been recruited, including those of Henry.
"They watched film on all the players who had committed," Henry said. "He (Enos) said that he had seen me play and they decided to keep me and my scholarship."
Henry estimated that he has been to the CMU campus "six or seven times" over the years but that he got to meet Enos for the first time last weekend on his final official visit.
"I really like him a lot. I think he's bringing in a great staff. It's reminding me of everything I fell in love with about the school," Henry said. "It's going to be the same place as far as the way football is concerned. We're still going to win championships and the tradition is always going to be there."
Staying at a place which is rich with tradition is familiar to Henry. He said that getting the chance to play at Morris for the Redskins has undoubtedly helped his scholarship chances.
"I think at other places it might be harder to get looked at, but everyone knows Morris," he said. "It would be a lot different if I weren't from a big-time football school."
Henry said he is going to miss the days of playing football with his best friends while also thanking his family and his coaches along the way.
"I'd like to thank all of my coaches and all of the support I've gotten from my family," he said.
According to Henry's parents Jim and Wendy, the valuable coaching that their son has received in Morris is certainly appreciated.
"My wife and I are very excited for Kevin. Kevin has been a multi-sport athlete his whole life but football had been his favorite since playing for the Warriors as a youth," Jim Henry said. "As parents, while we're certainly happy about Kevin getting a free education, we are even more excited about Kevin being able to realize his dream of being able to play the sport he loves at the Division I level.
"We would like to thank those who helped along the way. Andy Niewinski, who taught him football fundamentals at ICS when he played flag football, Mark Metille and the Warriors' coaches that founded the youth program and instilled his love of the game and, of course, George Dergo and his staff that guided him to his present level of play," he added. "We are excited for the opportunity he has been given and invite everyone to take the opportunity to watch him when Central Michigan is on television."
Dergo certainly thinks that Henry, as well as the rest of the folks on the MCHS campus, has had a great opportunity at seeing future success.
"It's a great opportunity for Kevin to go onto college and play for a program that has shown it can battle with the best teams in the nation," Dergo said. "It's another example of how our kids at MCHS are working hard and making it to the next level.
"We all wish him the best of luck. He'll certainly have a lot of fans from Morris watching him. His success helps put Morris in a good light," he added. "He's a great role model for the other kids at the school because now they know what a Division I athlete looks like."
