Henry follows family footsteps to Fayetteville
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Arkansas gained another outside linebacker Monday evening when Little Rock (Ark.) Pulaski Academy's Hayden Henry decided to continue his family's tradition of playing for the Razorbacks.
Henry, 6-3, 215, is the son of former Razorback Mark Henry and the younger brother of current Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry, who won the 2015 Mackey Award as a Hog.
Hayden held scholarship offers from Air Force, UCA, Missouri State and Navy, but the Hogs' opportunity was too good to pass up. He will be a blue-shirt addition for the Razorbacks, meaning his scholarship will come after the fall semester begins and will then be counted forward in the 2018 class.
"I'm excited, I'm pumped," Hayden Henry told HawgSports.com. "They offered me last Sunday and I drove up to Fayetteville and met with Coach (Bret) Bielema. I kind of narrowed my schools down to Air Force and Arkansas, and I decided to take an official visit at Air Force this weekend.
"I got home from that visit and just didn't see myself at Air Force. I knew Arkansas was a place that I can feel comfortable and be happy, but also play big-time football. That's what I want to do.
"It means a lot to me to follow in their footsteps. I guess you could say we're kind of starting a family legacy at Arkansas. Following them, it's an honor, but I'm excited to make my own name too."
Hayden burst onto the scene as a senior in 2016 when he was named Arkansas' Defensive Player of the Year after recording 93 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 16 pass break-ups.
Hayden said he understands why his recruitment wasn't the same as his oldest brother's, but he's used it as motivation to reach this point.
"I've always had a chip on my shoulder," Hayden said. "My brothers both grew real early. Hunter's had a lot of success and my little brother (2019 tight end Hudson Henry) is going to be a big-time recruit. But I grew real late, so I've always kind of had to play with this edge, with a little bit of anger inside of me.
"That's what I bring to the table for a team. I'm going to go out there and play my heart out every time I step on the field."
Hunter Henry said Arkansas fans will be pleased with their latest addition.
"So excited for him," Hunter Henry said. "He's an absolute stud and deserves all this and more. He is such a hard worker and is an awesome kid. I love him and looking forward to watching his growth and future."
The youngest Henry, Hudson, is expected to be a national-type recruit and is already a major target of the Razorbacks.