Clemson football defensive end KJ Henry has huge upside. The redshirt freshman is going to play a ton of snaps in 2019 for the Tigers.
Through the next couple of weeks, we will be giving you our redshirt report for each Clemson football player that redshirted in 2018.
Many of these Tigers that redshirted will make huge impacts in 2019. We already took a look at Jamie Skalski and Cornell Powell, two juniors that chose to redshirt and keep two years of eligibility.
Now, we’ll begin our look at the true-freshmen that redshirted in 2018 and will now be classified as redshirt freshmen in 2019.
Let’s take a look at talented defensive end KJ Henry.
Analysis:
KJ Henry was a 5-star prospect coming out of high school a year ago. He was more than talented enough to play a ton of snaps at the collegiate level in 2018.
The problem was the depth and talent already on campus in front of him.
The coaches played Henry in four games and then elected to redshirt him, saving a year of eligibility and allowing him to train harder for 2019.
Henry will play the opposite-side defensive end spot of Xavier Thomas. He has the ability to rush the passer and set the edge and I’m really looking forward to seeing how he improved through this season.
Where does he fit?
KJ Henry will be competing for a starting position on that defensive line this season. He’ll be competing with Justin Foster, most likely, in that spot replacing Austin Bryant.
I think you’ll see the two Tigers split time at the spot, getting just about even snaps. Eventually, Henry will be the starter at that spot, in my opinion.
He’s just too good and too explosive to keep off the field. I believe you’ll see Foster begin as the starter because of the veteran rule, but then Henry will eventually begin running out with the first-teamers.
You’ll still a healthy dose of Foster throughout the season as the two man that spot.