Our rookie scouting reports combine film and analytics to provide the best possible predictions for player performance. With the 2023 NFL Draft less than two weeks away, let’s take a look at the scouting report for Clemson EDGE K.J. Henry.
K.J. Henry NFL Draft Profile
- Position: EDGE
- School: Ole Miss
- Year: Redshirt Senior
Henry was a five-star recruit out of West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, North Carolina. As a highly touted prospect, Henry was already drawing interest from colleges following his sophomore year of high school. After several offers from some of the best programs in the country, Henry chose to play college football at Clemson.
As a freshman, Henry was limited to just four games and six total tackles, so he qualified for redshirt status.
In his redshirt freshman season, Henry was more active. He played in 11 games, registering 23 total tackles, two sacks, three passes defended, 12 total pressures, eight QB hurries, and two QB hits.
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As a redshirt sophomore in 2020, Henry played in 12 games. He recorded 23 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two passes defended. He also added 16 total pressures, eight QB hurries, and five QB hits.
2021 was Henry’s redshirt junior year. He played in all 13 games, amassing 21 total tackles, four sacks, 23 total pressures, 13 QB hurries, and five QB hits.
Rather than enter the 2022 NFL Draft, Henry returned to Clemson for his redshirt senior campaign. He posted his best season yet, totaling 51 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and six passes defended in 14 games. Henry also logged an impressive 50 total pressures, 31 QB hurries, and 14 QB hits.
Overall, during his time at Clemson, Henry racked up 63 solo tackles, 61 assisted tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and 11 passes defended.
Tony Pauline’s Scouting Report for K.J. Henry
Strengths: Undersized college pass rusher who can stand over tackle or come out of a three-point stance. Shows a lot of power, quickness, and speed. Quick off the snap, effective with his hands, and displays a variety of moves to protect himself or get off blocks. Breaks down well and plays with proper knee bend.
Easily changes direction or immediately alters his angle of attack. Bends the edge with speed and can flatten then pursue the action from the backside. Can be dropped off the line on zone blitzes, gets depth on pass drops, and makes plays in space. Easily redirects to the action. Plays faster than his 40 time.
Weaknesses: Lacks bulk and gets smothered by blockers. Lacks great athletic numbers for the next level.
Overall: Henry was a solid defensive front-seven player who made a lot of tackles against the run and made plays behind the line of scrimmage. He showed a great deal of ability and athleticism during Senior Bowl practices and offers possibilities at the next level as a situational pass rusher in a 3-4.
K.J. Henry Combine Measurements and Results
- Height: 6’4 1/4″
- Weight: 251 pounds
- Arm Length: 33″
- Hand Size: 10″
- Bench Press: N/A
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.63
Clemson EDGE K.J. Henry Current Draft Projection
On Tony Pauline’s Big Board, Henry ranks 201st overall and is projected to go in the sixth round. With a 3.37 grade, he is Pauline’s DE16 in this class.
Obviously, Henry’s college career didn’t exactly play out in accordance with his recruiting rating. While Henry almost certainly did enough to get drafted, he is far from the first-round talent recruiters thought they were getting when he entered college.
Collegiate production is the best predictive indicator of NFL success, and Henry simply didn’t post very impressive numbers during any of his seasons at Clemson. His final season was his best one, but it was also when he was already 23 years old, giving him quite the advantage over younger, smaller opponents.
MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Big Board
Henry does have a couple of things going for him. He’s a very good athlete, which gives NFL coaches something to work with. And he was also an elite high school prospect. That means, at one point, scouts believed he had the potential to be an elite NFL player. Therefore, NFL coaches may be willing to take a shot at possibly unlocking that potential.
Given his size and pedigree, I’m confident Henry will get drafted. So, at the very least, he will get a chance to work with NFL coaches and prove he belongs on a roster.
While simply earning a spot on an active roster would be a success, Henry’s ceiling is a bit higher than your typical Day 3 pick. We seldom see Day 3 players ever become more than rotational role players, but if anyone can break through, it would be a guy like Henry.