Tennessee’s new coaching staff is making tight end a priority in the Vols’ offense. They added two tight ends in the 2018 signing class, including top junior college tight end and four-star Dominick Wood-Anderson. Alabama used plenty of two and three tight end sets while Pruitt was coaching there, and it’s apparent that he wants to continue that while at Tennessee.
And on Monday, the Vols put out an offer to the nation’s top high school tight end in the 2019 class.
Hudson Henry, a four-star tight end out of Little Rock, Arkansas, picked up an offer from the Vols on Monday. He’s the No. 1 tight end in the 2019 class according to 247Sports, and their composite rankings have him as the No. 37 overall player in the country.
I’m excited to announce that I have been offered by the University of Tennessee! #GoVols pic.twitter.com/dyVhNOjtax
— Hudson Henry (@hudsonhenry84) February 19, 2018
If his last name sounds familiar, that’s because his older brother, Hunter, was a standout tight end for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Hunter Henry was a three-time All-SEC player and was voted both a freshman All-American and a true All-American in his junior season. Henry was drafted in the second round by the then-San Diego Chargers and has been in the NFL for three seasons. He caught 116 passes for 1,661 yards and nine scores at Arkansas.
And now his little brother will have the chance to continue the family legacy in 2019.
The Vols are going up against schools like Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Arkansas to try and land Henry. The Razorbacks are, of course, viewed as the favorite to land the younger Henry right now.
Hudson takes after his brother in that he’s extremely agile and athletic for a tight end. His highlight film showcases his ability to make difficult catches and displays his deceptive speed as well. Henry has soft hands and isn’t easy to bring down. At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, he could use to add some more weight. But he’s versatile and even lined up as a wide receiver many times for Pulaski Academy. He’s a very physical player who seeks out contact and is effective in pass blocking as well.
As a junior, Henry brought down 72 catches for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns according to Max Preps.
Tennessee will have quite a battle on their hands to try and land Henry. Arkansas has the easy advantage with his brother being a legend there, and other top schools around the country will be after him as well. But don’t expect Jeremy Pruitt and his staff to give up easily; they want top tier tight ends to come play at Tennessee.
