The Vols have a need for elite defensive linemen in the 2020 class. After loading up on highly-rated and productive offensive linemen in the 2019 class, Tennessee is looking to do the same on the defensive line in this cycle. One of the Vols’ top targets along the defensive line is set to take an official visit to Knoxville this upcoming weekend.
Darrion Henry is a four-star defensive tackle who plays for Princeton High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. According to Quinton Douglas of Vol Recruiting Reports, Henry will officially visit the Vols this upcoming weekend, making his first trip to Knoxville since March.
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Henry is rated as the No. 118 overall prospect, No. 11 defensive tackle, and No. 2 player in the state of Ohio. He holds over two dozen scholarship offers, but he released a list of his top six teams back in April, and Tennessee made the cut along with Georgia, Ohio State, LSU, Kentucky, and Cincinnati.
The 6-foot-5, 279-pound lineman has visited Tennessee three times in the last year already, and his official visit will mark his fourth. He made a trip to campus in June of 2018, returned for a Junior Day event on January 26th of this year, and he made the trip to Knoxville again in March with his two highly-rated teammates, five-star offensive tackle and Ohio State commit Paris Johnson Jr. and four-star linebacker Jaheim Thomas.
Speaking of Thomas, one of Henry’s teammates, he also included the Vols in his list of top teams just a week ago. Tennessee made Thomas’ top seven schools, meaning the Vols are in a good spot with two of the highly-rated Princeton High School products.
So far, Henry has taken an official visit to LSU and has one planned for Ohio State the weekend after he takes his official visit to Knoxville.
Henry is a force along the defensive line for Princeton. He can play a variety of roles, lining up inside, outside, or standing up. Wherever he’s positioned, he can make plays. Henry is a strong player who uses his upper body leverage to bully his way past offensive linemen. He isn’t just a one-trick pony, though; Henry already knows a few moves and doesn’t just rely on his superior strength to get by blockers. He even plays a little offense for Princeton, further showing off his utility and versatility.
As a junior for Princeton, Henry racked up 61 tackles, 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 10 recorded games according to the Greater Miami Conference website.
Henry’s versatility is a big plus for him, but it looks like he’ll be more of a defensive tackle in college rather than a defensive end. Regardless, he has the tools and skill set to be an effective interior player.
Our Take:
Pulling Henry away from Ohio State is going to be a tough task. The Buckeyes seem to be the favorite, and Henry has visited there multiple times over the past year. But he’s also taken several visits to Tennessee in the last 12 months, too. Right now, Tennessee and Ohio State look to be the top two teams for Henry, but anything could happen over the next few months. The Vols have positioned themselves well with Henry, and they also have a good relationship with his teammates.
