Besides being one of the best interviews in college football, the Wisconsin Badgers Aaron Henry is also a talented prospect at the safety position.
The senior Henry will enter the NFL Draft this spring and as of now ranks as a top-five safety. With a strong showing prior to the draft, he could go as high as the second round, but shouldn’t go any lower than the third or fourth round.
On the football field, Aaron excels at playing both the safety and cornerback positions. Henry started his career at Wisconsin from the defensive back position before transitioning to safety in his final two years. This could be particularly intriguing for an NFL team, considering how the league has become so pass-happy. He has a lot of patience and rarely gets beat over the top by opposing offenses.
The biggest knack on Henry is his tackling. He’s been known to whiff on defenders from time-to-time and doesn’t have the large body-size to to take down big receivers with ease. He’s not a horrible tackler, but it’s not his strong suit.
For these reasons, Henry excels in pass defense, but plays below average against the run. That’s not saying he can’t get better at recognizing running backs and attacking as he does have great speed.
Henry’s most enduring quality is his character. His work ethic is exceptional and he’s also a natural leader. His ability to lead a team makes him a locker room favorite and a team-motivated individual. He also has above average intelligence with All-Academic Big Ten status.
In regards to durability, Henry is a slight risk as he did undergo surgery on a torn ACL in 2008. Other than that, he’s been a full participant in the Badgers’ back-to-back trips to the Rose Bowl.
Unless Henry impresses NFL Scouts dramatically before the NFL Draft, I think he sticks in the third or fourth round range. However, he does have the speed and intangibles to surprise some teams, giving him the opportunity to move up if the right team likes him.
What do you think of Aaron Henry’s prospective career in the NFL? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.