Carolinas Shrine Bowl: 5-star KJ Henry just over a week from committing

Five-star K.J. Henry is just over a week from his December 20th commitment. The Clemmons (N.C.) West Forsyth defensive end shed some light on his recruitment at check in for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

IN HIS OWN WORDS…

"The Georgia in-home visit did not happen yet, Henry said. "With all the coaches moving around a lot, it's been hard to get them schedule. My family and I probably could have done a better job of scheduling them sooner. I'm at this Shrine Bowl all week this week so we lost a week for those in-home visits.

"Luckily, I spoke to coach Sherrer before he left Georgia, he said. "He came to see me and we talked about coach Smart and those guys. Coach Sherrer leaving isn't necessarily a big deal to me. He was one of my favorite coaches but, in the sense of them moving down my list, it's not a factor until I see who they hire. My relationships with coach Smart and coach Tucker are so good that it doesn't hurt anything. I'm just waiting to see who they pick up. If I have a good relationship with that person it could end up very well.

"I have started to go through things in my mind a little bit (heading into my commitment)," said Henry. "I've been thinking about different scenarios. I've been thinking about my opportunities to get on the field. Coach Muschamp said it very well. He asked me when the last time it was that I sat on the bench. It's not necessarily that wherever I go I'll sit on the bench or be the prime starter right out of the gate but an opportunity to contribute is the main thing. I think all five schools develop players really well and have very good relationships with my family. It's going to be a tight race.

"Alabama not getting an official visit doesn't eliminate them but it does set them back," he said. "I've been to Alabama so many times that I already know everything that I need to about them. Alabama continues to fight back and play hard for all four quarters. They're always going to have a chance for a championship. That's my big thing with them. I feel like I'd be a good fit for them. If coach Tosh gets moved up to the defensive coordinator position it would be great. I have a great relationship with him. That would really help them. It will be good to see what their commits do and what plays out with the other recruits.

"My relationships at Clemson are big," Henry said. "Over the years and going to camps the coaches have built relationships with my family and me before the recruiting process even started. The team is doing big things and doing them the right way. The opportunity there is looking good as well.

"A lot of people don't realize how much I actually like Virginia Tech," he said. "They're a sleeper for me. Coach Fuente has been hitting me up the most out of any coach. The fact that a lot of my good friends are going there and live less that 30 minutes from me right now is the main pitch for me.

"Coach Muschamp came by the school and said I could be a trailblazer at South Carolina," said Henry. "Jadeveon Clowney did it a couple years ago. As far as things moving around on the team and people leaving, I'd definitely have the ability to come in with an opportunity to get a lot of playing time or start. They have one of the biggest opportunities for me."

RIVALS' REACTION

Throughout Henry's recruitment it has felt like Clemson was the leader. It still feels like that but his comments on Virginia Tech and South Carolina make the race feel a lot closer. Will Muschamp has clearly made a huge impression on Henry and, if playing time is really as big a factor as Henry is making it seem, South Carolina could be a bigger contender than people realize. In the end, it still feels like relationships will win out and that means Clemson will probably end up signing Henry over the rest of the schools in his top five.