Michigan Football: Wolverines’ Mid-Season Standouts

Oct 10, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) is sacked by Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Willie Henry (69) in the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Willie Henry has been a wrecking ball for Michigan’s defensive line. He’s made five starts and leads the Wolverines with 9.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks.

Henry has had consistency problems in the past—both with production and health—but he’s turned a corner this season and has become Michigan’s most explosive defensive lineman.

A big part of what makes Henry a valuable asset to Michigan’s front is his versatility, which is a requirement if you’re going to make your presence felt while going back and forth between a 3-4 and 4-3 look. Henry has the right size and explosiveness to move inside on a 4-3 defense, and then he can just to the edge when the defense moves to a 3-4.

Henry has always had his moments in the past, but he’s put together a nice body of work through seven games and is a pivotal part of Michigan’s success on defense.

As long as he stays healthy and is able to avoid a slump in the second half of the season, he’s a player you could count on seeing listed on All-Big Ten teams and maybe even All-American teams. The numbers are going to be there.

Next: TE A.J. Williams