An Arkansas legacy with a Stanford offer, Henry keeping an open mind

Little Rock, Arkansas tight end Hudson Henry is a 2019 four star with two offers, one from the home state Razorbacks and from Stanford. Of course, Stanford fans who follow recruiting recognize the Henry family name and Pulaski Academy, where older brother Hunter played and was a Stanford target for the 2013 class.

Hudson’s father played football at Arkansas and his grandfather played basketball in Fayetteville. At this point there is a family tradition to be offered an opportunity to be an athlete at the SEC school, but Hudson is keeping an open mind, and the offer from Stanford made an impact.

“I was overwhelmed that Stanford was offering me,” he said. “It just means the world to me. It left me speechless.”

Hunter visited Stanford before he committed to Arkansas, which was the fulfillment of a childhood dream, and one Hudson remembered thinking they weren’t sure would happen for either of them.

“When Hunter got offered by the Hogs we were surprised because we never thought we’d be able to play college football,” he said. “It was awesome for him. We were elated. It was just such an honor to play for the same school my dad played for.

“We’ve been there so long, and it’s so close to home, that it was so easy for Hunter to make a decision. But Stanford is such a great school. It’s a hard decision because Stanford will likely set me up for life.”

There was an understandable assumption by people around Hudson that when Arkansas offered it represented the first and only offer that would matter. But the 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end isn’t pushed around easily by defenders, or the views people may have about where he should go to school.

“The legacy runs deep in my family, but I’m not just going to be … all these other people have been trying to tell me, ‘Just go to Arkansas, man,’” he said. “I’m trying to have my opinion and not be taken away by other people’s opinions. I want to keep my options open and keep what works best for me.”

Henry isn’t sure when it will happen, but he is eager to visit Stanford, and one goal beyond the usual tour of the idyllic campus is he wants to get a sense of the dynamic among the players.

“I’m a team player and I love the way a team works,” he said. “My main focus is looking at how a school’s team works. Being able to see how they are as teammates, how they treat each other, that’s what I want to be a part of is great relationships.”

Henry is in the early goings of building a connection with the Stanford coaches, but he is well aware of Stanford’s run of success at the tight end position. He named Austin Hooper and Zach Ertz as tight ends he’s watched.

“It’s good to see that because that’s what you’re looking for: How is that school going to develop me as a person and as a player to go the next level?”