Michigan football: A special player for a special (and expanded) role
Michigan has its share of offensive weapons, loaded at the skill positions headed into the 2022 season. It’s so good, in fact, that one of its offensive players of the year last season — Mike Sainristil — will be playing defense.
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Receivers, quarterbacks, running backs — they’ve got them all, and in spades.
But they also have versatile players who can do it all, and one in particular expected to play a much bigger role in 2022.
Junior A.J. Henning played 14 games at wide receiver last year, returning punts in 12 and kickoffs in two. He caught 10 passes for 79 yards and carried nine times for 162 yards with two touchdowns, adding one kickoff return touchdown.
This year, he’ll be asked to do even more.
“A.J. Henning we’re experimenting with at running back. It’s not really the experimental stage,” Harbaugh said. “He’s got the skillset to do it. We kind of envision a Deebo Samuel [San Francisco 49ers] type of role … ways to get him more touches, ways to get him the ball more.”
Patience was key for dynamic Michigan talent
It wasn’t always easy waiting for it to happen, the Michigan third-year standout admitted.
“It was kind of difficult my freshman year because COVID and everything was a big factor,” he said from the Chicago Megacamp a few weeks back, not far from his home. “Last year I just really saw an opportunity to take a step forward in the offense, especially my role as far as special teams being able to be a kick and punt returner toward the end of the season. My biggest goal is to keep building on that, keep helping the team any way I can.”
His reverse for the first touchdown in a Michigan win over Ohio State was one example of how dangerous he can be with the ball in his hands. He embraces the Samuel role and believes it’s perfect for him.
“For sure,” he said. “My background as far as playing football — I played running back in the past. In high school I did a little bit of both, causing mismatches, getting everybody in the best opportunity to help the team. That’s really important. That’s really what it’s all about. Me being put in that role is going to cause mismatches going to increase my chances in the offense as well to make plays.”
He continues to get better as a return man, too. It takes focus to be a great punt returner, he said — guts, too, of course — and he’s working on it every chance he gets.
“[Guts] is a big one,” he said with a grin. “Working your craft every day. It’s something I work on every time I’m on the field. Even being home at this time, my friend is a kicker at Miami (Ohio) and he’s kicking to me. I’m just focusing on the little details and trying to be as good as I can.”
And he’s getting better and better. The Michigan offense has the playmakers to be much better than last year, he insisted. They also have the coaches to make it happen.
“We’ll take that next step,” he said.
If they do, he’ll likely be a big part.
