Clemson DL K.J. Henry to return to the Tigers next season

The Clemson Tigers needed some good news on Monday.

Clemson Sports’ Matt Connolly confirmed today that Todd Bates is set to reunite with Brent Venables at Oklahoma. Bates was not only Clemson’s defensive tackles coach, but he was their recruiting coordinator and assistant head coach as well.

This is a tough loss, but it was just revealed that the Tigers will be retaining one of their top players.

K.J. Henry, who had the option to enter the 2022 NFL Draft, announced this afternoon that he’s returning to Clemson.

“But I can’t start thanking everybody and saying my goodbyes, because we got more memories to make,” Henry said in a social media post. “The adversity this team endured this year was never something we wanted, but what God knew we needed.

“The responses and the fight of my guys this past season is what made it even easier to make this decision, because I know EXACTLY who I’m coming back to.”

Henry is a key piece in Clemson’s defense

Keeping Henry on the roster for their 2022 campaign is crucial for more reasons than one.

First off, Henry brings the right combination of experience, leadership, and talent needed at that position. With Xavier Thomas moving on from the program, Henry will assume that leadership role come next season.

According to Clemson’s official website, Henry recorded 20 total tackles, 13 of which were solo. He also had 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble while playing all 13 games.

Secondly, Clemson has yet to add any defensive linemen to their 2022 class to this point. Myles Murphy is still there, but a departure from Henry would have raised some concerns about both the depth at the position and who would replace his production.

Luckily, the Tigers and their fan base don’t have to worry about that later this year.

In his post, Henry also reflected on his time at Clemson when revealing his decision to come back.

“I made the decision to come to this great university four years ago and have been through so much more than I had every imagined for myself,” Henry wrote. “Getting my bachelor’s and master’s in four years, winning a natty and just laughing so much with these guys I call teammates, all while making my family proud is all a young man could ask for.”

Stay tuned to Clemson Sports for more coverage on Bates and Henry, and join the conversation at the Tigers Den.