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K.J. Henry reveals key factor in decision to return to Clemson

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•07/20/22•

BarkleyTruax

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Clemson defensive end KJ Henry would start at several Power 5 programs. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.)

Former Five Star Plus+ edge rusher KJ Henry decided to return to Clemson for his redshirt senior season, which in the age of NIL is something that is becoming more common as the days pass. The defensive lineman explained his decision, noting several inspirations for why he’s returning to Death Valley for one more year.

“For my decision coming back, a big factor was definitely Coach [Dabo] Swinney. Obviously, talks with my family and himself,” Henry said. “The biggest one was really just accepting the challenge of not only raising the bar for defensive line, myself, and this defense, but really just getting to compete with so many talented guys.

“I think it’s going to give me a great learning lesson going to the next level and being in a room with guys that are just as talented as I am, and up to this point it’s raising my level of accountability and everything else on the football field being with guys like Myles [Murphy], [Xavier Thomas], [Justin] Mascoll. It’s definitely made me a better player. That was a challenge that was given to me in the offseason, and it was just my job to just accept it.”

In his four years at Clemson, Henry has totaled 71 tackles, including 37 solo stops. He also has 19 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, one forced fumble, and five passes defended. Henry played in 13 games this season, where he had 20 tackles, also setting career highs with 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

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Alongside Murphy, Thomas and Mascoll, the Tigers are poised to have one of the most explosive defensive lines in the country, let alone the ACC. With Clemson expected to return to the College Football Playoff picture this season, Henry and the rest of the D-line will be expected to anchor their defensive efforts undef first year defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin.

Their first test comes in the form of Georgia Tech on Sept. 3, though their only legitimate test on paper won’t come until early November when they battle Notre Dame in South Bend – a good warm up for two teams typically expected to be in contention for a national championship at the end of each season.