ladarius henderson
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Portal In: LaDarius Henderson Comment Count

Brian December 6th, 2022 at 1:42 PM

Yesterday, the portal took. Bad portal. Today, the portal gives:

All hail portal.

Henderson started at left tackle as a true freshman in 2019 (at 17!), played sparingly during the COVID year, then moved to left guard in 2021. He was named a captain this year. He missed a big chunk of this year with a finger injury. PFF OL grading is weird, granted, but it's better than nothing. FWIW, they had him as a stronger pass blocker (averaged a 76 the past two years) than a run blocker (65). This does not mean he is a finesse player:

Henderson was high on NFL draft radars to the point where people are calling his decision to stay in college football a "shock."

[After THE JUMP: pro scouting and some what does it mean]

Pro Football Network's latest mock draft has him as a late first-rounder:

31) Buffalo Bills: LaDarius Henderson, G, Arizona State

Rodger Saffold gives the Bills a short-term boost at guard, but they could use a succession plan behind him. If you’re looking for a guard with tools to develop, you can’t do much better than Arizona State’s LaDarius Henderson. Henderson is around 6’5″, 310 pounds, with arms over 35″, and he explodes off the line. He can struggle with pad level at times, but his athleticism is eye-catching, and his length provides a conduit for elite power.

More from them:

Henderson is one of the most exciting 2023 NFL Draft iOL prospects on tape, and he also has one of the most intriguing backgrounds in the class. Despite being a senior, Henderson will be just 21 years old through most of his rookie season, if he declares. …

There might not be an offensive guard prospect with a more exciting blend of physical tools than Henderson. At 6’5″, 310 pounds, Henderson has good height and above-average overall mass. But his chief defining measurable is his length. He has quantifiably elite length, with arms that measure safely over 35″ long.

Especially on the interior, Henderson’s length can be an overwhelming conduit for force at contact. But Henderson supplements that length with near-elite explosiveness and linear athleticism. He’s an extremely explosive athlete who surges off the line and into contact with dangerous momentum, and he also has the lateral explosiveness to get outside the 3-tech on running plays.

One of The Draft Network's analysts also likes him:

Picking up an NFL-level senior OL who still has some ramp-up since he's just 20 is nice portalling. Go portal.

Upshot? Well, Michigan knows they're losing Ryan Hayes, who's already announced as a Senior Bowl participant, and Olu Oluwatimi. Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter may have NFL options. If they get the guards back, Henderson is 6'5, 310" with long arms and NFL athleticism. He could certainly compete at tackle even if he's a guard at the next level. Plenty of NFL guards were excellent college tackles. If one of them leaves that looks like a plug-and-play situation.

Meanwhile Gio El-Hadi, Trente Jones, and Jeff Persi all started games this year and performed decently well, so unless the portal starts taking again Michigan should have another deep and good OL in 2023.

Comments

stephenrjking

December 6th, 2022 at 2:07 PM ^

If I had to guess, this might mean that the staff expects Zinter to go.

I’d love to be wrong. Maybe they’re just not enamored with having two inexperienced tackles and/or want better pass blockers in that spot because JJ is going to be dropping back 30 times a game.

 

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20144031

Joby

December 6th, 2022 at 5:00 PM ^

“That said, culture is big in that locker room so I doubt they are looking to unseat guys who have been starters on the team.”

 

I hear that, but Cade and RJ got unseated. If LDH is an upgrade on any of our non-center options, I don’t think the staff will hesitate to slot him in.

 

Also, dude has ideal tackle arms, if not quite ideal tackle height. 

Joined: 10/19/2011

MGoPoints: -1320

True Blue Grit

December 6th, 2022 at 2:13 PM ^

Wow, that's two NFL caliber offensive linemen from the portal in two years.  And great leaders on top of it.  For one thing, it takes off the pressure from having holes in a couple recruiting classes or more than typical attrition.  Getting a plug and play lineman with a lot of skill means we don't have to recruit and develop the player.  Obviously though, we only get him for a year.  Still, a great pickup for Michigan!

Joined: 01/21/2011

MGoPoints: 32468

smotheringD

December 6th, 2022 at 2:44 PM ^

He destroyed that dude.  Then Ladarius replied to that tweet, "Preparing for the next time!".

Even though he's almost NFL ready, perhaps he thought it would be fun to play one more year in college, in a mauling, "smashfest" offense, in a perennial Joe Moore-winning O-Line, getting world class coaching and development from Moore, Hart, Newsome, HERBERT!

Congratulations young man!  Welcome!

Hail!

Joined: 09/15/2010

MGoPoints: 7624

DonAZ

December 6th, 2022 at 2:27 PM ^

When I was a young Michigan fan back in the 1970s, Michigan was known for being where great offensive linemen came from.  My sense is Michigan is regaining that reputation, which is a great thing.  That's in addition to a growing sense of our defensive line capabilities.  It's wonderful.

Is that Matt Weiss on the far right of that picture?

Joined: 12/05/2011

MGoPoints: 16763

BKBlue94

December 6th, 2022 at 2:38 PM ^

Too many IOL starters is a great problem to have, as long as no one leaves early over it. Keegan has played tackle before, I think. Wonder if he could move there if everyone stays and they want to start this guy

Joined: 12/22/2021

MGoPoints: 4794

lhglrkwg

December 6th, 2022 at 2:48 PM ^

If we can get a good OL together, next season's offense should be siiick. 1 year older JJ + Donovan and a good supporting cast. Most of the defense returns too IIRC. We might steal a few pre-season first place votes

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 88063

kyle.aaronson

December 6th, 2022 at 2:59 PM ^

Is it possible that if both Zinter and Keegan stay (please!) we see one of them bounce inside to center rather than seeing Henderson bounce outside to tackle? Nothing against Greg Crippen––he was a well-regarded recruit and I'm 110% confident this coaching staff will get the most out of him––we just haven't seen much of him in game action. A starting OL of Barnhart–Henderson–Keegan–Zinter–Jones would just maul. (Also, having El-Hadi, Persi, and Crippen as your backups is chef's kiss.)

Joined: 08/04/2010

MGoPoints: 4212

MaizeBlueA2

December 6th, 2022 at 5:27 PM ^

Great news! But my fear is Keegan and Zinter.

Mr. Henderson sounds AWESOME, but I'd rather have our two starting guards over any other two in the country.

If he's coming in to compete a LT...well then HECK YEAH!

Joined: 11/06/2018

MGoPoints: 50286

MaizeBlueA2

December 6th, 2022 at 5:27 PM ^

Great news! But my fear is Keegan and Zinter.

Mr. Henderson sounds AWESOME, but I'd rather have our two starting guards over any other two in the country.

If he's coming in to compete a LT...well then HECK YEAH!

Joined: 11/06/2018

MGoPoints: 50286