Arkansas Razorbacks TE Hunter Henry Wins 2015 John Mackey Award

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The University of Arkansas may soon be called “Tight End U” to go along with the “Running Back U” honor earned via ESPN (June 2014) after having the most tailbacks drafted into the NFL in the 2000’s. On Wednesday, tight end Hunter Henry became the second Arkansas player in school history to win the John Mackey Award.

The John Mackey Award is given to the top tight end in the nation and Henry has certainly been a difference maker for the Razorbacks. He finished the season second on the team in receptions (46) and yards (647) with three touchdowns behind fellow junior Drew Morgan. Henry’s season totals surpassed his breakout freshman season with 28 receptions for 409 yards with four scores and his sophomore campaign with 37 receptions for 513 yards with two touchdowns.

Henry set career marks in Week 2 against Toledo with eight receptions for 117 yards. Against Mississippi State he upped his personal best tallying 129 receiving yards on seven receptions with two touchdowns. Henry led all SEC tight ends in receptions and yards while finishing 13th overall in the conference in receiving yards and receptions.

Upon receiving the award Henry stated, “It’s an honor and a blessing to win this award. I’m very thankful to my lord and savior Jesus Christ, my family and friends, my coaches that helped me get to this point, my teammates, and the University of Arkansas. This is a tremendous honor and I’m glad I’m able to represent the university and state of Arkansas this way. It’s a dream come true to win this award and I can’t say how thankful I am.”

The Little Rock, Arkansas, native has also been name first-team All-SEC and was a first-team USA Today All-American selection for his play this season.

Henry is second on the Arkansas Razorbacks all-time list for receiving yards among tight ends with 1,569 yards on 111 receptions behind 2010 Mackey Award winner D.J. Williams. Williams was highlighted in Bobby Petrino’s offense racking up 1,855 yards from 2007-10. Arkansas is the only program to produce multiple Mackey Award winners since 2000.

Arkansas landed the best rated tight end haul in the 2015 recruiting class with C.J. O’Grady (4-star), Will Gragg (4-star), and Austin Cantrell (3-star) giving reason to believe the Hogs will be stacked at tight end for years to come. Should Henry bypass his senior season, junior tight end Jeremy Sprinkle also had a standout season for the Hogs in 2015 with 23 receptions for 308 yards and five touchdowns giving Arkansas another potential Mackey finalist in 2016.

The John Mackey Award trophy will be officially given to Henry during The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU on Dec. 10.

Photo credit: rantsports.com; No. 84 Hunter Henry celebrates a touchdown.