WS Chronicle

Submitted photo by Kelly Brinkley

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

West Forsyth’s K.J. Henry is one of the most sought after and highly recruited athletes not only in the state of North Carolina but across the nation.  Not only does Henry excel on the gridiron but also in the classroom, as he is a Crosby Scholar and Titan Achiever with a G.P.A. over 3.5.

The Titan defensive end is currently the Number Two player in the state and 19th overall in the class of 2018, according to ESPN’s Jr. 300.  He has garnered attention from some of the top powerhouse football programs in the nation.  He has narrowed his list of schools to 10 and plans to make a verbal commitment this fall.

Henry said he got into playing the game of football at a young age but his first love was actually basketball.  However, with his dad coaching at Wake Forest at the time, he continued to play and developed a love for the game.

“When I first started getting hit was not always my favorite thing about football,” Henry stated.  “I stuck with it and as I kept growing, I started to become the one giving the hits instead of receiving them and the game became a little more fun.”

He says the bond that he has built with his teammates at West Forsyth is the best thing about playing right now.  He says the ability to meet people from all walks of life and come together for a common goal is special.

Henry started his high school career at Forsyth Country Day but transferred to West Forsyth for his sophomore year.  He says that move was the best he could have made for his career because he has grown so much over the past two seasons.  He credits the Titan coaches for their work with him on his fundamentals and technique.

K.J. acknowledges its a great thing to be coveted by all of these universities but knows he has to stay hungry and humble.

“It’s a great feeling and I don’t take it for granted at all,” he continued.  “Some people ask me if I get tired of it or tired of people asking me questions and I tell them I don’t because I feel that would be disrespectful to the position I’m in.”

“I also get the chance to pave a path for my younger siblings as well.  I am really enjoying every second of it, honestly.”

Going into his senior season, K.J. knows all eyes will be on him.  He says he would love to come home with the defensive player of the year award along with bringing home a state championship for the Titan fan base.  Henry will also participate in the Under Armor All-American Bowl at the end of the year.

For Keith Henry, K.J.’s father, he says he has told his son that making it to the highest level takes sacrifice and commitment and thus far K.J. has showed both of those qualities. Mr. Henry says he is proud of his son and for the fact that K.J. has stayed humble throughout this process.

Mrs. Henry says she began to see the athletic talents in K.J. during his middle school years.  But she says to really impress her, doing well in the classroom is the place to do it.  Mr. and Mrs. Henry both expect K.J. to do well on the next level and they say the final decision will be left up to him as to where he will attend college.

K.J. says he really looks up to Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller.  He says math is his favorite subject in school.  He has not decided on a major in college but says he definitely wants to minor in business and eventually follow in his father’s footsteps and become a coach at some point in time.