A.J. Henning
Place a Wager on A.J. HenningAntiwan Henning Jr., born on September 9th, 2001, is the embodiment of a prodigious American football talent. Currently a wide receiver for the revered Northwestern University Football Club, Henning shines as an undisputed star in college football. He is known for his agility and speed on the field, coupled with his unwavering determination and impressive statistics, which mark him out as a player to watch.
Henning’s journey into the world of American football commenced at Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois. During his time there, his athletic abilities caught the attention of both his coaches and his teammates. The 2019 season was a breakout year for him, as he racked up impressive stats in both receiving and rushing yards, clocking 835 and 648 yards respectively. He made the headlines by scoring a remarkable 29 touchdowns during the same season.
Owing to his spectacular performance, Henning was certified as the Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois. Furthermore, he was highly rated by 247Sports as the number one prospect in the state of Illinois. These achievements served as a testament to his prowess and testament that the young talent was on the brink of a promising future.
Henning committed to Michigan, where he made an indelible mark as the school’s top recruit for the class of 2020. He made his stunning debut for Michigan during the 2020 COVID-19 shortened season where he appeared in six remarkable games. In 2021, as a sophomore, he played in all 14 games for Michigan, both as a return specialist and a notable wide receiver.
During the 2021 football season, Henning notched his name in the halls of fame by scoring his first collegiate touchdown against Western Michigan University. Darting 74 yards on a reverse, the impressive run showed off his speed and agility. He continued to exhibit his exceptional play-making skills throughout the season, remarkably returning an 81-yard touchdown from a lateral from Michael Barrett against Maryland. His most notable performance to date came against Ohio State when he accumulated a total of 107 all-purpose yards and scored Michigan’s first touchdown on a jet sweep.
Furthermore, his performance on the field was complemented by his academic excellence, earning him a spot in the 2021 Academic All-Big Ten team. Being recognized for his excellence both on and off the field marked Henning as not just a talented athlete, but also a dedicated student.
In the spring of 2022, Michigan’s revered coach, Jim Harbaugh, voiced plans of leveraging Henning’s prowess in his team by assigning him a role similar to Deebo Samuel. Pro Football Focus took notice of Henning’s potential and named him as one its 31 breakout candidates for 2022. Subsequently, he returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown against UConn, and accomplished his first punt return touchdown since 2019. This feat placed him among a selected group of Michigan players with both punt return and kickoff return touchdowns to their names, joining the ranks of Steve Breaston, Desmond Howard, and Dave Raimey.
In his final season at Michigan, Henning averaged 7.36 yards per return on 25 punts and 20.38 yards per return on eight kickoffs. However, the 2023 spring season brought a change of tide for Henning when he announced his entry into the NCAA transfer portal and transferred to Northwestern University for his final two seasons.
Henning has proven to be a true asset and a competent wide receiver in American college football. His achievements on the football field and his unwavering commitment to his academic progression undoubtedly continue to raise the bar in college football, setting him on an exciting trajectory for a promising professional career.