Hunter Henry

Henry was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on December 7, 1994, to Mark and Jenny Henry. In summer 2000, his family moved to the Atlanta area for his father's job. Henry moved back to Little Rock for his freshman year of high school where he attended Pulaski Academy in Little Rock for four years.{{Cite web |last=Melton |first=Matt |date=June 22, 2022 |title=Arkansas Football: Looking back at the Razorbacks career of Hunter Henry |url=https://southboundanddown.com/2022/06/22/arkansas-football-looking-back-career-hunter-henry/ |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=South Bound & Down |language=en-US}} As a freshman, Henry spent time playing offensive tackle, wide receiver, and defensive end for the football team. He did not play tight end during his high school career, because Pulaski Academy's Spread Offense scheme did not feature that position. Henry started his sophomore, junior, and senior years, winning a state championship with the Bruins in 2011.

Henry was named to the Parade All-America team for the 2012-13 school year and was one of the top recruits in the nation.{{Cite web |last=Meyers |first=Kate |date=February 3, 2013 |title=Meet The 2013 All-America High School Football Lineup |url=http://www.parade.com/9489/katemeyers/meet-the-2013-parade-all-america-football-team/ |access-date=November 9, 2013 |website=Parade}}

In 2015, Henry was involved in one of the most memorable plays in Arkansas football history. During a fourth-and-25 play in overtime against Ole Miss in the rivalry game, Henry caught a pass from quarterback Brandon Allen and upon seeing that he was going to be tackled short of the first down marker, Henry blindly flung the ball backwards as a lateral to running back Alex Collins. Collins picked it up on the bounce and ran it for a 31-yard gain to gain a first down. This set up an eventual touchdown and successful two-point conversion to win the game. The uniqueness of the play led to widespread media coverage and replays. He was the John Mackey Award winner for best tight end in the nation and also was a Consensus All-American in the 2015–2016 season.{{Cite web |date=November 8, 2015 |title=Arkansas uses lateral play, 2-point conversion to upset Ole Miss in OT |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400603908 |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} Henry helped Arkansas win back-to-back bowl games in consecutive years for the first time in program history, beating former Southwest Conference rival the Texas Longhorns in the 2014 Texas Bowl, and winning the 2016 Liberty Bowl over the Kansas State Wildcats.{{Cite web |title=Arkansas Razorbacks College Football History, Stats, Records |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arkansas/index.html |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}

On January 4, 2016, Henry declared he would be entering the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=McGillis |date=January 3, 2016 |title=A Letter From Hunter Henry |url=http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/glory_posts/my-decision/ |access-date=January 4, 2016 |website=Arkansas Razorbacks |language=English}}

In early 2016, Henry was predicted to be a late first- to second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |date=March 4, 2016 |title=Mock draft 3.0: Bosa falls to Bucs |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/mock-drafts/lance-zierlein/300603 |access-date=March 9, 2016 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |last=Reuter |first=Chad |date=March 7, 2016 |title=Mock draft 3.0: Texans take Hackenberg |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/mock-drafts/chad-reuter/300604 |access-date=March 9, 2016 |website=NFL.com}} Henry skipped most physical drills at the NFL Combine but did compete in bench press with a position worst of 13 reps.{{Cite web |title=Hunter Henry Draft Profile |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/hunter-henry?id=2555341 |website=NFL.com}} Henry managed to improve on his pro day by posting a 4.67 40 yard dash and completing 21 reps in the bench press establishing himself as one of the top tight ends in the 2016 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2016 |title=Hogs Impress In Front Of All 32 NFL Teams |url=http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/hogs-impress-in-front-of-all-32-nfl-teams/ |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Arkansas Razorbacks Athletics}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 4 7/8

| weight = 250

| dash = 4.68

| ten split = 1.60

| twenty split = 2.74

| shuttle = 4.41

| cone drill = 7.16

| vertical = 31.5

| broad ft = 9

| broad in = 5

| bench = 21

| arm span = 32 3/4

| hand span = 9 1/4

| wonderlic = 28{{Cite web |url=https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/rating-the-nfl-draft-prospects-wide-receivers-and-tight-ends-b99704541z1-376590661.html/ |title=Rating the NFL draft prospects: Wide receivers and tight ends |website=NFL.com |access-date=July 2, 2022}}

| note = All values from NFL Combine and Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Hunter Henry Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/hunter-henry/32004845-4e61-7052-805d-daad1175a3b2 |access-date=March 9, 2016 |publisher=National Football League}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=127273&DraftYear=2016 |title=Hunter Henry, Arkansas, TE, 2016 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=October 16, 2021}}

}}

Henry was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round (35th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |last=Henne, Ricky |date=April 29, 2016 |title=Chargers Draft Dynamic Arkansas Tight End Hunter Henry |url=http://www.chargers.com/news/2016/04/29/chargers-draft-dynamic-arkansas-tight-end-hunter-henry |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816232400/http://www.chargers.com/news/2016/04/29/chargers-draft-dynamic-arkansas-tight-end-hunter-henry |archive-date=August 16, 2017 |access-date=May 29, 2017 |website=Chargers.com}} He was the first tight end to be selected in the 2016 NFL Draft. In addition, he was the first of five Arkansas Razorbacks to be selected that year.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |access-date=August 16, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}

On June 2, 2016, Henry and the Chargers agreed to a four-year, $6.38 million contract with $3.98 million guaranteed and a $2.84 million signing bonus.{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com:Hunter Henry contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/san-diego-chargers/hunter-henry-18983/ |access-date=October 14, 2016 |website=Spotrac.com}}

Henry entered training camp competing to be the backup tight end, against veterans Sean McGrath and Asante Cleveland. Henry was named the Chargers' third tight end on their depth chart to begin the regular season, behind longtime Pro Bowl veteran Antonio Gates and Sean McGrath.{{Cite web |title=Ourlads.com: San Diego Charger's Depth Chart |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/188/SD |access-date=December 29, 2016 |website=ourlads.com}}

In his NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs, Henry made one receptions for 20 yards in the season-opening overtime loss.{{Cite web |title=San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs - September 11th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201609110kan.htm |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The following week, he earned his first NFL start during a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.{{Cite web |title=Jacksonville Jaguars at San Diego Chargers - September 18th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201609180sdg.htm |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During a Week 4 loss to the New Orleans Saints, he caught four passes for 61 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown on a 20-yard pass from quarterback Philip Rivers.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at San Diego Chargers - October 2nd, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201610020sdg.htm |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On October 13, 2016, Henry led all Chargers in receptions, making six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown in a 21–13 victory over the Denver Broncos.{{Cite web |title=Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers - October 13th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201610130sdg.htm |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On December 18, he caught three passes for 37 receiving yards and a touchdown during a 19–16 loss to the Oakland Raiders.{{Cite web |title=Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers - December 18th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201612180sdg.htm |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Henry has the distinction of catching the final touchdown of the Chargers' history in San Diego scoring a 12-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the 37–27 loss to Kansas City in the season finale.{{Cite web |title=Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers - January 1st, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201701010sdg.htm |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In his rookie season, Henry scored the second-most touchdowns by a rookie tight end in the last decade (only behind Rob Gronkowski), and scored the fifth-most touchdowns by a rookie tight end in NFL history.{{Cite web |title=Player Season Finder Query Results - Pro-Football-Reference.com |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&year_min=1920&year_max=2016&season_start=1&season_end=1&age_min=0&age_max=0&pos=te&c1stat=choose&c1comp=gt&c2stat=choose&c2comp=gt&c3stat=choose&c3comp=gt&c4stat=choose&c4comp=gt&c5comp=choose&c5gtlt=lt&c6mult=1.0&c6comp=choose&order_by=all_td&draft=0&draft_year_min=1936&draft_year_max=2016&draft_slot_min=1&draft_slot_max=500&draft_pick_in_round=pick_overall&conference=any&draft_pos=qb&draft_pos=rb&draft_pos=wr&draft_pos=te&draft_pos=e&draft_pos=t&draft_pos=g&draft_pos=c&draft_pos=ol&draft_pos=dt&draft_pos=de&draft_pos=dl&draft_pos=ilb&draft_pos=olb&draft_pos=lb&draft_pos=cb&draft_pos=s&draft_pos=db&draft_pos=k&draft_pos=p |website=Pro Football Reference}} He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2016.htm |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

During Week 15 against the Chiefs, Henry left the game with a knee injury. The next day, it was revealed that he suffered a lacerated kidney and was placed on injured reserve on December 19, 2017.{{Cite web |last=Henne |first=Ricky |date=December 19, 2017 |title=Chargers Place Hunter Henry on IR |url=http://www.chargers.com/news/2017/12/19/chargers-place-hunter-henry-ir |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Chargers.com}} He finished the season with 45 receptions for 579 yards and four touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Hunter Henry 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HenrHu00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=March 23, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On May 22, 2018, Henry suffered a torn ACL during organized team activities, and was ruled out for the entire season.{{Cite web |last=Wesseling |first=Chris |date=May 22, 2018 |title=Hunter Henry suffers torn ACL in practice |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chargers-te-hunter-henry-suffers-torn-acl-in-practice-0ap3000000933916 |access-date=March 23, 2020 |website=NFL.com}} On September 1, 2018, he was placed on the physically unable to perform list, giving Henry a chance to return later in the season.{{Cite web |last=Henne |first=Ricky |date=September 1, 2018 |title=Chargers Cut Roster Down to 53 |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-cut-roster-down-to-53 |access-date=March 23, 2020 |website=Chargers.com}} He was added to the active roster on January 7, 2019, ahead of their Divisional Round game, which they lost to the eventual Super Bowl LIII champion New England Patriots.{{Cite web |last=Henne |first=Ricky |date=January 7, 2019 |title=Hunter Henry Added to the Active Roster |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/hunter-henry-added-to-the-active-roster |access-date=March 23, 2020 |website=Chargers.com}}

On September 11, 2019, it was announced that Henry suffered a tibia plateau fracture to his left knee and would be out several weeks.{{Cite web |last=Hagemann |first=Andie |date=September 11, 2019 |title=Chargers' Hunter Henry suffered left knee fracture |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chargers-hunter-henry-suffered-left-knee-fracture-0ap3000001053706 |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=NFL.com}} Henry made his return from injury in Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In that game, Henry caught eight passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the 24–17 loss.{{Cite web |date=October 13, 2019 |title=Steelers' Conner scores 2 TDs, Hodges wins first start |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128131 |access-date=October 13, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} Overall, Henry finished the 2019 season with 55 receptions for 652 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Hunter Henry 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HenrHu00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=March 23, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

The Chargers placed the franchise tag on Henry on March 13, 2020.{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2020 |title=Chargers Place Franchise Tag on Hunter Henry |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-place-franchise-tag-on-hunter-henry |access-date=March 13, 2020 |website=Chargers.com}} He signed the tag on April 16.{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2020 |title=Chargers' Hunter Henry: Long-term extension looming? |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/chargers-hunter-henry-long-term-extension-looming/ |access-date=February 8, 2021 |website=CBSSports.com}} He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 24, 2020,{{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=Myles |date=December 24, 2020 |title=Chargers place Hunter Henry on COVID-19 list |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/12/24/chargers-place-hunter-henry-on-covid-19-list/ |access-date=February 8, 2021 |website=NBCSports.com}} and activated on January 7, 2021.{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Chargers' Hunter Henry: Activated from COVID-19 list |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/chargers-hunter-henry-activated-from-covid-19-list/ |access-date=February 8, 2021 |website=CBSSports.com}} He finished the 2020 season with 60 receptions for 613 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Hunter Henry 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HenrHu00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On March 19, 2021, Henry signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract with the New England Patriots.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=March 16, 2021 |title=Hunter Henry, Patriots agree to three-year, $37.5M deal |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/hunter-henry-patriots-agree-to-three-year-37-5m-deal |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Patriots Sign 10 Free Agents |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-10-free-agents |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Patriots.com}} He scored his first touchdown for the Patriots in Week 4 during a 17–19 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{Cite web|title=Buccaneers vs. Patriots - Game Summary - October 4, 2021 - ESPN|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/game/_/gameId/401326393|access-date=October 14, 2021|website=ESPN.com|language=en}} Over the first 10 games, Henry caught seven touchdown passes, establishing himself as a frequent red zone target for rookie quarterback Mac Jones.{{cite web |last1=McKenna |first1=Henry |title=Hunter Henry has been the Patriots' best red zone threat since Rob Gronkowski |url=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/14/patriots-hunter-henry-gronk-red-zone-threat/ |website=USA Today |access-date=November 16, 2021 |date=November 14, 2021}} He finished the 2021 season with 50 receptions for 603 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Hunter Henry 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HenrHu00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Henry returned as the Patriots starting tight end in 2022. He finished the season with 41 catches for 509 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Hunter Henry 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HenrHu00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In the 2023 season, Henry finished with 42 receptions for 419 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Hunter Henry 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HenrHu00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

On March 8, 2024, Henry signed a three-year contract extension with the Patriots.{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=March 8, 2024 |title=Source: Patriots, TE Hunter Henry agree to 3-year deal |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39684386/source-patriots-te-hunter-henry-agree-3-year-extension |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}} Henry finished the 2024 season with 66 receptions for 674 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Hunter Henry 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HenrHu00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

Henry's parents are Mark Henry and Jenny Henry, and they live in Little Rock. His father was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 1987–1991. He lettered four years for the Razorbacks.{{Cite web |last=Davenport |first=Richard |date=September 8, 2019 |title=Elder Henry says recruiting now a different beast |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2019/sep/08/elder-henry-says-recruiting-now-a-diffe-1/ |access-date=March 23, 2020 |website=Arkansas Online |language=en}} Henry has three siblings; Hayden, Hudson and Hope. Hayden was a linebacker at Arkansas from 2017-2022. Hudson was a tight end for the Razorbacks from 2019-2022.

Henry was married on June 30, 2018.{{Cite web |title=Real Arkansas Wedding: Parker Schmidly of Fort Smith & Hunter Henry of Little Rock - Arkansas Bride |url=https://www.arkansasbride.com/article/124721/real-arkansas-wedding-parker-schmidly-of-fort-smith-hunter-henry-of-little-rock |access-date=March 23, 2020 |website=www.arkansasbride.com}} Hunter and his wife have one son and one daughter.{{Cite web |last=Ciccotelli |first=Jenna |date=December 10, 2021 |title=Patriots' Hunter Henry, Wife Parker Announce Birth Of Son Amid Bye Week |url=https://nesn.com/2021/12/patriots-hunter-henry-wife-parker-announce-birth-of-son-amid-bye-week/ |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=NESN.com |language=en-US}}

Henry is a Christian. He has said, “I would say my faith is the most important thing to me. My dad is a pastor in Little Rock. I’ve grown up in a Christian background my whole life. My faith is the most important thing to me; that’s the one message that I want to convey to everybody.”{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Jason |title=Chargers Hunter Henry plays for an audience of one |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2017/11/28/chargers-hunter-henry-plays-audience-one/ |website=Sports Spectrum |date=November 28, 2017 |access-date=September 24, 2022}}

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{{footballstats|pfr=H/HenrHu00|yahoo=29269|espn=3046439|nfl=hunter-henry}}

• [https://www.patriots.com/team/players-roster/hunter-henry/ New England Patriots bio]
• [http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/roster/hunter-henry/ Arkansas Razorbacks bio]

{{John Mackey Award}}

{{2015 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}}

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Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:All-American college football players

Category:American football tight ends

Category:Arkansas Razorbacks football players

Category:Los Angeles Chargers players

Category:New England Patriots players

Category:San Diego Chargers players

Category:Players of American football from Little Rock, Arkansas

Category:Sigma Alpha Epsilon members