Chad Henne, 2008 NFL Draft
 | Quarterback 6' 2" 225 lbs. Speed: NA Senior  |
Quarterback Chad Henne should have plenty of weapons this year, receiver Mario Manningham and running back Mike Hart are back, and they will all three enjoy having future top 10 NFL Draft pick offensive tackle Jake Long blocking for them. Michigan looks like the front runner to win the big 10 and Henne has a legitimate shot at winning the Heisman Trophy.
On a side note, WR Adrian Arrington wasn’t allowed to attend spring practice due to disciplinary issues; his status with the team is in doubt at this point (spring 2007).
Henne made a wise choice to return to Michigan for his senior season, with another strong season Henne should emerge as a first round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He does however need to take the next step and start winning the big games at the end of the season.
The only knock on Henne is he has had trouble winning the big games; he has been a starter since he was a true freshman, but has never beat Ohio State or won a bowl game. He isn’t huge at 6’ 2” 225 pounds, but he stands tall in the pocket, has a strong arm, and a quick delivery.
In 2004 Henne and Hart burst onto the national scene, both starting for the perennial powerhouse Wolverines. He was the first freshman to start for Michigan since 1975 (Rick Leach). Henne displayed poise, and put the nation on notice that he was there to stay throwing 25 touchdown passes
In 2005 Henne suffered from the sophomore blues and started out 3-3. Chad didn’t stay down long though, helping his team win 4 straight after the 3-3 start, and they qualified for a bowl game. His strong finish helped preserved Michigan’s 21st straight winning season. All didn’t end well however, and his season ended in crushing losses against arch enemy Ohio State, and to Nebraska in the Alamo Bowl. Overall Henne didn’t play bad though, he completed 58% of his passes for 2,526 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He finished fourth in Michigan history in touchdown passes in a single season.
In 2006 as a junior, Henne started out red-hot only to slump again at the end of the season. By the 3rd week of November Michigan was ranked #2 in the nation and they had an impressive 11-0 record. But yet again, for the 3rd straight year, they choked down the stretch finishing the season losing to Ohio State and then losing their bowl game. Do we have a trend here folks? Maybe, but if Henne can snap his three consecutive losses to Ohio State and finish the season on a winning note his senior year, it won’t matter much. But yet again, confidence wise, if he should lose to an inferior Ohio State team this year it could have negative ramifications in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Regardless of what happens record wise, Henne is still a fine prospect for the 2008 NFL Draft. For his long career, Henne has thrown for 7,777 yards and 70 touchdowns. His touchdown numbers ranks him sixth in Big Ten Conference history.
Chad Henne’s major accolades:
· 2004 All-American Freshman Team Quarterback
· 2006 Manning Award finalist
· 2006 Maxwell Award semifinalist
· 2006 Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist
· 2006 Walter Camp Award watchlist
· 2004 All-Big Ten Conference Honorable Mention (coaches and media)
· 2006 All-Big Ten Conference Second Team (coaches and media)