After getting scholarship offers last week from a couple of other SEC schools, Lakia Henry figured it was only a matter of time before he also picked up an offer from Tennessee. But that didnt make it any less exciting for him when it happened. The four-star sophomore linebacker from Dodge City (Kan.) Community College said he was happy to get an offer from the Vols on Wednesday during a conversation with new Tennessee offensive quality control assistant Joe Osovet, and hes already planning to visit the Vols next month. That was big-time, Henry said of his offer from Tennessee. I was expecting that one. That was an offer I was really expecting to have. Ive been interested in Tennessee because Im from Georgia, so thats not too far from Tennessee.
He liked the way I play, Henry said of Osovet. He said he liked how physical I am. He liked the way I make plays and all those things. And then he called my coaches, and he was like, I have good character and all that good stuff. He was just (saying) I have experience, and most people that come to a D-I school from a junior college dont usually sit out. I have to work, but he was like, they have big plans for juco guys. Henry, who racked up 110 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception during his first season at Dodge City, said hes intrigued by a few of the things the Vols have to offer.
Their stadium, its 102,000 people every Saturday, he said. Thats a big stadium, man. Its the biggest one so far. And theyve got really nice jerseys. I love the way they run their defense. Theyre fast and theyre physical. I like the way they play. Its a place that I can see (being a) fit, but every school is in the race right now. Its nobody really in front, but Tennessee might can take the lead. Ole Miss might can take the lead. Its all dependent on how the recruiting process goes, really.
"Im not trying to really go all the way far (away), he said. But being in Kansas really taught me, it dont matter how far you go. Just whichever school is offering the best scholarships and things of that sort.
Henry, who plans to graduate from Dodge City in December and enroll at the school of his choice in January, said he will probably commit to a school right before the season starts. While hes in no hurry to make his choice, he said he already has a plan for using his five official visits and has an idea of some of the other schools he might visit.
Im taking three (official visits) in the summer, and Im going to take two during the season, he said, later referring to Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Iowa State, Tennessee and Alabama as possible official-visit destinations. I want to go to Texas, too, Henry added. I want to go to all the schools, really. Its really a hard, hard decision.
