It's not serious, but I'm not sure that map maker knows where Nebraska is.
The nation’s top-ranked quarterback in 2016 in Thousand Oaks (Calif.) Westlake standout Malik Henry recently narrowed his list of scholarship offers to Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and UCLA, and the blue-chipper plans to decide soon.
“It’s going to happen during the season,” Henry said.
The nation’s No. 3 prospect overall according to the 247Sports Composite also said he has a good idea of which school he’s going to choose. It’s now about making sure it’s the right decision.
“That’s exactly where I am right now,” Henry said. Also a standout pitcher, he’ll play both football and baseball on the next level. “I’m just trying to figure that out. I’m talking to the players. I’m trying to figure out if it’s the right place for me. How they like it. I’m just trying to see and hear perspective.”
For Henry, he felt right on that campus.
“Just when I walked in the office, it just felt like home,” he said. “All the coaches were coming up to me and shaking my hand. Even the defensive coaches. It wasn’t just the offensive coaches. I had the line coach come up to me, all the coaches, it just felt like a family there. They have a beautiful campus. The academics are very good, and they produce quarterbacks, and the quarterbacks coach, he really knows what he’s talking about and knows what he’s doing.”
Henry has visited all four of his finalists and has a return visit to Notre Dame locked in for the Michigan game on Sept. 6. He’s and his family are talking about returning to Florida State for a game later in the fall but nothing has been scheduled. The Seminoles are the current 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite to land Henry. Nearby UCLA is a place Henry could check out for games more than once this season.
Henry broke down each of his finalists.
“Ohio State they’ve always been, they were just a favorite,” he started. “They always stayed at the top of my list. I have family down there. I like the school. On the visit I said to myself I could see myself fitting in here. The offense fits me perfectly.
“Notre Dame, working with Coach (Matt) LaFleur was really fun. I like the way he coaches. Never a dull moment around him and he gets after you and makes sure you’re doing the right thing. Notre Dame is a great school, great academic school and beautiful campus.
“UCLA, working with Coach (Noel and Taylor) Mazzone and just getting an opportunity to play in front of my hometown is something that I might want to do, and I love the school and everything about it. If I can stay home that would be great.
“Florida State, I like it down South. It’s really fun down there. Their campus is amazing, their coaching staff is amazing. Working with Coach (Jimbo) Fisher, I learned a lot from him. I really see myself in their offense. When I was down there I was getting compared to Jameis Winston, and I got the Jameis comparisons the whole weekend, and I kind of see myself like him. We both play the same positions in both sports which is pretty cool.”
Henry finished his sophomore season completing over 60 percent of his passes for 2,362 yards and 21 touchdowns.
