Recruiting Report: Henry Dennis (Spring Lake Park/2021)

This past football season I got to see a ton of talent across almost every level of football Minnesota has to offer at stadiums under Friday Night Lights across the Metro and state. From Eden Prairie to SMB, Champlin Park to Mounds View, MPLS North to Chaska, and even Hutchinson, Pierz, and Jackson County Central, I got to see some of the best and most athletic MN had to offer. Of all of these recruits and players I got to see last season, none made a first impression like Spring Lake Park Panther athlete [player_tooltip player_id="18134" first="Henry" last="Dennis"] Jr. On a brisk November afternoon I had the pleasure of watching the Panthers take on district foe Irondale, and on one of the first kickoffs of the game a stocky, well-built, single-digit number racing with a full-head of steam down the field faster than anyone else covering the kick. Big #4 had no intention of slowing down, and I couldn’t take my eye off of him as he absolutely ran through and obliterated a poor Irondale blocker - and as the crack of the pads and the thud of the Irondale Knight hitting the turf echoed through Fridley - Dennis Jr. finished off the play and leveled the returner for the tackle. Plays like this - especially since I believe kickoffs really epitomize the game of football - really tell me a lot about a player, and I was kept a sharp eye out for #4 the rest of the contest. It was even better when I got to see Dennis Jr. destroy some Coon Rapids Cardinals on kickoff in the state tournament, and the best part is I haven’t even mentioned his ability as an All-Purpose back. The 5’10, 200 lber. was an All-District pick at RB after rushing the ball 112 times for 883 yards (7.9 per run) in SLP’s run-heavy veer offense splitting carries, and is a 1,000 pound club lifter who recorded a 35" vert as well. PrepRedzone was definitely pumped when Dennis Jr. agreed to answer a few questions for a "Recruiting Report" regarding his 2019 season, his recruitment, what he thinks he does well as a player, and more! Thank you reading, I hope you enjoy, and check out his tape! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9978781/5e273a4c4df5bf078c970440">Junior Season</a> PRZ: Hello and thank you for your time, Henry. Please begin by telling us about where you’re from, when you began playing football and what you love about the game, and anything else you’d like to add. Dennis Jr.: "First off, I was born in Providence, Rhode Island, a very small state so I knew everyone there. Right when I was born I took a liking to football & my dad would talk to me about the game all the time, but the shocking thing was I refused to play it till 6th grade when I was ready for the contact playing TE my first year. Some fun facts about me is I like to train 24/7 as football is something I can’t see myself living without unless I am doing something football related. Whether it is watching my film for the 100th time or just earning micro success building my stamina or perfecting an in-game skill move, I’m doing something for football all the time. What I LOVE about playing football is knowing that it is my purpose that God has called me to do. Football has gotten me through some dark times in my life, and I take pride dedicating the sport I love to play as an offering for my Lord to glorify him and the blessings he has bestowed on my family and I." PRZ: What is the key to SLP’s success and what are some unique facts that the program and its players do? Dennis Jr.: "The biggest key I think is our resilience through adversity whenever we put in the work, there are days where my body is telling me no but the way the culture is in our program is that we simply don’t give up. Our weight room program gets us the results and we need to transfer that over to the field and we take it serious over there, so we challenge each other to surpass our limits. Some unique factors is our discipline and the team building activities we do early in the season, it helps us build up the trust we need in each other so when game time comes we ready." PRZ: What were you expectations like going into the 2019 season and how did you guys build on the previous season? What did you do individually to better your game and what do you like about the Panther program? Dennis Jr: "A couple expectations for myself during the season was an 1000 rushing yard season & 10 TDS, and to have fun while getting the experience and learning about the game. We built on by last year by knowing that when adversity hits which it did early in the season, it is our choice to complain about it and point fingers at people or used that as fuel to be better than before so we had that mindset to build on. During the offseason I worked on my strength, speed, and learning how to calm my mind and make it nothing so i can enter flow state through meditation. A thing I love about the Panther program is the change that happened to me over the years. My coaches helped build my character into someone i’m proud of being, they made me a better person on and off the field they staff didn’t just focus on the football me they were concerned and showed love towards everyone that needed something or had family issues they need help working through." PRZ: Tell us about the 2019 season. Who did you play, how did the games go, and what were some of your big performances throughout the year? What happened in those losses as well. Dennis Jr.: "During the regular season we played Armstrong, Irondale, Coon Rapids, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Forest Lake, & Park Center, and overall the season went good the defense kept us in the game a lot of times and the linemen were amazing for us. Some big games for the team were definitely Irondale every year we battle for the block, and our first game against Armstrong was a huge one as well just it being the first game of the season and us just itching to play. My best game was for sure St Louis Park {10 carries/189 yards/19Yds/att/2 TDS}. The reason we won those big games is nothing else but teamwork, the defense even gave the offense some energy and momentum vice versa. We just focused on executing our task throughout the plays and ended up with the dub. I think the reason we lost those games was because of our offense we need to be more physical and mentally strong to handle teams as good as them, when we a couple of early bad drives, fumbles, and start feeling bad for ourselves the other team feels that and takes advantage because of the momentum they have, so if we can work on those things i believe we will win." PRZ: What were some of your big plays in sections and the state tournament? What have you learned from that experience? Dennis Jr.: "Some big moments we had for our team during the section/state tournament was the forced fumble recovery the defense had to fuel the offense. I am not happy about my performance during those two games, i’m my worst critic and the way I played wasn’t my full potential. The deep playoff run makes me feel about next years that we got what it takes, we just need to put in serious work during the offseason so our bodies can handle going for that long and be dedicated to getting better everyday." PRZ: What do you do well as a player and what do you offer that’s unique as a recruit? Also, where are you at with recruiting? What are some teams you’re interested in? Dennis Jr.: "My violence and hustle is just my drive that’s burning inside of me when I play, I love playing kickoffs that was the only time i could be physical running full speed down the field without a ball in my hands. There is no secret to it, that is just the outcome of the work i had put in the weight room. Some college teams i’m interested in is the U of M i would want to play there for my first choice, and some (other) colleges has mentioned my rare combination of speed,strength, balance, and burst that i have, and that i have high potential as a football player. I’m open to any college that has a positive atmosphere and great accountability so i can be the best version of myself! I can add high energy, positive, hardworking, and uplifting atmosphere for the coaching staff and my teammates. as well as adding versatility to the offense, you are getting an explosive RB that is very durable, can flourish running between the tackles and the outside. What i do well as a football player is the commitment and love i have for the game and the people that play it. i am willing to put in any type of work to be the best and to help my teammates be their best selves." Stay tuned for news on [player_tooltip player_id="18134" first="Henry" last="Dennis"] Jr. and the Spring Lake Park Panthers here with PrepRedzone!