Henry, Kirkland Declare For NFL Draft

FAYETTEVILLE — Tight end Hunter Henry and offensive lineman Denver Kirkland, two of the prized signees in Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema’s first recruiting class, both declared as underclassmen for the NFL Draft on Monday.

He n r y ’s dec is ion , announced in a letter to Razorback fans and posted on the athletic department’s Web site, was expected. A consensus All-American and Mackey Award winner as the nation’s top tight end, Henry is considered the top player at his position entering the draft, slated for April 28-30.

Kirkland’s declaration to sign with Arkansas live on ESPN on National Signing Day in 2013 was one of the early jolts of momentum for Bielema, who inherited a program with waning top-level talent coming off a 4-8 season under interim Coach John L. Smith. Kirkland’s decision, revealed in a post to his Twitter account, was a little less expected, particularly as Bielema had said following Arkansas’ 45-23 Liberty Bowl victory over Kansas State on Saturday that he had plans to talk to Kirkland in person later this week.

Junior running back Alex Collins, who is also weighing a decision to declare early, is expected to meet with Bielema on Wednesday morning in south Florida. The deadline to declare early for the draft is Jan. 18.

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said in a press conference on Dec. 22 that Henry received a potential first- round grade by the NFL draft advisory board, and Collins and Kirkland received “mid- round” grades.

Henry leaves as one of the more decorated Razorbacks of all time. The 6-5, 253-pound junior from Little Rock’s Pulaski Academy, led the nation’s tight ends with 739 receiving yards on 51 catches and scored three touchdowns this season.

His place in Arkansas history, beyond his 116 receptions for 1,661 yards, was sealed when he sent a blind, over-the-head lateral — fondly called the Henry Heave — 21 yards to Collins to help convert a fourth and 25 play in overtime during the Razorbacks’ 53-52 victory at No. 18 Ole Miss this season.

“After a great deal of prayer and reflection, I have made the very difficult decision to pursue my childhood dream and enter the 2016 NFL Draft,” Henry wrote. “I have grown so much as a person and player these past three years at the University of Arkansas. I have enjoyed my experience more than I could have ever imagined.”

Henry’s announcement, titled “My Decision,” also included thanks to Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long, Bielema, offensive coordinator Dan Enos, tight ends coach Barry Lunney, his teammates, his high school coach Kevin Kelley at Pulaski Academy, and “the entire Razorback Nation.”

Henry capped his career with five receptions for 92 yards in Arkansas’ Liberty Bowl victory. His 43-yard catch down the Arkansas sideline on the fourth play of the fourth quarter led to Collins’ third touchdown, a 14-yard run that put the Hogs ahead 38-23.

Kirkland, a native of Miami who earned Freshman All- America status in 2013, transitioned from guard to the prime left tackle spot this year. The 6-5, 340-pounder played through a shoulder injury suffered in Week Two and finished with 34 consecutive starts in the Liberty Bowl.

Kirkland and fellow junior Dan Skipper both entered the starting lineup for the Texas A&M game in Week Five of 2013 and started every game for the last two and a half years.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. rates Kirkland as the No. 5 offensive guard available for the draft.

Kirkland wrote that playing in the NFL has been a lifelong dream that it is time to pursue.

“The last three years at U of A has given me the opportunity to develop as a scholar, athlete and as a person,” Kirkland wrote. “For that I am forever grateful. … While pursuing my dreams will lead me to other places, my heart will remain in Fayetteville.”

The number of early declarers for the draft was 64 by the end of business hours on Monday, according to NFL.com. Last year, 74 underclassmen declared for the draft, down from the record of 98 early entrants in 2014, per NFL.com.