Harper Woods (Mich.) High has quickly established itself as one of the premier in-state prep football programs. Its head coach, Rod Oden, graduated from Michigan. His son, Jacob, is entering his third year with the program.
The buck didn’t stop with the younger Oden either at the Metro Detroit powerhouse, as Michigan is pushing immensely for 2027 wide receiver Dakota Guerrant and has offered more than one 2028 recruit from the school. Among the sophomores with a Michigan offer is tight end AJ Henley,
who’s ascending at a rapid rate on the nationals stage.
The Wolverines, along with Louisville, Indiana, Minnesota, Pitt, Rutgers and Michigan State, are notably in the mix for Henley, who picked up the offer from tight ends coach Alex Whittingham in March.
“It felt great. It was an unreal experience,” Henley told Maize n Brew.
The feeling Henley garnered when he heard Michigan offered him mirrored how many other local Power 4-bound prospects responded when they earned their respective offer from the Wolverines. A sense of pride filled Henley knowing that the team located just an hour’s drive west on I-94 is showing interest and that there’s an opportunity to represent his area.
“It’s very special to try to become a hometown hero,” Henley said. “I think it’s very cool.”
Henley visited Ann Arbor prior to getting the offer, but it was on a return visit less than two weeks following the news where he got to spend time with Whittingham and establish an early rapport.
“I think coach Whittingham is very cool,” Henley said. “The relationship (is) tight, and the last time I talked to him was during the visit.”
The March trip was also Henley’s chance to see the operation under the helm of head coach Kyle Whittingham.
“I think coach Kyle Whittingham is a very good coach and I like what he’s doing to the program,” Henley said.
At 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, Henley possesses a frame with immense potential for continuous growth, ideal for the tight end position.
“I like the tempo of the practice, how everything fast-paced,“ Henley said. ”I like Michigan’s offense. I feel like I can see myself helping out catching passes.”
