2021 LSU Recruit Colin Henrich Talks Transfer to IMG Academy, Strong Relationship With Tigers

Henrich has no timeline on commitment decision, Tigers firmly in the mix

Colin Henrich knew he wanted to play for a high school program that would help him get ready for life in college. The 2021 offensive guard made the decision to transfer to prominent IMG Academy, one of the elite programs in the country. 

It's the program where current LSU freshman cornerback Elias Ricks and 2021 commit Anthony Hundley went for their final year of high school and multiple Tiger targets including Dayne Shor and Tyler Booker attend as well. For Henrich, who is being courted by the likes of LSU, Boston College, Tennessee and West Virginia, playing against national competition for his final high school season was the goal. 

Henrich has only been on campus for a month and is already well acclimated to his new team and scheme.

"The guys, the schemes, the protocols and just how everything is done here is an absolutely amazing experience," Henrich said. "It's like what I said to everyone when I left, it's a once in a lifetime experience and why would I pass it up. There are some great guys around and it's like a huge fraternity."

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound lineman has primarily worked at right guard and left guard since his arrival after spending most of his high school career at center. Showing that diversity on the line is something that can only help Henrich and his standing with college programs, with national exposure at IMG Academy being another selling point. 

IMG played two weeks ago on ESPN but Henrich was still new to the offense and hadn't quite picked up the schemes so he didn't play. Now that he's adjusted to the schemes he's hoping to earn his first start of the season this week. 

Being on a team surrounded by high profile recruits like Hundley, Shor and Booker makes it a learning experience more so than anything. Whenever he has a question about his recruitment, he’ll have a locker room of teammates who are going through much of what he is.

"Anthony Hundley and I live on the same floor so I talk to him about LSU," Henrich said. "We go against each other every day in practice so me and him talk about that on the side. There's no real pitch but it's just sort of like him explaining to me that LSU Tigers ball out. It's been a fun relationship that's been built in a short amount of time.

"With a lot of committed guys I'll ask them 'When do you know?' and they'll tell me 'you know when you know. I ask my coaches who played in the NFL and they all say the same thing and it's just great advice. The school part takes care of itself and the best fit for you is the best fit for you so it's been a fantastic process."

In terms of his recruitment, Henrich doesn't have a firm timetable on when he'll commit but he's on pace to graduate in December which will allow him to join a college program in the spring.

"It's going to be a rapid process and one that's based on a gut feeling because I won't be allowed to visit anywhere," Henrich said. "I need to talk with my coaches on what they hear from college coaches and what they hear from college coaches midseason and then I can start thinking about that."

Henrich has spoken with LSU in recent weeks and calls them "his guys," stressing the great relationship he has with offensive line coach James Cregg.

"Coach Cregg is always an awesome person to talk to so it's a great relationship I have with that team and that coaching staff," Henrich said.