Chas Henry - Unlikely Weapon
Sunday, November 8, 2009 | Football
By Daniel Beach, UF Communications
When asked about the punt team earlier this season, University of Florida head coach Urban Meyer was quick to mention the confidence he has in his punter, “I think (Chas Henry) is one of the best in the country,” Meyer said. “He truly changes games.”
Henry, a junior from Dallas, Ga., can do everything that Coach Meyer asks from a punter. The Gators' starting punter ever since his freshman year in 2007, Henry quickly learned how important special teams' play is to the head coach.
“Coach Meyer always emphasizes that winning football is dependent on strong special teams play. It's great to know that Coach has a lot of confidence in you and that he feels so strongly about the unit that you are a part of. We feel that we have one of the best punt units in America and we're confident that Florida is going to have one of the finest units for as long as Coach Meyer is here.”
Winning the field position battle is one of the four tenets of Meyer's “Plan to Win.” Forcing the opponent into less favorable field position aids the defense and reduces the chances of the defense allowing points. Henry has consistently shown the ability to help the Orange and Blue win the field position battle. Entering the Vanderbilt game, Henry has placed nine of his 21 punts within the opponents' own 20-yard line.
“Any time that you can put the defense in a good position and make the opposing team's offense go 80 or more yards, I've done my job,” said Henry. “Most of the time our offense is in good field position when I'm called on to punt, so most of my punts are pooch punts - where I focus on getting a lot of hang time and not as much on distance.”
The punt is an overlooked play in football by many fans, but it may actually be the most important play during an entire game. No other play is guaranteed to have as much influence on field position as a punt. With a coach that constantly harps on the importance of field position, it has to make Meyer smile knowing that Henry and the punt coverage team have yet to allow a single yard on a return so far this season. Of Florida's 21 punts this season, only two have been fielded, but neither of the two has resulted in even a yard of return.
“We have a lot of speed on this team fortunately at the gunner and long snapper position” Henry commented. “They can get down the field quickly and force a fair catch.
Even as a child, Henry always dreamed of playing college football in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Though, growing up he envisioned himself coming to Florida Field as a visitor wearing Tennessee Orange. He grew up as a Volunteer fan since both of his parents and sister attended college at the University of Tennessee. While the decision whether or not to attend the University of Florida was tough at first, it is one that he is glad he made.
“Looking back on it, I've had some great memories here. We've already won an SEC Championship and a National Championship,” said Henry. “I love it here and it is the best decision that I have ever made.”
Even his family is glad that he made the switch and they have since been converted into Gator fans.
“My parents have been very supportive of me, even during the recruiting process. They constantly were looking for schools that would be the best situation for me,” Henry said. “They told me throughout high school that they would support whatever I wanted to do.”
Henry is quick to mention that much of his success is due to Coach Meyer and the other members of the punt team.
“Our success is a great testament to what Coach Meyer does and the quality of guys that he puts on our unit,” Henry acknowledged. “Only the best players get to be on the punt team. It's a privilege to be on this unit and the coaching staff does a great job of getting the guys ready to play.”
Henry is not the stereotypical punter. On his East Paulding High School team, he played quarterback and threw for 17 touchdowns. During his senior season, he led his team to the quarterfinals of the Georgia state playoffs. This accomplishment did not go unnoticed by the Florida coaching staff. Since his arrival on campus, the staff has had Henry continue to throw the ball during practice. In fact, this season due to a lack of available quarterbacks Henry is currently the team's third-string quarterback.
“Coach always tells me to stay loose and he creates a package (of plays) each week for me. Though, it's one of those things that you never actually want to have to do during a game. I'm a lot more comfortable 14 yards away from center than compared to five,” Henry joked.
-UF-
