Interview: 2021 Oklahoma QB James Henault Talks Football and Bethel Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Few high school quarterbacks truly get to showcase a wide-ranging set of skills on the field, but James Henault does. The Class of 2021 quarterback spent his junior season executing a vertical passing attack out of the shotgun throwing for 1,826 yards with 18 touchdowns but then took a 180 degree turn in 2020 going under center in a flex-bone set. The run-heavy offense has limited his throwing opportunities but has helped pushed the dual-threat part of his game forward. After just one rushing score a year ago, he has already rushed for 91 yards with two trips into the end zone. The change in offense has been fortuitous, the 6-0, 215-pound, recruit is a verbal commit to Bethel College (KS) where they also execute the flex-bone scheme.
In an RNG first-look, I went inside the huddle with the Oklahoma Christian Academy dual-threat learning about his game and how his commitment to Bethel came to pass.
Interview
James, when other quarterbacks talk about being a dual-threat, you are actually a dual-threat. Tell me a little bit about the design of the offense are you running with the Fighting Eagles this season?
We are doing a flex-bone, under center, offense. We are running the ball a lot more this season. It is different from last year. Last year we were in an Air Raid offense. This year we are throwing the ball five to 10 time a game and we are running 40-plus times. We had some seniors last year that were big time players. Going into this offseason we changed our offense knowing it would help us more personnel wise.
Watching reel on you from last season, a lot of the passing attack seemed to be vertical routes. How are you guys attacking secondaries this season?
This season it is more about less routes and easier reads for me. I am reading one or two guys on every play. Last year I was reading the whole defense. This year we are trying to single out one guy and put him in a bind. Most of the plays are a two-route read, one route or the other route.
What are the routes in the playbook this season?
We have posts, wheel, corners, hitches, and go-routes. We do have bench-corners, crosses, shallows, some flats and arrow routes.
When you drop back, what are some of the coverages you are seeing from the opposition?
Mainly seeing Cover 3 or Cover 1.
When you went into your offseason, what were the key parts to your mechanics that you worked to improve?
I really tried to hone in on knowing how much touch I should put on balls, how hard and fast. I worked to perfect my accuracy putting it in a certain spot every time. This offseason I focused a lot on my footwork and moving faster in the pocket.
Did you work with a QB coach this offseason?
Yes, I worked with Coach Tom George, owner of QB Impact. I have been working with him since seventh grade.
How has Coach (Tom) George helped improve your overall game?
When I moved down to Oklahoma, I was a big kid. In January of 2019, we had a talk during the offseason after my sophomore year. He told me I needed to lose weight, get faster, and stronger to be like a college quarterback. From January to May, I was 256 pounds in January and by May I was weighing 214. It changed my life and added years to my life. He has helped me to be the player I am now, both mentally and physically.
Great job on the dedication to getting into shape.
Thank you.
What were some of the drills you did with Coach George to fine-tune your mechanics?
We do arm angle drills to make sure I am not throwing the ball from the side and making sure my mechanics are right. When I throw, we are making sure my weight is distributed evenly when I throw and that I am not trying to climb on that front toe when I throw. We did a lot of working on moving outside the pocket and throwing on the run and learning how to stay in the pocket and throw a ball under pressure.
Four games into your senior season, which areas of your game are showing the biggest improvements?
Definitely running the ball. Last year, I was not that fast, I was slow. I am working a lot on getting faster, I had to for this offense. My running has improved the most. This is the best I have ever ran and the hardest. Extending the play, I have done better with that – getting outside the pocket. Getting outside, I am helping the route get open extending the play with my feet.
Is there an aspect to your game that might get overlooked?
My speed. My 40 time is not the fastest, but when I get in the game I am moving faster. I am not thinking about it in a game while I am running. In the games, I am running as fast as I can downhill. My speed and how hard I run the ball are areas that are overlooked.
Short week for you guys with Tonkawa (4-1) scheduled for Thursday. From your early preparations on them, what kind of game are you expecting from their defense?
They are a good team. I think we will have some things to get after them with, hopefully getting them scrambling a bit. We are still working on the offense executing the best that we can.
When the 2020 season comes to a conclusion, what goals have you set for yourself to accomplish?
Preparing myself the best I can for college football. Hopefully we can still make the playoffs. If we can make it to the playoffs, we will go from there. Our goal has been making the playoffs all offseason. We have not done that the last two years.
Which schools are showing recruiting interest but have not offered?
A lot of NAIA schools in Kansas, Southwestern College, Culver-Stockton, a lot of NAIA schools.
Which program has offered?
Bethel in Kansas.
Going back to last season, have you taken any visits?
Yes, I took one to Bethel last month. On a game day visit last year, I got to talk to their coaches. I havae been talking to their head coach for a while now – since last year. I verbally committed a couple of weeks ago and I plan on signing during the early signing period.
Oh, wow. Congratulations.
Thank you.
I had no idea. What type of offense does Bethel run?
They run the triple-action flex-bone from under center, the same thing we do. They were interested in me before we switched offenses.
A nice change of events for you. James, I appreciate your time today. Wishing you and the team can achieve your goal of making the playoffs this season.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Henault family; James Henault