Interview: 2021 TE Henry Deakins Talks Football and Transfer to Sierra Canyon
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Versatile tight ends are hard to come by these days, which makes Class of 2021 talent Henry Deakins all the more special on the field. The 6-3, 220-pound, Los Angeles area product is an every down player capable of moving the line of scrimmage on running plays while moving the chains on passing downs. Deakins popped up on the recruiting scene as a sophomore hauling in 11 passes for 139 yards with a score and became more of a featured threat in Notre Dame High School’s offense in 2019 with 17 passes secured for 220 yards with three trips into the end zone. With his size and skills, along with academic success carrying a 4.1 weighted cumulative GPA, college coaches along the west and east coast are tracking Deakins progress.
As Deakins prepares for a big senior season and a role in a new offense at Sierra Canyon, we sat down for a catch-up interview.
Interview
Henry, it has been a while since we last caught up. If you will, catch me up on the 2019 season and how it went for you.
“For me, I had a great season, better than in 2018. I improved on many aspects of my game like with my blocking, route running, and receiving, but there is always room to improve. For my senior year, I am working to improve my stats and skills in all areas. To the team, we could have had a better season. We had too many injuries that cost us dearly.”
As a tight end, how were the coaches using your receiving talents? What were some of the routes you were running?
“On delays, quick outs, that was my most popular route, and I ran some longer routes like corners, seams, 10-yard ins, go and fades. This season, they trusted me a lot more than my sophomore season. They realized they had a blocking and receiving tight end. I was the third top receiver on our team, that was a big deal for me at Notre Dame.”
You touched on this a minute ago, how did your game improve as a blocker this past season?
“I got bigger and stronger which helps with run blocking. My aggressiveness improved. I was out running routes, so I did not do too many pass-pros. When I did, I never gave up a sack. My run blocking definitely got better. I was driving people back to create lanes and to help score touchdowns. My footwork as a blocker improved. I had shorter and harder steps driving the defender back.”
This offseason you have transferred to Sierra Canyon, how might they use you in the offense in 2020?
“When I first spoke with Coach (Jon) Ellinghouse, they have not had a tight end who can catch like me. They will start using a more pro-style offense that features the tight end. They will use me for what I am, a receiving and a blocking tight end. He will focus on using me as a receiving tight end; I am very happy with that.”
This has been touched on as well, but to go in-depth, what are you working on with your game this offseason?
“Improving overall. I am working on improving my speed, agility, and my strength. I want to get stronger and bigger, and I want to get my weight up. I am working with Coach Danny (Hernandez) with (QB) Chayden Peery (Sierra Canyon). I am working on my footwork, route running, and hands. I am getting used to Chayden. He is a great quarterback and I am excited to play with him this year.”
With recruiting, which schools are showing interest?
“Yale, a lot. I’m taking the SAT soon. I will see where we can get with that once I receive my score. Other Ivy League teams are showing interest, Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth, and UPenn. I am also receiving a little interest from Stanford and mail from Utah.”
Over the last few months, have you taken any unofficial visits?
“Yes. I went to Utah during the season. I saw a game and toured the facility. I also went on an east coast trip, I toured all the Ivy League schools: Yale, Harvard, Georgetown, and Columbia. We started in Boston and went down to DC.”
How did the Utah trip go?
“I liked it a lot. I enjoyed the game. They had us on the field; it was cold. I’m not used to that, but I can be. They asked me to come back. They were kind. I was impressed with their facilities, their weight room, their practice facility, and their indoor field. I met with their tight ends coach, Coach (Freddie) Whittingham. We went over my film. That was a cool experience. I had never done that before with a college coach. He allowed me to ask questions. That was very cool.”
And what about Yale, how did that visit go?
“It was great. I loved the campus. I met all the coaches and after the tour I saw their facilities and the stadium. I loved the stadium. We were on a tight schedule, so we did not stay long. But I tried on some of the gear and I got some pics. I met their tight ends coach, Coach Matt Cerins; I liked him a lot. I would love to be coached by him. The campus, I thought it was beautiful. We were there right at sunset. Yale has an old campus; the tradition is amazing. We saw the Skull and Bones building. The coaches said some of the football players are in that society.”
Last one I’ll ask about. Tell me about the Penn visit.
“I liked it as well. I like the city. Philadelphia is great. I’m used to a city vibe. Being at UPenn, it matched me well. The campus was beautiful. Franklin field was great and the coaches were nice. Their receiver coach, Coach (Rick) Ulrich, was very funny. He is a great coach from what I can see. I liked their weight room, and it is right next to the stadium. The Eagles used to play there. All of their facilities are being redone.”
Looking ahead, do you have any planned visits in the coming months?
“I will go back to east coast to visit Yale, UPenn, and Harvard. I have been invited to several camps. I am going to a Yale camp for sure. I might go back to Stanford and Utah over the summer as well.”
Henry, it was great catching up with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you success with the rest of your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Henry Deakins at Yale with teammates