Interview: 3-Star 2019 Oregon State DE Commit Kelsen Hennessy Still Receiving Pac-12 Interest

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

When push comes to shove, there may not be a person outside the Oregon State University program more immersed in all things Corvallis than Kelsen Hennessy. The Clackamas High School standout has a long bloodline entrenched in the Beavers program that includes his grandfather who suited up for the football team, a cousin that played baseball there, an aunt that ran track for OSU and an older brother who received his degree from the university. Even Hennessy himself loves the program committing to the Beavers 2019 class on Nov. 18, 2017, but that has not stopped outside interest from coming in for the three-star recruit.

Over the past two seasons, all that Clackamas has seemingly done is win on the gridiron. In 2016, they posted a 10-3 record pushing their game to the limit last season with a perfect 14-0 run to the championship trophy capturing an Oregon state title with a 31-30 win over South Medford. As the Cavaliers were marching through 6A competition towards history, their 6-5, 260-pound, defensive end was on a tear of his own. When the season had concluded, Hennessy accounted for 57 tackles, 37 solo, 15 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.

With the recruiting spotlight shifting from 2018 players in February full-tilt towards the 2019 class, Power Five Programs up-and-down the west coast are reaching out to Hennessy letting him know they are interested. In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with the recruiting magnet after a showing at the Nike Opening Regional in San Francisco to learn more about his game and offseason workouts.

Interview

Kelsen, you may be tired of this question already, but what was the championship run like for the Cavaliers in 2017?

“We had the motto “pound the rock” last year. Our entire program lives by that. We have a big boulder in the weight room, we’d ‘pound the rock’ every time we go in there. We kept pounding away with our workouts improving our strength, speed, and agility. We knew if we kept working hard, it would all fall into place. We got our first championship last season, that was a great feeling. Everyone is in the weight room all the time, five days a week. We are still pounding the rock.”

The showdown against South Medford for the title was a nail-biter going down to the closing seconds, how did the game play out?

“In the final seconds, with about two minutes left, the guy opposite of me forced a fumble. Our safety recovered it. Our offense, had about 80 yards to go with us being down two points. We threw the ball to get downfield. All our receivers and tight ends were pulling in the ball and making plays. Our kicker, Jeffery Nelson, hit a 30-something field goal with three seconds left in the game to win it.”

Wow. You already said it was a great feeling, but when the ball went through the uprights, what was that experience like for you?

“I was in shock. Winning the way we did, that was surreal.”

Of the five playoff games you guys played, which one was your best?

“I think every game was good for me. I played well throughout the playoffs.”

Throughout the season you shinned at defensive end, what do you consider the strengths of your game at that position?

“My length and being able to keep offensive line away from me. I am good at stopping the run. I can control the linemen; I can control the B and C gap. My speed is a strength. I chased a couple of guys down last season. I chased one guy down about 40 yards down the field.”

Looks like you have the push-pull method down against right tackles, what other moves do you use on the field?

“Push-pull is my go-to move. I like spin moves and club-rip or club-swim.”

You got to experience that rare treat for defensive linemen in 2017 scoring a touchdown. When you recovered the fumble in the end zone for the score, what were you thinking?

“I was confused honestly. I recovered the ball, and the refs hand went up. I was like whoa, this actually happening.”

With offseason workouts well under way for your senior season, what all are you working on this spring and summer?

“I am working with E-Force for my speed and quickness. I am working on getting quicker, and quicker off the line. If I can get off the ball faster, and shock linemen, that is what I like to do. You want to be stronger and faster. I am working mostly on speed and keeping my strength up.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room this offseason?

“I have maxed out. My bench is 315, squat 415, and my power clean is 275.”

I saw you on March 4 at the Nike Opening Regional in Santa Clara, have you attended any other camps or combines yet in 2018?

“So far, just the Nike Opening. I am planning on going to an Oregon State camp for fun this summer. I enjoy football, it is my hobby. I want to stay busy with it. I was invited to Rivals, but did not go. I want to experience other camps. We do a team camp in Linfield as well.”

You committed to Oregon State on Nov. 18, what led you to commit to the Beavers?

“It feels like home when I am there. I really like the area there. All the coaches there, I have met all the coaches, all of them are great. Their defensive line coach, Coach (Legi) Suiaunoa is great. James Rodgers, he is their director of player development, and Mike Riley (tight ends), I watched them growing up.”

Are other programs still taking a run at you, if so, which schools?

“Cal offered me recently. Oregon is in contact with me, so is Utah State, Utah, Harvard, Washington, Washington State, USC, and UCLA a little bit.”

Do you have an Oregon State upcoming visit planned?

“I will make time to go up there soon. A lot of schools want me to visit for spring games. I will probably go to a Cal spring practice upcoming. It all depends if I can make it and finances.”

Last question. The Cavaliers were a good team in 2016 going 10-3. The team made the jump up for a season to remember in 2017, what do you guys have to do this offseason and once the ball officially kicks off to successfully defend your title?

“Our defense will be really-really strong this year. We are losing a lot of guys on offense, but the 2020 class coming up is good. Our defensive front will be good. We are losing a lot of offensive play-makers – our quarterback, two receivers, our tight end, three offensive linemen, and both our senior running backs are gone. That side needs rebuilding, but I think we have the talent to do that.

“We are keeping with pound the rock. If we keep pounding the rock, we will be okay. We have some transfers coming, CJ Jordan from Jesuit, is one of them. He is a good quarterback. We will be okay this year.”

Kelsen, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com a national site aiding in bringing exposure to amazing student-athletes!

If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!

Photo credit: Hennessy family; Kelsen Hennessy at Oregon State and Cal

Leave a Reply