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FSU Recruiting: Malik Henry is ‘either going to be horrible or great’ at FSU?

By Kelvin Hunt

Jan 2, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Team Highlight's Henry Malik (16) throws a pass against Team Armour during the second half of the Under Armour All American Football Game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. Team Highlight beat Team Armour 27-0. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Team Highlight's Henry Malik (16) throws a pass against Team Armour during the second half of the Under Armour All American Football Game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. Team Highlight beat Team Armour 27-0. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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2016 Consensus Four Star Quarterback commit/Early Enrollee Malik Henry could be the next big thing at FSU.

The FSU football team looks to close strong on National Signing Day this week. They already have an important piece to the class in consensus four star quarterback Malik Henry. Henry has already enrolled at Florida State this spring as an early enrollee, and will try to push senior Sean Maguire and red-shirt freshman Deondre Francois for playing time with a competitive spring.

Of course Florida State has had its share of high-profile quarterback recruits not pan out. Do the names Adrian McPherson or Xavier Lee ring a bell?

Henry was rated as a five-star quarterback and the nation’s number one quarterback early on, but finished as the nation’s number four rated quarterback according to 247Sports. Henry endured a great deal of change his senior year in high school. The California product transferred to the IMG Academy in Florida, before transferring back to Long Beach Poly in California for his senior year while only being able to play in seven games.

Mike Farrell, national recruiting director of Rivals.com, spoke with the Tallahassee Democrat regarding how Henry’s Under Armour All-American game performance where he threw two touchdowns on 9-12 passes for 75 yards.

“He has a great week and a great game, and you throw away the last two seasons of inconsistency because now he’s peaking? You have to weigh the whole body of work.”

The change of teammates and coaches likely affected Henry’s high school performances, not to mention moving across the country and back. That’s a lot to ask of an adult, much less a high school senior.

“But who cares?” Farell said. “Five or four[star], he’s showed if he has protection, he can do anything he wants. You protect him, he will pick you apart, and that’s what I like about him.”

The Under Amour video above shows exactly that. The fact that FSU football coach Jimbo Fisher identified Henry as a sophomore and made him a priority should speak volumes. Fisher has had a great deal of success with quarterbacks, and must feel confident that Henry will be able to perform in the pro-style offense FSU uses.

Farell believes that Henry has the ability to put FSU in position to win another national championship, but could just as easily not have a major impact during his time as a Nole.

“He’s either going to be horrible or be great. There’s no in between,” Farrell said. “He’s not going to be an average quarterback at Florida State.”

Fisher has not had a quarterback that has been absolutely terrible since replacing Bobby Bowden at FSU. He helped EJ Manuel and Christian Ponder get drafted in the first round when neither of those guys were thought to be first round talents. However, both guys were considered very good college quarterbacks.

He seems to have the ability to anticipate and throw guys open similar to Jameis Winston. He seems to have a good grasp on how to run the read option unlike EJ Manuel. However, he definitely needs to add some size to his frame to prepare his body for the rigors of big boy football if he wants to be able to stay on the field if he’s ever named the starter.

What type of mark will Malik Henry leave at FSU? Will he start a game? Will he take FSU back to the promised land and win another Natty? Will he be another Xavier Lee?

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