Chris Henry
When Arizona running back Chris Henry decided to declare for April’s NFL draft as a junior, it came as a big surprise to most people. Whether or not he made the right decision still remains to be seen.
Henry stands as the third-leading rusher on the Tennessee Titans this preseason, with 20 carries for 57 yards (2.9 yards per carry). He is behind Chris Brown and LenDale White. Henry did not play in Tennessee’s most recent preseason game Friday.
Though Henry only started seven games for Arizona last season – finishing with 581 yards on 165 attempts (3.5 yards per carry) – he didn’t disappoint at the NFL Combine, especially in the 40-yard dash.
In just 4.43 seconds, Henry went from being an under-the-radar prospect to possibly one of the premier tailbacks in the draft.
Just weeks after, the Titans selected Henry with the 18th pick of the second round.
“”Just seeing what (Henry) has been able to accomplish, he has got the bar raised high,”” said current Arizona running back Chris Jennings, who is set to fill in for Henry on this year’s Arizona squad.
“”You can’t do anything but pat him on the back and say ‘Good job,’ “” Jennings said.
Nick Folk
After kicking his way into Arizona fans’ hearts last season, Nick Folk is in the running to continue his success as a starter with the Dallas Cowboys.
Folk made all three of his field-goal attempts in the first three weeks of the preseason, including one from 52 yards. Martin Gramatica, Folk’s main rival, stands 1-for-2, missing his only attempt from over 50 yards.
After making all of his 22 extra-point attempts last season and hitting on 15 of 20 field-goal attempts with a long of 52 in 2006, the Cowboys chose Folk with the fourth selection of the sixth round.
Gramatica is the current leader on the depth chart.
Michael Johnson
As a senior safety on an Arizona defense that ranked fourth in the Pacific 10 Conference in pass defense in 2006, Johnson earned a second-team All-Pac-10 honor.
Before missing the final two games due to a quadriceps injury last season, Johnson started the first 10 games, recording 47 tackles and an interception.
The New York Giants took Johnson with the 14th pick of the seventh round and has recorded one solo tackle this preseason.
Syndric Steptoe
After the Cleveland Browns parted ways with former UA receiver Dennis Northcutt last year, the team was in the market for a speedy return man – another Wildcat, as it turned out.
The Browns took Steptoe with the 24th pick of the seventh round. Three weeks into the preseason, Steptoe has hauled in three catches for 43 yards and returned six punts for 46 yards.
Steptoe started all 12 games for the Wildcats in 2006, finishing the season with 55 catches for 568 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned 16 kicks for 409 yards.
“”I feel like I am going to fit in fine,”” Steptoe told the Arizona Summer Wildcat on July 18. “”This is the Cleveland Browns organization, and I feel like they drafted me for a reason. Basically, I am just going into camp and competing, and whatever they need me to do, I will do.””
Steptoe agreed to terms for a four-year deal with the Browns on July 22.
– compiled by Ari Wasserman
