We're In For Years Of Legendary Press Conferences If Draft Prospect Daiyan Henley Succeeds In The NFL

Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley is my new favorite player in the 2023 NFL Draft. He might only be 80th on my top-100 big board, but that fact is irrelevant as of now. After a strange, six-year journey through college football that featured not one but two position changes — and five full years at Nevada before joining the Cougars in 2022 — Henley has hit his stride and is firmly in position to be a Day 2 draft pick.

While we're here, quick aside: Chris Simms is wilding with some his draft takes. He has Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. as the No. 5 EDGE prospect in the 2023 class. 

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Anderson might actually go second overall to the Houston Texans. Simms is right more often than he gets credit for, at least in my experience, so I'm fascinated to see how that plays out.

Alrighty. Regardless of what happens with Will Anderson, shoutout to Simms for enlightening me about the oratory brilliance of one Daiyan Henley.

Never mind that linebacker isn't the most valuable of positions in the modern NFL. This type of personality in an NFL locker room seems like so much fun and is one of those intangible "it" factors talent evaluators are exploring every corner of the country for. Tell me you wouldn't want Henley on your team after watching these clips.

Henley converted from wide receiver (two years) to safety (one injury-shortened year) and finally to linebacker for his last three collegiate seasons. His unique background lends well to playing coverage and understanding route concepts. He's quick to diagnose plays oftentimes and is a sure-as-hell tackler. All those skills bode well for a transition to the pros, despite his being relatively new to playing linebacker. You can get a feel for Henley's explosive athleticism based on his Combine testing numbers:

OK now that I've gassed up this dude's football attributes, let me say: The second Henley hears his name called on draft night, he'll already be an All-Pro at the podium. 

As a Mike McDaniel presser connoisseur, there is a very high standard for anyone who dares challenge the Miami Dolphins head coach for the NFL's (unofficial) press conference championship belt. 

Not taking anything away from Saints running back Jamaal Williams, by the way! He's hilarious. 

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But damn man, as much as I love my guy McDaniel and as much as I fuck with a Williams postgame interview, Daiyan Henley might actually give both those established comedians a run for their money.

Is anyone else particularly good at press conferences these days? Russell Wilson is hella awkward and weird. Bill Belichick is legendarily prickly. My man Joe Burrow is a little more guarded these days. Still very compelling but I'm admittedly biased so I won't count him. Uhh…Nick Sirianni does and says weird shit sometimes? Sean McVay is a relentless, one-volume-and-tone speaker.

Dan Campbell. There he is. My All-Pro ballot can be divided into coaches and players. For coaches, McDaniel is first-team All-Pro status, with MCDC firmly in the second-team slot. For now, I'll keep Jamaal Williams as the players' first-teamer, but I'm already comfortable plugging Henley in just behind him.

OK. Now that that's settled, here's Henley playing football good:

Twitter @MattFitz_gerald/TikTok