Brent Venables lures 285-pound son of WWE Hall of Famer to Oklahoma football roster
Millennials are in the age range where certain names invoke a memory from our childhood, and the Oklahoma Sooners just scratched a familiar itch. If you were a WWE (or WWF) fan in the 1990s and 2000s, then you'd know Mark Henry as "The World's Strongest Man." Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is hoping his […]
Millennials are in the age range where certain names invoke a memory from our childhood, and the Oklahoma Sooners just scratched a familiar itch. If you were a WWE (or WWF) fan in the 1990s and 2000s, then you'd know Mark Henry as "The World's Strongest Man." Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is hoping his son, Jacob Henry, brings that same level of strength to his football team.
Jacob Henry, a 285-pound freshman wrestler already at Oklahoma, has been accepted as a walk-on with the football team. The former 3-star prospect shared this to his social media pages:
He achieved recognition as a three-time state placer during his high school years, culminating in his senior season, where he secured 37 wins and finished as the runner-up in the Class 6A 285-pound category. Additionally, he earned the title of USAW Texas Freestyle State Champion and excelled in track and field, placing in the top four statewide in shot put.
With his size and strength, Henry has a chance to walk on with the Sooners; however, he faces a challenging journey to earn a role in the defensive tackle rotation. This position group is notably the most competitive on the team.
Nevertheless, Henry’s natural ability to leverage his strength and his physical play style at the line of scrimmage, coupled with his high school experience, should facilitate a smooth transition.
During his senior year, Henry showcased impressive quickness and athleticism at the line of scrimmage and demonstrated a relentless work ethic.
While his journey may be unconventional, many players from diverse backgrounds have risen to stardom at the University of Oklahoma. Could Jacob Henry be the next success story?
Who is Mark Henry?
Mark Henry enjoyed an impressive wrestling career in WWE that lasted more than twenty years. A former Olympic weightlifter and powerlifter, Henry made his transition to professional wrestling in 1996 by signing with WWE. He was initially portrayed as an American hero and strongman, quickly garnering attention for his incredible strength.
In his early days, Henry was a member of the Nation of Domination, a faction that played a significant role in helping him hone his in-ring abilities and develop his character. He later adopted the “Sexual Chocolate” gimmick, which added a comedic yet entertaining twist to his career. However, by the mid-2000s, Henry redefined his persona, emerging as a formidable and destructive competitor.
His most significant resurgence came in 2011 during the "Hall of Pain" era, where he ruthlessly dominated his opponents and defeated top stars like Randy Orton, ultimately claiming the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Night of Champions 2011. This victory solidified his position as a top-level competitor.
In 2018, Mark Henry was honored with induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, acknowledging his significant contributions to wrestling. His legacy as a powerful competitor and key figure in WWE endures, marking him as one of the most dominant big men in wrestling history.
