His time at Northwestern began with a hazing scandal and a coaching change. At the end of his first season with his new team, he watched his old school, Michigan, win a national championship.
But through all of that, AJ Henning — a Lincoln-Way East graduate and the 2019 Daily Southtown Football Player of the Year — knew he had found a place for him to thrive in Evanston.
He found his college football home back at home.
“It’s been great coming back home and experiencing the feeling of brotherhood throughout this team,” Henning said. “Everyone accepted me with open arms when I got around the guys. Last season, preparing for whenever my number was called, was huge for me.
“This season, I’m so excited. It’s my last year of college football. It’s leaving everything out on the table, leaving no page unturned, crossing my T’s and dotting my I’s and leaving no regrets.”
As a senior wide receiver and kick returner last season, Henning gained the most opportunities of his college career and took advantage.
He made eight starts and totaled 45 catches for 418 yards and four touchdowns. He also had a combined 399 yards on kickoff and punt returns, which ranked third in the Big Ten. Adding 110 rushing yards and a TD, Henning finished with 927 all-purpose yards, ranking 12th in the league.
Henning certainly impressed coach David Braun, who took over the program after Sandburg graduate Pat Fitzgerald was fired amid last summer’s controversy and led the Wildcats to a surprising 8-5 record.
Northwestern wide receiver AJ Henning, a Lincoln-Way East graduate, walks through the stands onto the field for a Big Ten game against Iowa at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
“It is a good down for the Cats when AJ Henning has the ball in his hands, whether that be a special-teams down or an offensive down,” Braun said during his press conference in July at Big Ten Media Days. “The versatility that AJ embodies, the way that AJ brings a certain electric component and explosiveness to our offense and special teams, some of the things he was able to demonstrate throughout the season last year and in our bowl game against Utah.
“We are at our best when AJ Henning has the ball in his hands.”
Of course, it was not a smooth journey last season for Henning and his new teammates. But Henning said he never considered leaving Northwestern.
“It was a tough situation walking into it, but for me, it was a decision I made and I have no regrets,” Henning said. “I made a commitment to play at this university, and when everything was going down, I never wavered on that decision.
“I wanted to be here with these guys. I saw how hard they worked on a daily basis and I saw that they were really trying to do something special. Seeing how much the coaches poured into the players and how much the players cared about winning games, I knew I wanted to be here.”
As for watching his former teammates at Michigan win the national title?
Northwestern wide receiver AJ Henning (8), a Lincoln-Way East alum, is held up by his teammates after scoring in the fourth quarter against UTEP during a game at Ryan Field on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
Henning said after being part of back-to-back losses in the College Football Playoff semifinals, he was happy to see the Wolverines finish the job.
“I was definitely proud to watch them from afar,” he said. “Seeing them win it all, I felt like a part of me was a part of the foundation of that program. It was pretty cool to see with the relationships I still have within the team and guys I’ll be best friends with for a lifetime.
“It just gave me more motivation to get back to work with my team and go chase one this year.”
Henning is no longer the new guy at Northwestern. He’s a graduate student and a leader who was one of three players selected to represent the Wildcats at Big Ten Media Days.
Now, he’s ready to make the most of his last season of college football while hoping there’s more for him ahead.
“I just want to keep doing everything I’m asked of, make plays when my number is called,” Henning said. “If I keep doing that, I think my dream of playing at the next level is right within reach after this last season.”
