[LeeCoUKFan]

Catching up with linebacker commit Hendrix

Justin Rowland
CatsIllustrated.com Football Recruiting Analyst

Dorian Hendrix was one of Kentucky's earliest commitments, hence one of the recruits that got the ball rolling in the Class of 2014.

This is his last semester of high school and he's making the most of it.

The 6-foot linebacker from Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne told Cats Illustrated this week that he's happy with how his team has performed and how he's playing individually. Wayne is 5-1 on the season with a big game against Beaver Creek this week.

"Things are setting up pretty well," said Hendrix, who is his team's leading tackler with around 50 stops on the season. "It's going pretty well right now. I've been more focused on the team than what I'm doing individually but I think I've been playing pretty well."

In the past Hendrix was exclusively an inside linebacker for Wayne. That's still where he's playing for the most part but his coaches are switching him to play on the strong side at times as well.

"The coaches have told me they want me to come a little more downhill this year. It's been a 100-percent difference from last year. I've become a head hunter," Hendrix said. "I'm hitting harder. I'm going a little faster. They've said I've gotten better so going downhill is something I've focused on."

Hendrix, ranked the No. 26 inside linebacker in the nation according to Rivals.com, said he has attended Kentucky's games against Louisville and Miami (Ohio).

He was disappointed the Wildcats couldn't pull off the upset of Louisville and doesn't seem to be the type for moral victories.

"It was a great atmosphere," Hendrix said. "The game was sold out from what I was told. It gave me an idea of what I'd be expecting to play in front of in the next couple of years. They did well defensively and gave the offense shots at times. I think a couple more play makers are needed on that (offensive) side of the ball and defensively as well.

"I know coach (D.J.) Eliot and coach (Mark) Stoops are going to have the defense better than it was in the past. They showed me a lot."

The coaching staff has told Hendrix they want him to arrive in Lexington between 225-230 pounds. Since he's at "226 or 227" by his own estimation, Hendrix is focused on maintaining his current weight.

Hendrix plans to enroll at Kentucky early in January.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1560070