Immokalee High graduate Aaron Henry is clearly one of the best players from Southwest Florida to suit up for the Wisconsin Badgers.
Henry, an NFL prospect after earning a business degree from Wisconsin in December who played cornerback for the Badgers for the past four seasons, had his best year in 2011, racking up 68 tackles and three interceptions.
The former Indian was also voted first team All-Big Ten by the coaches and was named to the conference’s all-academic team for the third straight year. Henry, a starter the last two years, helped Wisconsin win Big Ten titles the last two seasons.
But at the 32nd annual Badger Day on Thursday at Grey Oaks Country Club, Badgers coach Brett Bielema confessed that Henry has been surpassed by Jen Hielsberg as the region’s favorite Badger.
Bielema, 42, and Hielsberg will be married next month in Madison, Wis.
“She’s a Tampa girl,” Bielema said of Hielsberg. “She’s the best recruit out of South Florida ever. She pointed out the only two games we lost last season, she wasn’t at. We’ll make sure she’s at every game moving forward.”
Despite the excitement about the upcoming nuptials, Bielema is sad to see Henry move on but grateful for the cornerback’s contribution to the school on and off the field.
“Aaron had as big a hand as anyone in helping us win back-to-back Big Ten titles,” said Bielema, who in six years as Badgers coach has a 60-19 record. “Aaron was an incredible leader and has a great work ethic. He never took anything for granted. Aaron left Wisconsin a better place.
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