Pirates' Henriksen commits to UM
Polson defenders Braunson Henriksen (52) and Dawson Dumont (21) close in on Billings Central quarterback Adam Balkenbush during a state quarterfinal game in Polson. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
Braunson Henriksen is one step closer to playing football for the Grizzlies.
The 6 foot 5 inch, 240-pound Polson High School senior made a verbal commitment last week to play football for the University of Montana.
“I’m beyond blessed to announce my commitment to @MontanaGrizFB,” Henriksen posted Dec. 8 on Twitter. “I can’t wait to continue my academic and athletic career as a Grizzly! Thank you to all the friends, family, and coaches who have helped me along the way to get to where I am today! Go Griz!”
Henriksen, a two-way lineman for the Pirates, notched an interception, an onside kick recovery, a pair of forced fumbles, eight sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss his senior season while leading the team with seven hurries. He also had 48 tackles and a team-high eight sacks.
He was named to the Class A all state team after helping guide the Pirates to a 10-1 record and a trip to the state semifinals. He was named Defensive co-MVP for the West, along with junior linebacker Liam O’Connell of Hamilton.
Henriksen’s grandfather, Douglas Gale Henriksen, played basketball for the Grizzlies in the 1950s. Braunson also is a starter this winter on the Polson basketball team.
“I knew my heart was in Missoula,” Henriksen said Tuesday. “To be a Griz has always been a huge goal for me, and I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”
He said Griz defensive line coach Barry Sacks was pivotal in his recruitment, and he expects to play defensive end, “but I’ll play wherever they want me.”
He said Montana State also recruited him heavily, as did Eastern Washington and several schools in the Frontier Conference.
Henriksen will likely enter UM as a preferred walk-on, with a full scholarship coming after his first year on campus. His verbal commitment is not binding. The next step for him is to sign an official letter of intent this winter or early spring.