2010 Season Preview: Jason Hensley

Jason Hensley is so very close to returning to the game he's grown to love, but the road to recovery hasn't been easy. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound inside linebacker from Alma (AR) High School suffered a broken fibula during spring football, and has been out of action since that time. However, with his senior season fast approaching, Hensley is looking forward to making his return to the gridiron field.

Hensley on when he will make his debut this season:

I actually got injured in spring football practice, so I've been out since then. Right now, I'm planning to return for the first conference game. I'd like to make my return against Morrilton on September 24, which is the first conference game. We (Alma HS) open the season on September 3 against Van Buren. We travel to Sallisaw on September 10 and then play Russellville on September 17. The fourth game of the year we play Morrilton, so that's when I plan to return.

Hensley on where he's at, health wise, as the season approaches:

Right now, I'm just going through a bunch of rehab. I'm starting to jog a little bit, and I'm working on cutting, but nothing full speed. I can't start to run (full speed) until September 15, and I'm also waiting on a special brace that I have to wear whenever I run. We're shooting for the first conference game, so that's where my focus is at right now.

Hensley on what type of emotions he'll face during his first game back:

I've actually thought about that, but the injury I suffered was a freak accident, so I've got nothing to fear or worry about. I'm just going to go out there and play full speed and not play scared. If you play scared, then you're probably going to get hurt again.

Hensley on the role he'll play this season:

When I make my return, I'll start out playing defense. Towards the end of the season, I'll probably be playing some tailback, but until I make my return and get comfortable on the field, I'm not going to play offense and defense. I'll start out playing defense.

Hensley on returning to Kansas this season:

I plan to make it up to Kansas for a lot of the home games. I'd love to make it up for the Georgia Tech game and I'd love to attend as many home games as I can. I've talked to the coaching staff about coming up to as many games as I can, so that's my plan.

Alma 2010 schedule:

Van Buren (Van Buren, AR)

@ Sallisaw (Sallisaw, OK)

Russellville (Russellville, AR)

@ Morrilton (Morrilton, AR)

Vilonia (Vilonia, AR)

Harrison (Harrison, AR)

@ Huntsville (Huntsville, AR)

@Greenbrier (Greenbrier, AR)

Siloam Springs (Siloam Springs, AR)

@ Greenwood (Greenwood, AR)

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