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Cory Hendrix's bond with Lee Grimes was the main factor

Cory Hendrix had 14 division offers and could have gone to schools several different schools ranging from the Big 12 to SEC to ACC to Pac-12.

On Sunday afternoon he announced his verbal commitment to Kansas.

One of the main reasons he chose the Jayhawks is the long-time relationship he has with offensive line coach Lee Grimes. When Grimes was coaching at Texas A&M, he met Hendrix at a summer camp and worked with him. Ever since the two have followed each other.

Hendrix plays at College Station High School right down the road from Texas A&M.

“With the whole recruiting process, I always told myself that I wanted to go to a place that really wants me and a place that I could fit in their system really well,” Hendrix said. “At Kansas I can fit in well. Just talking to Coach Grimes and how consistent he is with me and what he shows is definitely different than all the other coaches.

“I can tell that he wants me there, he wants the best for me, and he can see the future with me. I've mentioned it before, just his consistency all the way back to A&M when I was a little, freshmen. He hasn't stepped off the gas pedal on recruiting me, and that means a lot to me.”

Ever since that time as a freshman Grimes and Hendrix have had a special connection. There were a lot of Power Five schools that came calling and Hendrix knew the Jayhawks were his choice for a while.

He described the feeling in his stomach was different with Kansas than any other school. Everything kept going back to Grimes and how he can develop at Kansas.

“Trust was a very big factor,” Hendrix said. “It's one of the biggest factors, just because I want to go to a great coaching staff. I don't want to go there just because of their facilities or just because they win games or stuff like that. I want to go where I can become a better player, a better man, just become a better person overall, and also a place where I can get a great education and also just learn a lot.

“I definitely know that Coach Grimes can provide that for me, and it's something I'm really looking forward to and I can definitely trust him about.”

The relationship Hendrix had with Lee Grimes was the deciding factor picking Kansas
The relationship Hendrix had with Lee Grimes was the deciding factor picking Kansas

Hendrix has been paying attention to the news and knows that Les Miles is currently on administrative leave. That didn’t keep him from giving his commitment to Kansas because he’s looking at the program beyond the head coach.

“It was a little scary hearing that,” Hendrix said of Miles. “I was like, dang, right before I make my decision, these things are coming out. Of course, the head coach means a lot, and the connection I have with the head coach means a lot. But at the end of the day, he isn't going to be the one coaching me.

“He's not going to show me how to take my first step or how to block this way or that way. Unless Coach Grimes ends up leaving, it's not a big factor for me. Of course, I'd like Coach Miles to stay. But if he ends up having to leave, then I'll understand. And I'm still just there because Coach Grimes is a very good offensive line coach, and I know that he could take me places.”

Hendrix did his research and looked at all of the schools recruiting him. He had several conversations with his parents and high school coaches before making his decision. He is already looking forward to his days as a Jayhawk.

“It's an amazing feeling just recognizing that all my hard work and my dedication has paid off,” he said. “I can start planning on calling Kansas home and planning my future there knowing that I made the best decision for myself.

“It's truly just a blessing because a lot of people don't get the chance to do this. And I'm very grateful for the opportunity that Coach Miles and Coach Grimes gave me. I'm excited to get up there, and it's just an amazing feeling.”

Hendrix becomes the fifth commitment in the 2022 class and gives the Jayhawks one of the top 25 classes in the Rivals rankings. He is currently rated the eighth-best offensive tackle prospect in the state of Texas.

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