Pictured: Ben Davis, Johnny Moynihan, TJ Curran, and Macklin Pettee (l to r) join Henry Donohue (49) on the field after the Michigan-Ohio State game. Photo courtesy of Henry Donohue.

Dec. 6, 2023: At this time of year, most people are getting ready for the holidays and looking forward to spending time with friends and family.  Bronxville’s Henry Donohue, who plays for the No. 1 Michigan football team, plans to be home for two days but will spend most of December preparing to play in college football’s oldest bowl game. Michigan will face No. 4 Alabama on January 1^st in the Rose Bowl.

Donohue, a 2021 graduate of Bronxville High School and outstanding All-Section running back for the Broncos, hoped to play football in college, but the pandemic interfered with the recruiting process.  While many states allowed high school football in the fall of 2020, New York postponed the season until the spring, and Donohue did not have the usual senior highlight tapes to send to schools. Undeterred, he decided to go to Michigan and hoped to walk on to the team.

Donohue reached out to the Michigan coaches during his senior year and met with them when he visited the campus in June. In October of his freshman year, he tried out for the team, but the coach he had been in contact with left to coach at Washington. Donohue did not give up, got in touch with that coach’s replacement, and was invited to join the Wolverines in January of his freshman year.

“I have told people that I’m playing football, and they ask if I’m playing intramurals.  I tell them, ‘No, I’m playing for Michigan.’ It’s hard for people to wrap their heads around it. It’s just so rare for someone from this area to play at that level.”

Donohue has seen the field multiple times, mostly on special teams, but he has also gotten in a couple times at running back.

“I did not play much my sophomore year. I got in against UConn, but this year I have been playing a bit more on special teams and played in games against Rutgers, Purdue, and Indiana on the kickoff and kickoff return teams. There is a lot of depth at running back, so my goal is to carve out a role on special teams.”

Henry Donohue (#49) at running back for the Wolverines. Photo courtesy of Henry Donohue.

Michigan clinched the Big Ten Championship last weekend with a 26-0 win over Iowa, but their biggest game of the season was the week before when they defeated another Big Ten top contender, Ohio State. Four of Donohue’s buddies from Bronxville, Ben Davis, Johnny Moynihan, TJ Curran, and Macklin Pettee, were at the game and stormed the field after the win.  In the middle of thousands of exuberant fans, they somehow managed to find Donohue.

Only one other Bronxville football player has made it to this level of college football. Carl Andrew Vergari walked on at Texas joining the team as a sophomore. When Donohue was in high school, there was a newspaper clipping about Vergari right outside the weight room where the football team worked out.

“People could not believe he was able to walk on,” said Donohue. “It is truly a rare thing to do. I would read the article and realize that it’s possible that someone from Bronxville can play at that level.”

Donohue had an outstanding high school football career for Bronxville. As a senior captain, he helped lead the Broncos to a 6-0 season. He finished with over 2,000 career yards of total offense including 943 rushing yards during his senior year. He produced fourteen total touchdowns and averaged 157 yards per game. Donohue was the Class C/D MVP and was also the recipient of the 2021 Golden Dozen Scholar-Athlete Award for accomplishments in athletics, academics and community service.

Donohue’s hard work on the Michigan football team has extended to the classroom. He was named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2023 and was also recognized as an Academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2022.

“I think it really comes down to time management skills,” said Donohue. “I do not have much time and am either practicing, watching film or doing homework. I am very proud of my accomplishments and want to continue to maintain my academic performance and climb up depth charts on the team.”

Michigan football made history this fall by surpassing 1000 all-time wins and becoming the winningest team in college football history. Last weekend, the Wolverines won Big Ten Championship for the third year in a row. 

Donohue (far left) and teammates after winning the Big Ten Championship last week. Photo courtesy of Henry Donohue.

“I think we have a great brotherhood,” said Donohue. “You need commitment and trust with all your teammates. You can see that on our team. It’s a great group, and there have been a ton of great moments with my teammates.”

The next big moment for the Wolverines will take place on New Year’s Day when Donohue and his teammates meet Alabama in the Rose Bowl. They will spend the rest of December working hard at practice and getting to know Alabama as well as they can.

“Alabama will be a great challenge. We think we are the best, and we have to prove that. When you play at Michigan or any Big Ten school you want to play in the Rose Bowl.  It’s ‘The Granddaddy of Them All.’”

The 110th Rose Bowl Game will be broadcast on January 1st at 4:00PM EST on ESPN.

Donohue playing in a Michigan game.

Photos courtesy of Henry Donohue.