One by one, Big East coaches raved about Chris Henry’s combination of size and speed and declared him virtually unstoppable. All except one: Rich Rodriguez. The West Virginia coach was reserved in his praise of the 6-foot-5, 195-pound junior receiver, who won Big East Rookie of the Year honors in 2003 but has earned a reputation as a combustible force this season. “He’s made some big plays for us,” Rodriguez said. “We think he still has a lot to learn.” That might be the scariest part about Henry. He’s an unfinished product. Rodriguez might temper his praise because of Henry’s actions against Rutgers, which drew two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, an ejection and a first-half suspension against Temple. Henry was penalized for posturing in celebration after a 69-yard pass set up one touchdown, and flipping the ball in the face of Scarlet Knights defensive back Joe Porter following a 39-yard touchdown catch. “Obviously, there was maybe too much made from it at the time,” Rodriguez said. “Hopefully, he’s learned from it.” If no one seems to know, it’s because Henry isn’t talking. Big East coaches are still smarting from their run-ins with Henry, who could play a key role when West Virginia (8-2, 4-1) plays Pitt (6-3, 3-2) at 8 p.m. Thursday at Heinz Field in the Backyard Brawl. Pitt coach Walt Harris is an admirer, calling Henry a “dominant player” and adding, “We’d love to have a guy 6-4 who runs like he does.” Harris went so far as to compare Henry to Antonio Bryant. “I don’t think he’s emotional; I think he is passionate,” Harris said of Henry. “As a coach, you love those guys who play with passion, who love to play, who want to win. Sometimes it boils over, but I’ll take that kind of guy every time.” Here’s a sampling of what others had to say: Boston College coach Tom O’Brien: “He’s a very dynamic talent. That size and that speed, it scares the heck out of you every time the ball goes up in his direction.” Connecticut coach Randy Edsall: “He’s a difference-maker, a guy that can change the complexity of the game. He has the ability to go up and get the ball, he can beat you deep and make plays. When you put on the film and study West Virginia, he’s a guy you’ve got to prepare for because he makes plays.” Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni: “He’s as tough as they come. What’s special about Chris Henry is not only is he big, but he’s real fast and can jump high. As far as it relates to Syracuse, it’s impossible to defend him. We have had two opportunities and failed two years in a row.”

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