Posted March 13, 2009
Top Recruit Will Make Own Decision
Seantrel Henderson told Sports Headliners that despite his friendship with Michael Floyd, he will make his own college choice. Henderson, who will be a senior offensive tackle next fall at Cretin-Derham Hall regards Floyd, a former teammate at the St. Paul high school and now a star wide receiver at Notre Dame, as one of his “best friends.”
Floyd has said he will help Notre Dame pursue Henderson who is listed by rivals.com as the nation’s No. 1 recruit (regardless of position) for 2010. Asked if Floyd will be a factor in his decision, Henderson answered, “No, not really. I think it’s pretty much about me.”
Although Floyd was a high school All-American and other Minnesotans have been eagerly pursued by colleges over the years, Henderson is probably the most highly ranked prep nationally in state history. “It feels good but then at the same time there’s a lot of pressure. …It’s like the only place you can go is down,” Henderson said.
Henderson, who is reportedly about 6-8, 300 pounds, could probably choose any major football program including Notre Dame, Ohio State and Minnesota. He’s not interested in losers. “I won’t really want to go anywhere where the team is not that good,” he said. “As long as the team is up and coming then I am fine... .”
How much emphasis will playing at home for college receive? “Kind of in the middle,” he said. “I think about staying home a lot, and then I think about going out and seeing what’s at other places, too.”
Henderson, who regards himself as a better pass protector than run blocker, is far from decided about a school and believes the choice could be difficult. He said his skills are a good fit for a spread offense.
Seantrel Henderson is probably the most
highly ranked prep football player in state history.
"I won't really want to go anywhere
where the team is not that good."
Seantrel Henderson
Worth Noting
Irondale High School's Jimmy Gjere, about 6-7, 270-pounds, is another nationally regarded junior offensive tackle and he has verbally committed to the Gophers. He and Henderson could be a huge coup for the Gophers.
Matt Stommes, a senior next fall from Richmond, Minnesota, has been an obscure contributor for the Gophers in the past but may well be the team’s starting left offensive tackle for the 2009 season. Gopher coach Tim Brewster likes his potential.
Former starting offensive tackle Dom Alford is going to play left guard, likely on the first team. Looks like Notre Dame transfer Matt Carufel will be at right guard with junior college transfer Jeff Wills at right tackle.
Wisconsin transfer Kim Royston is expected to ease the possible loss of Tramaine Brock who started for the Gophers last season at safety but is back in junior college trying to become academically eligible.
The Gophers, who begin spring practice on March 24, could have not only more talent, but also increased depth at some positions. Tight end looks like an example where Jeff Tow-Arnett, a pro prospect, will be the starter but redshirt freshman Eric Lair and incoming freshman Ra’Shede Hageman are exceptional prospects.
Brewster said the Gophers will be searching for a place-kicker this spring and likely beyond. Four candidates will probably be competing in the spring including walk-ons.
New co-defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove is expected to impress with not only his coaching but recruiting. Brewster said Cosgrove will recruit St. Louis, Chicago and Kansas City.
Senator Tom Bakk (D-Cook) and Representative Lawrence Solberg (D-Grand Rapids) are providing the Vikings with advice on the stadium initiative.
Yahoo.com lists the Star Tribune No. 2 on a ranking of big city newspapers that could cease publication in the next 18 months, http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090309/us_time/08599188378500
Offensive tackle Matt Stommes could
become a starter and pro prospect next fall for the Gophers.
Kim Royston
Extra Innings
Twins left hander Francisco Liriano, who recently pitched four innings of no hit baseball in spring training, could be headed toward dominant performances reminiscent of 2006 before he hurt his elbow. An impressive spring comes after a strong finish last season when his record in the last 10 games was 5-1 with a 3.02 E.R.A. His season stats were 6-4, with a 3.91 E.R.A.
The Gophers helped themselves with a possible invitation to the NCAA basketball tournament with the win over Northwestern yesterday in the Big Ten tournament. It can’t hurt that coach Tubby Smith is president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and has done a lot of relationship building over the years.
Former Timberwolf Christain Laettner, who playing for Duke made the never-to-be forgotten NCAA tournament shot to beat coach Rick Pitino and Kentucky, stars in a commercial for Vitaminwater, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFNSl4IFRfg&feature=bz301
Timberwolves rookie forward Kevin Love, who played one season at UCLA, attended his first NHL game on Tuesday night, watching the Wild against San Jose at the Xcel Energy Center. He was a guest of Wild executive Bill Robertson who is a UCLA basketball fan. After the game Love received a locker room tour from Marian Gaborik. FS-North filmed a segment for an upcoming Wolves show about Love’s Wild game experience.
Ryan Wittman, the former Eden Prairie star, is a candidate for Ivy League Player of the Year after helping Cornell to a second straight conference title. The Cornell junior was featured in a New York Times article, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/sports/ncaabasketball/27cornell.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
The Wild’s Houston farm team is 10-2-0 in its last 12 games, in second place in the AHL West Division, and center Corey Locke leads the team in scoring with 63 points.
Matt Lopes and Melissa Mackley, both from Gustavus, are the MIAC men’s and women’s Hockey Athletes of the Week. Lopes made 17 saves in the Gusties' 5-2 win over Hamline in the MIAC Playoff Championship game last week. The win gave the Gusties, who are 17-10-0, an automatic entry to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1993. They play tomorrow night at UW-Superior.
Mackley, a forward, scored two goals to help the Gusties defeat St. Thomas 3-0 to win the MIAC Playoff Championship game last week. Gustavus, which won the MIAC playoff title for the sixth consecutive year, hosts UW-River Falls in a NCAA tournament quarterfinal game tomorrow afternoon. The Gusties have a 26-game unbeaten streak, the longest in collegiate women's hockey.
Matt Lopes
Melissa Mackley
