The country’s No. 1 offensive lineman, Seantrel Henderson, announced on National Signing Day that he had selected USC over scholarship offers from Ohio State, Florida, Notre Dame, Miami and Minnesota. However, Henderson did not sign with the Trojans and the Buckeyes remain in contact.
Offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham), the country’s No. 1 offensive line prospect and the No. 8 overall prospect on the ESPNU 150, announced on National Signing Day he had selected USC over Ohio State Notre Dame, Florida, Miami and Minnesota.
However, the 6-foot-7 and 300-pound Henderson did not actually sign with the Trojans. Henderson and his father Sean indicated at the time they wanted to see what might happen when the NCAA infractions committee met with USC later this month.
Moments ago, Sean expounded in an interview with Bucknuts.com.
“At the time we didn’t sign we got caught up taking pictures and all that stuff,” Sean said. “And we had tickets for the (New York) Knicks game that night.
“We had the intention of signing, but after we spoke some more we said ‘why don’t we wait.’ We figured it would be best to at least see where the (infractions) committee might be leaning. We won’t know their decision (at that time), but we can maybe see where they are leaning.
“We just want to make sure we are making the best decision.”
When asked what type of penalties or sanctions against USC would cause his son to sign with someone else, Sean said, “Many things can go into that. Things like loss of scholarships, loss of television time and bowl games, the length of a probation. All of those are important to Seantrel. And any parent should have that type of concern.
“So we think it’s best to see what type of consequences there might be. (Seantrel) wants to be completely comfortable with his decision. If he felt the penalties were too extreme he would want to look at his other options.”
Sean said if the penalties were extreme his son might open the recruiting process back up to all of the other five finalists, Ohio State, Miami, Florida, Notre Dame and Minnesota, but not necessarily. The Buckeyes would be one of the front runners. When Seantrel announced his decision he said Ohio State was his second choice.
“Everybody had plusses in different directions,” Sean said. “Seantrel genuinely liked everybody. I don’t think there was any bad choice. But we have heard more lately from Ohio State and Miami than anybody else. And of course the home-town Gophers are in there.”
When asked if the Buckeyes have been actively recruiting his son since last Wednesday, Sean said, “Yes. We’ve gotten a couple e-mails from Ohio State.”
The NCAA infractions committee is expected to meet with USC between Feb.19-21.
Stay tuned. Bucknuts.com will!
