Seantrel Henderson’s teammates and coaches have forgiven him.
That doesn’t mean he gets his starting spot back.
Henderson met with reporters Saturday for the first time since his latest off-the-field transgression, which caused him to sit at home for last Saturday’s win over Georgia Tech. The senior right tackle was suspended by Miami for at least the third time in his career.
“I let my teammates down,” Henderson said. “I let my coaching staff down, the university, by not being able to be out there. I apologize to my team and the coaches. I’m just ready to move on and get ready for UNC.”
Henderson will return for the 13th-ranked Hurricanes’ next game, Thursday at North Carolina (7:30 p.m., ESPN). He would not disclose the nature of the violation, saying only that he broke team rules. He added that his coaches advised him to “(stay) with the team, (be) on time for everything (and make) sure I’m ahead of schedule for everything.”
“With Seantrel, he’s got to be out with good people, with his teammates,” junior offensive lineman Malcolm Bunche said. “We don’t want ’Trel to sit out. He’s a good player — a great player.
“You’ve got to be tough with Seantrel. You’ve got to be constantly in his ear. We’ve all made bad decisions. We’ve all (messed) up. But he just needs guidance, he just needs his teammates. We’re there for Seantrel. We’re always there for him, since his freshman year, since he came in.”
Coach Al Golden, who last week said he would no longer answer for Henderson, said the lineman was “contrite” in his apology to the team.
“He knows what he needs to do to move forward,” Golden said. “He’s been challenged, not just by me but by his peers. We’ve invested too much to go backwards on that.”
Henderson, once the No. 1 recruit in the nation out of St. Paul, Minn., has baggage to match his immense size (6-foot-8, 337 pounds) and athleticism.
He is considered by many experts to be a first-round talent, but his NFL draft stock is in flux. Also unknown: his role moving forward.
Miami’s offensive line, one of the largest in the country (average size of 6-6, 320), is also one of the most versatile. UM has a rotation of seven players, nearly all of whom can be used at multiple positions. It helps players stay fresh in Miami’s up-tempo, hot-weather practices and ensures the Hurricanes don’t miss a beat in case of injury.
Bunche and seniors Jared Wheeler and Brandon Linder can play all five positions. Junior Jon Feliciano, who started for Henderson at right tackle against Georgia Tech, plays guard or tackle. Henderson plays either tackle position and has seen time at guard. Left tackle Ereck Flowers can play the right side. Only starting center Shane McDermott hasn’t played a different spot in a game.
Against Georgia Tech, Miami had no negative plays aside from a sack allowed by Linder at right tackle. UM has given up just four sacks this year, which was tied for seventh in the nation heading into Saturday.
“I’ve never seen it to this extent,” Golden said of the line’s versatility. “What could be a greater example for your team, in terms of unselfishness and selflessness? It’s exactly what you want your team to be. There’s not anybody saying, ‘Well, this is my position. I don’t play any other position.’ We’ve all been around that throughout the years. We don’t get that from these guys.”
Henderson, currently listed as Linder’s backup at right tackle, says he’ll accept whatever role he’s assigned.
“It’s a next-man-up mentality,” Henderson said. “Everybody’s always on point. Everybody’s watching film together just in case anybody does go down — step right up and play ball.”
Berrios picks Canes: Miami received a verbal commitment Saturday from Braxton Berrios, a 5-8, 170-pound wide receiver. Berrios, a four-star recruit, chose UM over Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and Oregon. He is the 26th player to pledge for the Hurricanes' 2014 class.
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