Being a University of Southern California football fan, I naturally thrust my victorious fist in the air, while lying in bed early in the morning and hearing Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) report that Seantrel Henderson signed with my favorite college football team. Henderson said of the decision: “I’m finally at peace.” Coincidentally, the hand symbol for Trojan Football fans is the “Victory Sign”, otherwise known as the “Peace Sign.” To quote an Ice Cube song, “It was a good day.”As a result of his decision, Henderson will enter a Southern California football institution that puts out National Championships, NFL superstars, and Hollywood media adoration like none other. It’s a good thing that Henderson is a well-grounded individual, and strongly focused on his education; likely these are the qualities that have led him to his current level of success.
Many times I’ve ranted about the quality of student athletic talent in Minnesota. Henderson is just the latest and greatest (I mean he did choose USC) example to prove that point. Hopefully, Twin Cities’ student athletes seriously grasp the momentum that Henderson and the many recent academically sound, athletic superstars are providing. At this point I would think that the case should be closed as to whether Minnesota athlete’s can consistently make it big. Like most former athletes, I have a big heart for trying to influence those many talented, bright young stars that take the wrong routes in their early life and miss out on all the opportunity that is available to them. Minnesota Gophers Head Coach Tim Brewster commented that Henderson could embark on an amazing journey if he were to join the Gophers. Somehow, I think that the light from the torch that Henderson carries will benefit the Gophers, and the state of sports participation overall in the Twin Cities.
As for the Gophers 2010 football recruiting class, at a glance, I do believe that the team will be improved from the additions. In terms of Minnesota recruits, the Gophers snagged Lamonte Edwards of Woodbury High School (ESPN Top 100 player ranking) who looks to be a big bruising running back, although his more prominent high school position was on defense. The Gophers seem to be preparing to launch a much more athletic approach towards the position of quarterback through the addition of talented Totino-Grace High School quarterback J.D. Pride. Pride’s abilities mirror that of current Gopher back-up quarterback Marquis Gray, who often entered games to spell the less athletic (at least in terms of speed and quickness) starting quarterback, and Minnesota High School product, Adam Weber. The biggest name for the Gophers, in terms of Minnesota recruits, is Jimmy Gjere, a 6’7” 300lb lineman from Irondale High School. Gjere was ranked in the Top 20 by ESPN, and any team that lands a Top 20 player in a lineman position has a good reason to be hopeful.
In addition to the hometown recruits for the Gophers, it was also interesting to see the successful pursuit of national junior college football stars. Names such as Tiree Eure, a 6’7” tight end from Lackawanna College, as well as others from prime national recruiting areas, show that Gopher recruiting has a strong, intelligent approach towards developing the talent on their team.
The Gophers did not land Seantrel Henderson, but through the well-respected recruiting abilities of Head Coach Tim Brewster, and the looming presence of national student-athletic superstars from Minnesota, there should be a brighter day for football, and sports overall, for Twin Cities youth. It should be a magnificent homecoming in front of many Minnesota television sets when Seantrel Henderson and the USC Trojans come to visit TCF Bank stadium on September 18, 2010. We USC fans apologize in advance for the beat down, but with Seantrel Henderson on the line, at least it’ll be with Minnesota Love.
