Maybe Seantrel Henderson was being mischievous. Or maybe he was being misleading. Or maybe he was more indecisive than he'll admit.
But there were several intriguing twists and turns Wednesday before the highly recruited Cretin-Derham Hall offensive lineman finally announced in the afternoon that he had chosen Southern California over Miami, Ohio State, Minnesota, Notre Dame and Florida.
As reported in Wednesday's Pioneer Press, USC had moved into the front-runner spot in the Henderson derby, ahead of Ohio State, which many observers figured would be the end choice of the 6-foot-8, 330-pounder.
But Wednesday morning, word leaked that Henderson, who was in New York, confided to a little birdie in St. Paul that he would announce that Miami, which he had visited last weekend and had emerged as a dark-horse contender, would be his choice.
Shortly thereafter, at University of Minnesota offices, athletic department officials wanted to know who knew what. One football official was viewing a TV report that showed satellite trucks setting up outside USC offices because of an apparent tip that Henderson soon would announce for the Trojans.
A few moments later, another Gophers employee said it was being reported that Henderson would announce for Notre Dame.
About 15 minutes later, Gophers coach Tim Brewster proceeded with a news gathering to discuss his incoming recruiting class. As hard as he tried to be the same energetic guy he always is, there was a discernible pall over Brewster, who had put so much effort into the Henderson recruitment.
Henderson still has to become academically eligible. USC has to survive a Feb. 21 NCAA infractions committee hearing. USC wasn't the safest choice Henderson could make. Whether it was the right one still is to be determined.
DON'T PRINT THAT
If the Twins are to re-sign all-star catcher Joe Mauer, it will be for about $25 million a season.
Royce White, the ex-Gophers basketball player who on Wednesday dropped out of school, could end up trying the music business with former Timberwolves guard Troy Hudson, who has tried to make it as a rapper.
Although the Vikings gave permission to quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers to interview for the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator position that went to Mike Martz, the Green Bay Packers denied permission for QBs coach Tom Clements to interview for the Bears job.
Former Gophers star Thomas Vanek of the Buffalo Sabres, because of a perceived disappearing act at critical junctures of games, is being called Thomas "Vanish" by many Sabres fans, the Fischer Report points out.
OVERHEARD
Gophers football coach Tim Brewster, on 6-foot-2, 215-pound Woodbury tailback Lamonte Edwards, who committed to Minnesota: "If he were from Texas or Florida, he probably would have had 100 (scholarship) offers instead of 10 or 15."
