What The Nation's No. 1 Recruit Would Mean To Gophers Football

While many Gophers fans tuned into Saturday's U.S. Army All-American game to get a glimpse at Gopher recruit Jimmy Gjere, a four-star offensive tackle, most fans were tuning in to get a look at the nation's No. 1 overall recruit, Seantrel Henderson.

Henderson has starred for the storied Cretin-Derham Hall football program since he was a sophomore. His combination of size, power, and skill has had college programs clamoring to earn the young man's services for years, and NFL scouts are most certainly already aware of Henderson's attributes.

Henderson holds scholarship offers from nearly every major college program in the country. Notre Dame, USC, Michigan, Oklahoma—the list goes on and on. With all those options, why would Henderson even consider playing for his hometown squad?

The answer is simple. While fame and fortune are in the cards for Henderson wherever he goes, only one program affords him the opportunity to attain legendary status: the University of Minnesota.

In Minnesota, we're very provincial. We love anyone who's "one of us". Sure, you can migrate here and garner some success for yourself and we'll adopt you, but deep down, we'll always know that you see greener pastures outside our borders.

Case in point: Mr. Joe Mauer. Mauer shares a common bond with Henderson in that they are both products of St. Paul's Cretin High School. While the local media pined for the Twins to select Mark Prior with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 MLB amateur draft, the Twins selected the local boy instead.

At first glance, the Twins made a mistake. Mauer started in the minors, while Prior was starting for the Cubs by May of 2002.  In 2003, Prior and the Cubs were a game away from returning to the World Series (no, it wasn't Bartman's fault) while Mauer was still in the minors. It sure looked the the Twins front office had erred.

Mauer made his major league debut the following season. Injuries ended his rookie year after about a month. It didn't look good. 

In 2006 Joe Mauer officially arrived. He won his first batting title. He made the All-Star game. It just got better from there. Today, Joe Mauer is the reigning MVP, and a three-time batting champ. Mark Prior is out of baseball.

It wasn't Joe Mauer's choice to stay in Minnesota, but it definitely has been to his benefit. Right now, he's King in this town. Mauer's buddy Justin Morneau also has an MVP award on his mantel, but he can't quite catch up in popularity to the hometown hero. 

As long as Mauer stays a Twin, this will be his town. That's the way it is around here.

Which brings us back to Seantrel Henderson. Being an offensive lineman will never be a glamour position. Everyone loves the quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs. You'll even see the occasional defensive back featured in the highlights, but never the offensive lineman.  

It takes a special, special lineman to have the media spotlight shine brightly upon him. Tony Mandarich and his eating habits made him famous in the late '80s. Orlando Pace and his "pancake" blocks dominated ESPN in the 90s. There's been a void, and it's time for a new star to shine.

That star is Seantrel Henderson. He can be a star at USC. He can be a star at Notre Dame. He can be a star in Montana. But he can only become a legend by staying at home.

The Gopher football program has been stagnant for years. Imagine the accolades that would come for someone who finally helped make this team a championship contender again.  

Kirby Puckett has a street named after him, and he's from Chicago. They might change the name of the state if Henderson helps the Gophers back to the Rose Bowl.

It takes more than one player to elevate a team, but everyone knows that it all starts up front. A good line makes a quarterback better. It makes a running back better.

If Barry Sanders ran behind the Cowboys line of the '90s, it would be his name atop the career rushing leaders, not Emmitt Smith.

If you'd have asked me 12 months ago where Henderson would have ended up, I'd have said USC. 12 weeks ago, same answer. 12 hours ago, I changed my mind. USC's coach is leaving for the NFL. Henderson stated that decision will impact his decision.

Do I think he'll end up at Minnesota? Probably not. If I was the type of guy who made wagers, I'd bet Henderson ends up either at Ohio State or Notre Dame. He's said that basketball is his first love on several occasions, and maybe Tubby Smith finds a spot for him.

If Seantrel has ever taken the drive down to Mankato to watch the Vikings training camp, maybe he veered off 169 and headed down Highway 19. There you'll find a sign that says "Henderson, Minnesota". Those two sound awfully good together if you ask me. 

Something to think about, Seantrel. 

(Photo courtesy of rivals.com)