PrepStar Dream Team All-American Seantrel Henderson, the nation's number one recruit, has confounded Ohio State, Florida and Minnesota, among others, and committed to Southern Cal. Henderson, who has the potential to become one of the greatest linemen of the decade, not only measures up at 6-8 and 338 pounds, but is exceptionally athletic, starring in football, basketball and track. Besides excelling in the weight events, expected of most big men, this huge athlete runs the 1500 meters!

In the past few weeks, Ohio State sources felt that the Buckeyes were going to land him. Normally reliable Columbus sources said that the Bucks had him as late as Wenesday morning. Sorry, wrong.

Florida made a push and had, at one point, the land. Another sorry.

The "hardest loser" appears to be five minutes from Henderson's home and high school, Cretin-Derham Hall, Minnesota. The Gopher effort has been impressive. Brewster, literally, pulled every stop to land him. The last minute visit, strong support from local fans and media, and a solid, professional, recruiting staff and Gopher players were not able to pull it off.

Many reasons for the decision have been advanced by the media and local fans, but two points should be considered. First, Lane Kiffin is particuarly impressive. A new voice in the recruiting process, particularly one as extended and as brutal as Henderson's, can be refreshing for a high school player. Add a few days in the relaxed atmosphere in Southern California that would make a huge contrast to frigid Minnesota. All the potential negatives about USC and the area would be forgotten. Second, all but a few Cretin-Derham Hall standouts over the past few years have succumbed to the blandishments of warmer climes. Florida powers have, for example, landed two Heismann candidates from the area. In fact, to our best recollection, none of the super players from Cretin-Derham Hall or any other high school in the area, has ever played for the Gophers.

Just a thought, but the intense, high-octane, media atmosphere may have worked against the Gophers on this one. In any case Lane Kiffin turned out to be the winner, while Brewster and the rest of the wannabes are left out in one of Minnesota's infamour snow banks.

One Gopher summed it all up in the famous short Chicago Cub fan-like phrase "Wait 'til next year."