With signing day so close, it's time for the weekly (every Wednesday) top 10 list. This time out: the most intriguing player chases.
1. Seantrel Henderson, OT:
In the mix: Florida Gators, Minnesota Golden Gophers, USC Trojans, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Miami Hurricanes, Ohio State Buckeyes
The nation's No. 8 prospect -- and top O-lineman according to ESPN -- plays for a tradition-rich prep program in Minnesota that has been a pipeline to Notre Dame in recent years (WR Michael Floyd was ND's biggest catch from Cretin-Derham Hall), and initially many expected the agile 6-foot-8, 320-pound Henderson to head to South Bend.
But things have been chaotic with Henderson for months and have been especially wild since two of the schools that figured to be among his top options, Notre Dame and USC, have undergone coaching transitions. And, somewhere in the mix of all this turnover was Urban Meyer's uncertain month and subsequent leave of absence. Home state Minnesota also has had some staff shake up on offense, although his coach told the Star-Tribune that "the U's back in it." (Henderson is actually taking his final official visit to "The U" down South this weekend.)
"We haven't seen anything like this and we've had some big-time players come out of this school," Cretin-Derham coach Mike Scanlan told Shandel Richardson here, also pointing out that Cretin-Derham is home to pro stars such as Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins), Heisman Trophy quarterback Chris Weinke and tackle Ryan Harris (Denver Broncos). None garnered as much recruiting attention as Henderson, who is generally regarded as the nation's top prospect.
Richardson makes the point that Miami could have at least one built-in advantage when the big OT comes to South Florida. "Henderson is expected to attend Sunday's Pro Bowl, (which) will be filled with several former UM players. In fact, a record 10 Hurricanes were selected to play."
My hunch is that with so much uncertainty, you'd think it would help Ohio State's chances to land Henderson since things in Columbus appear rock steady with Jim Tressel. But don't count out the Irish or the Trojans. Henderson met with ND's O-line coach Tuesday and is expected to get visits from new USC coach Lane Kiffin and Tressel later this week. Henderson also will meet with UM coach Randy Shannon in Minnesota when he visits the Cretin-Derham Hall campus Thursday.
My guess: Ohio State.