So much wiser, and no regrets.
It could only be considered great news for Al Golden and Miami Hurricane fans everywhere that three prominent University of Miami football players announced on Monday that they would forgo the opportunity to enter the 2013 NFL(U) draft and return for their final seasons at "The U".
Offensive linemen Brandon Linder and Seantrel Henderson and defensive tackle Curtis Porter all announced that the would be back in a Hurricane uniform for the 2013 season at a press conference specifically held at UM to announce their decision.
UM Head coach Al Golden had this to say about each of the three players:
Golden on Henderson..."I'm really proud of Seantrel. He exhibited patience and self-restraint and approached this business decision with transparency and maturity. Instant gratification and leaving would have been easy for Seantrel; instead, he's accepted the challenge to become the best person and player he can be. Coach Art Kehoe, (Head Strength) Coach Andrew Swasey, Coach Jedd Fisch and I are anxious to assist him and his family achieve all of their goals and develop him into the type of player we all know he can be."
Golden on Linder..."We're blessed to have Brandon returning to our football team. He has clearly grown over the last year and has been a beacon of consistency for our student-athletes during an extraordinarily turbulent time. He's not only the most experienced Miami Hurricane having started 29 games in his career, possessing at 24 consecutive games started streak, but he is a tremendous student and one of our finest leaders. You can see in his demeanor that he has
unfinished business on his mind and is excited about returning to Coral Gables for the 2013 season. Brandon will be considered among the best at his position in the ACC, if not the country."
Golden on Porter..."We're excited to have the opportunity to work with Curtis for an entire year. He's had some unfortunate injuries which have encumbered his development over the last couple of years; however, he really came on strong during the last half of the year for us. He exhibited to everyone associated with our program a glimpse of what he can become. Curtis is talented - he's smart, strong, powerful and explosive yet has room for development on and off the field. If he continues to trust his coaches, cultivates his position skills and develops consistency in his daily approach to football, he will undoubtedly develop into the type of player he wants to become."
The decision to return was not considered a surprise to most as it was widely accepted by those in-the-know that if the players made good decisions based on the their current draft status that they would return for their Senior seasons. Apparently each of the players realized that they have the ability and opportunity to improve their draft stock with another year of strength conditioning, player development and technique polishing at Miami.
Yet, some fans still openly asked: "Why hold a presser just to announce that they would return?" It is my opinion that the UM Sports Information office wants to establish consistency in the process for this and coming years. The process and format will look and feel the same regardless whether players decide to stay or leave early. We think that is a very smart idea.
If you only hold a press conference when players are leaving then it becomes pretty obvious about the intent and outcome of the presser don't you think? Also we believe that it is just as important to announce that players are getting good and accurate info on their current draft status and decide to return when it is in their best interests to do so for them individually and their team collectively.
This year's announcements were in stark contrast to last year when several UM players decided to leave early in spite of what appeared to be inaccurate and/or misleading information about their potential draft position based on the alleged promises of an particular local sports agent.
One source indicated to us that a few of the players that left early last year already had at least one foot out the door before they met with UM head coach Al Golden to discuss the issue, gather information from impartial and unbiased NFL draft experts and make a wise decision.
Simply put, that is not very wise. And here is a little fact to prove it: Of the 69 underclassmen that declared early for the NFL draft last year, 25 went un-drafted. But it is not only about the players that go un-drafted it is about those who never reach their maximum draft potential and wind up being selected much lower than some agent in their ear may have projected.
The lower initial signing bonus, less guaranteed money and a shorter term contract is often the result of dropping from a projected first-rounder to a third round pick, or from a third rounder to a sixth round selection. That money is in most cases lost forever and never recouped by the typical NFL player who's average playing career is around 3-5 years.
Which brings us back to the title of our article. It is very refreshing and encouraging to see that many of the players now at UM under Golden's leadership are not only another year older, but much, much wiser as a result of following "The Process".
With that being said, we all want to send our best wishes and a ultra-loud Canespace shout-out of respect to UM student-athletes Brandon Linder, Seantrel Henderson and Curtis Porter for their faith in Al Golden and their commitment to the University of Miami football program.
Another year older, so much wiser, and no regrets.
ESPN reporting Dee Liner might still visit us, and canesport headlines Matthew and Kirkland going together.
So what the hell is the real scoop?
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | January 14, 2013 at 10:28 PM
Very nice article. I am happy all three decided to return and help the team and also their draft status.
Posted by: canesteeler | January 14, 2013 at 10:30 PM
VA Cane what's happening my brother? My son and I will be in attendace when the Pens come south to play the Panthers in April.
Posted by: canesteeler | January 14, 2013 at 10:33 PM
Thanks pbcfrcane13 for posting about our Canes proposal on stadium capacity. One thing is for sure President Shalala needs to make Blake James the permanent AD.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 14, 2013 at 10:52 PM
Hearing that NCAA NOA will arrive on Friday?
Posted by: 86Cane | January 14, 2013 at 10:54 PM
Concerning Dee Liber not visiting:
https://twitter.com/andrewjbone/status/290997824886296576
and with Matthew Thomas...
https://twitter.com/msamycampbell/status/290983209330675712
Those are the most recent links I have for ya. Stark contrast from what was reported with Thomas earlier.
Posted by: kenyon19ypr | January 14, 2013 at 10:55 PM
*Dee Liner of course. But still. Who knows what will actually happen... Got a few days to watch it play out.
Posted by: kenyon19ypr | January 14, 2013 at 10:56 PM
So, who is coming this weekend for visits?
Posted by: HawaiiCane | January 14, 2013 at 11:27 PM
"The announced average attendance for UM’s six home games last season was 54,252 – a number driven up by an excellent crowd for the Florida State game (73,328) and a good turnout for the North Carolina game (58,954)."
I was at both of those games. I'll take the Noles attendance as a fact but LMFAO at 46 shy of 59 grand for UNC. 30,000 at most. Find some crowd pics of that game SOUP and let's get a realistic over/under to run a poll on.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | January 14, 2013 at 11:34 PM
Folks be careful about what you read...Trolls all over...Same on twitter...
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 14, 2013 at 11:35 PM
I was at both of those games. I'll take the Noles attendance as a fact but LMFAO at 46 shy of 59 grand for UNC. 30,000 at most. Find some crowd pics of that game SOUP and let's get a realistic over/under to run a poll on.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | January 14, 2013 at 11:34 PM
TOTALLY AGREE! LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | January 14, 2013 at 11:41 PM
Raize...can u pass a background check? We might need U at The U! LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | January 14, 2013 at 06:47 PM
*************************************************
My attorney asked me not to comment.....LOL
Posted by: raizecane | January 14, 2013 at 11:47 PM
Raize...smart move.
I am currently involved in a scrum with Tim Reynolds on Twitter on when the UM NOA will hit (obviously Friday).
But that too shall pass.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 14, 2013 at 11:56 PM
Sentrel, you proved me wrong. You could have left and been a 5th rounder with 1st round talent. I thought you were "one of those guys." I was wrong. I hope you are an All American next year and a 1st round pick. I'm routing for you, you did the right thing. We have a really good oline coming back next year guys and gals. Real beasts. Who fired Art Kehoe again? This guy has us BACK at oline. And we should be deep there too. We will be able to handle UF's dline. We just have to have Morris become elite and the rest of the crew on Offense become studs. Our d will just need to slow the other team down and get tutnovers.
Posted by: The Dude | January 15, 2013 at 12:11 AM
Its good to see OGV and VACane and Hassan posting again.
Posted by: The Dude | January 15, 2013 at 12:16 AM
That's surprising Canesport got it wrong...
Tim Harris in the interview...
"Miami has things on his priority list so they have to be high on his board - an unofficial (or mid-week visit) wasn't going to give him a chance to see enough," Harris said. "He wanted to give Miami more."
"We switched USC ... he wanted to get Miami in sooner."
Posted by: TLuv | January 15, 2013 at 12:17 AM
Kevin Olsen
Alex Gall
Standish Dobard
Ray Lewis III
Artie Burns
Jamal Carter
Alex Collins
Jaynard Bostwick
That's all I know of...
Posted by: TLuv | January 15, 2013 at 12:19 AM
Of course its always good to see WWiN, SOUP, Ohio Cane, CGNC, raizecane, longtimecanfan, montrealcane, hawaiicane, terrence, canesteeler, Cocane, canerock posting. Now we have these new guys posting too. Welcome Jack and kenyon.
Posted by: The Dude | January 15, 2013 at 12:22 AM
"Miami has things on his priority list so they have to be high on his board - an unofficial (or mid-week visit) wasn't going to give him a chance to see enough," Harris said. "He wanted to give Miami more."
"We switched USC ... he wanted to get Miami in sooner."
Posted by: TLuv | January 15, 2013 at 12:17 AM
Yeah, and I seem to recall Thomas saying that He can visit Miami anytime He wants to. So even if He doesn't take an official, I don't see it as a big deal.
Posted by: CaneRock | January 15, 2013 at 12:25 AM
Yeah, and I seem to recall Thomas saying that He can visit Miami anytime He wants to. So even if He doesn't take an official, I don't see it as a big deal.
Posted by: CaneRock | January 15, 2013 at 12:25 AM
True. This is a big weekend though. I would love to have them.
Posted by: TLuv | January 15, 2013 at 12:49 AM
And when I say scallops I MEAN scallops. We will be planning our seocnd annual:
"CANESPACE SCALLOP ROUNDUP"
This year during scallop season in Florida (July 1 -September 24) for any and all Canespacers to particpate in.
Last year we scooped and scored with NativeCane, OGV, Old Skool and a few other participants and had a blast.
Old Skool is a renowned master chef who can cook with the best of them. He cooks the FRESH harvested scallops the same day they are caught and it is a FEAST!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 15, 2013 at 01:16 AM
Saw the scrum, 86, patience, my friend, patience.
Now this is said firmly in cheeck: No love for me, Dude? :)
Seriously, you're right, good to see all the old posters, all the new ones back, time to enjoy the Space more frequently for me now that work has slowed down.
Sad to see that the Canes bball team didn't reach the top 25. As stragne as it sounds, short of beating Duke, I'm not sure hte ACC will give us enough opportunities to impress the voters if what we've done thus far isn't enough.
Posted by: j.w. | January 15, 2013 at 01:22 AM
Timmy is WRONG. U just watch...
Posted by: 86Cane | January 15, 2013 at 01:22 AM
I'll be on around 9 am with the REAL recruiting scoop...
Don't pay attention to trolls or crap sites
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 15, 2013 at 02:40 AM
Sure hope it happens Friday. Anything to get this ball rolling finally.
I saw the playful banter with Tim Reynolds. Just wondering, but does that guy ever post anything worthwhile? His Q&A sessions have become real boring and useless. Thinking about unfollowing him because all he does is clutter up the Twitter feed.
On a more positive note, the women's tennis had a great start to the season, sweeping both Florida Atlantic and #24 Illinois! The men are up next against Florida and Bethune Cookman, a rare double-header on Saturday!
Posted by: KiriJax | January 15, 2013 at 05:31 AM
Good article Soup
Posted by: Old Skool | January 15, 2013 at 06:25 AM
I'll be on around 9 am with the REAL recruiting scoop...
Don't pay attention to trolls or crap sites
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 15, 2013 at 02:40 AM
Where will this take place at so I can be there? Here?
Posted by: DeployedDiehardCane | January 15, 2013 at 06:30 AM
Stephen Morris has a great chance of being the first Canes QB drafted since 2003:
MH: Based on how he closed last season (11 touchdowns, no interceptions in the final four games), UM believes Stephen Morris should be among the nation’s best as a senior. “He’s been spectacular,” Golden said. “We had maybe the hottest quarterback in the country the [final] four games. He has grown into a man. His leadership is extraordinary.”
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/#storylink=cpy
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 15, 2013 at 06:49 AM
Morning thoughts:
Nick Saban showed the money.
Morris getting drafted? Why not? Guy has a gun, can move, and his accuracy continually improves.
As for getting it right, try again with those percentages...
Howard, McCord, Bush, AQM, etc. were all picked by the Space LONG in advance before anyone else, anywhere.
Posted by: LB | January 15, 2013 at 08:17 AM
LB...I agree with you man..Morris will be an elite QB next season..just a few tweaks needed and Im sure Fisch is working on it. With all those WR and a guy named Duke..he will be tops in ACC and a first day pick..imo. I know for sure I picked Sandland and AQM in advance, although I was wrong on Williams lol..but hey, he was a Miami lean forever, and said multiple times Miami was is leader. Although I will venture to say it isnt over, if Golden gets him to visit and with Standish...we COULD flip him.
Posted by: UMike | January 15, 2013 at 08:37 AM
Sports Business Journal is reporting the ACC exploring creation of ACC network.
If that happens here's why I see losing schools like Maryland and getting a Louisville was a net loss for the conference.
While big events are good for one-off, single buy advertising, year round networks are also gonna depend on advertising contracts which takes into account extended viewership over a quarter or year.
Football is going to drive the greatest revenues, but the network is also going to need to rely on all the other sports (both men and women) to draw viewers.
If I need eyeballs watching a sport with a very small following like women’s softball, I’ll gladly put my money on broadcasting to media markets the size of Maryland’s over Louisville’s any day.
Posted by: Old Skool | January 15, 2013 at 08:40 AM
LOVING the changes that are being made. Closer seats and large scoreboard/screens in each corner which I think will also help the empty look up top..kitches/food area..apparently in 1992 seats were moved back to accomadate the marlins
Posted by: UMike | January 15, 2013 at 08:41 AM
An ACC network? Meh. I really don't want to have to watch Maryland vs. Duke week 5.
I don't think it's over with Williams, either. But it's ALMOST impossible to compete with SEC money.
You think Hurtt is getting nervous? :P
Posted by: LB | January 15, 2013 at 08:43 AM
You think Hurtt is getting nervous? :P
Posted by: LB | January 15, 2013 at 08:43 AM
And maybe Haith and Stoutland etc
Posted by: UMike | January 15, 2013 at 08:50 AM
OGV you are spot on with the attendance man.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 15, 2013 at 08:54 AM
Always have love for j.w.
So many dang good posts.
Posted by: The Dude | January 15, 2013 at 09:08 AM
I'd say you're right about the attendance too OGV.
It would probably be a logistical nightmare not to mention against some NCAA rule, but I'm surprised UM doesn't offer free or very discounted tickets to local high school, junior high or PAL football teams for games which aren't going to sell out. Fill the stadium and help develop a loyal fan base for the long term as well as keep the U front and center for future recruits.
If we're not going to sell out, at least find a way to turn it to our advantage.
Posted by: Old Skool | January 15, 2013 at 09:16 AM
Recruiting update:
Matthew Thomas - I'm still working to find out if it's true he's going to USC or UM this weekend. Pete Ariz is saying UM, others saying USC.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 15, 2013 at 09:16 AM
Where will this take place at so I can be there? Here?
Posted by: DeployedDiehardCane | January 15, 2013 at 06:30 AM
------------------------------------------
It's always here. ;-)
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 15, 2013 at 09:20 AM
The Dude, why were you impressed that Sentrel came back? You know SMD was going to do everything short of $EC money to keep him here!
Posted by: HawaiiCane | January 15, 2013 at 09:53 AM
Doesn't matter where MT6 is going this weekend. He is U all the way. He will be playing for Al Golden and the Miami Hurricanes next year.
Posted by: The Dude | January 15, 2013 at 09:55 AM
he is going to.usc this weekend.
Posted by: laquinton | January 15, 2013 at 09:55 AM
HawaiiCane,
And I am so happy for her. What would she do with all the posters in her bedroom if he left?
Posted by: The Dude | January 15, 2013 at 09:58 AM
Doesn't matter where MT6 is going this weekend. He is U all the way. He will be playing for Al Golden and the Miami Hurricanes next year.
Posted by: The Dude | January 15, 2013 at 09:55 AM
------------------------------------------
This.
Confirmed 6 is going to USC. He's already been to UM, and will make a mid-week trip there too since it's close.
U know how people take free vacations to Miami? He is to LA.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 15, 2013 at 10:09 AM
Even the "professionals" are guessing lol..we ALL gues, based off any information and/or clues we find. Noone knows but these kids and maybe their family.
Posted by: UMike | January 15, 2013 at 10:55 AM
@PaulMyerberg: 73 players w/ eligibility remaining have declared. 32 from SEC (44%). 11 from LSU alone, counting Mathieu (15%).
Posted by: 86Cane | January 15, 2013 at 11:01 AM
I just dont get the need for people to troll here..if you dont like this blog or its bloggers, why come here? I guess I can get some pleasure knowing this blog made at least one person take time from their lives that they will never get back..and thought of us hahahaah
Posted by: UMike | January 15, 2013 at 11:06 AM
DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKE!
http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/51263/accs-2013-heisman-hopefuls
Posted by: 86Cane | January 15, 2013 at 11:06 AM
UMike...it absolutely cracks me up about the trolls! They just get deleted right away anyway so why bother? LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | January 15, 2013 at 11:10 AM
86 stop hurting people feelings on twitter before they cybernetically do something to u, lol. Losers.
Posted by: DeployedDiehardCane | January 15, 2013 at 11:11 AM