Seantrel Henderson, a prized offensive lineman considered by most analysts to be the nation’s top high school football recruit, and his father, Sean, said on Friday afternoon that he would attend the University of Miami in the fall.
Julia Robinson for The New York Times
Henderson had been recruited by just about every major college football program in the country.
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Henderson’s announcement came just three days after Southern California released him from his letter of intent and is a recruiting coup for Miami Coach Randy Shannon.
Henderson is a 6-foot-8, 340-pound left tackle from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn. and had been recruited by just about every major college football program in the country. Immediately, he becomes the prize of a Hurricanes recruiting class that had already been ranked No. 14 by Scout.com and No. 16 by Rivals.com.
His decision is the culmination of an unusual recruiting process.
In February, after announcing his decision to attend U.S.C., Henderson postponed signing his letter of intent until U.S.C. officials had appeared before an N.C.A.A. infractions committee.
Henderson said that he signed the letter only after Lane Kiffin, the first-year U.S.C. coach, had assured him and his family not to be worried about possible penalties from the investigation, which centered on improper benefits given to the star tailback Reggie Bush. But last month, the Trojans were hit with a two-year bowl ban, four years’ probation and loss of scholarships.
After the sanctions were announced, Henderson didn’t report to U.S.C. and was instead given his release from the Trojans.
He will arrive at Miami on Aug. 3 and is already academically eligible for the upcoming season, Sean Henderson said.