Miami offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson is still a member of Miami's football team.
Henderson was suspended for the first week of spring football and in June rumors started swirling that he had been dismissed from the team because of the violation that led to the initially suspension. Those rumors intensified after Ray Ray Armstrong, who was suspended with Henderson, was dismissed and Miami officials refused to comment on Henderson's status.
But on Monday, after missing Miami's first three practices while attending a childhood friend's funeral in Minnesota, Henderson showed up to camp and looked like he had never been missing.
"It's good to have him back," coach Al Golden said. "We'll see where he's at going through the acclamation process and we'll go from there."
Since it was Henderson's first practice of the year, he was only allowed to participate in shorts, a jersey and a helmet, but the junior spent the morning doing drills and giving younger players pointers. Still, his attendance was a surprise, even to his teammates. Until he showed up in the locker room Monday, no one was sure about his status. Quarterback Ryan Williams said Henderson addressed the team about his situation prior to practice.
"He just told everyone his situation, where he's been and what happened," Williams told the Sun Sentinel before practice. "I'm glad just to see he's OK because no one really heard from him. I don't know what he's going to do or if he's going to practice today, but I'm just glad to see him back."
Henderson is an important piece to the Miami offensive line. He started just two games last year while recovering from offseason back surgery, but now the 6-foot-8 right tackle is a svelte 340 pounds and expected to be one of the leaders up front.
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