It's true. The big guy -- 6-8, 345-pound Hurricanes left tackle Seantrel Henderson -- will soon undergo back surgery.
I just got off the phone with someone close to the football program who confirmed the news, as first reported by InsidetheU.com, and said the surgery would be "intense," as I imagine most back surgery would be.
Seantrel could miss the whole season, I'm told.
Either way, your left tackle will be 6-7, 320-pound Malcolm Bunche, who won the job legitimately during the spring.
Malcolm is a beast, from what I'm told, very talented and hard-working -- so at least that's good news. However, he is a redshirt freshman and hasn't played in college yet.
Expect the line to be shuffled around, with right guard Brandon Washington likely shifting to right tackle and Brandon Linder likely taking over the guard spot. Jermaine Johnson and Ben Jones are two other tackles.
UM coach Al Golden told me last week that Bunche earned the first-team spot at left tackle on his own during the spring, and that it had nothing to do with Seantrel's lower-back injury.
Seantrel started nine games last season at right tackle and was the No. 1 recruit in the nation coming into college.
My prayers go out to him for a safe and speedy recovery. The surgery will reportedly be Aug. 8.
SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN
