Senior Center Nick Linder Leaving Program

Senior center Nick Linder, who’s brother Brandon also played for the Miami Hurricanes, will not play at The U in 2017. Linder’s plan is to graduate and play next season as a graduate transfer somewhere else. Linder has started twenty-six games for the ‘Canes over three seasons but has been injured with shoulder issues in ‘16 and ‘17. After a season ending shoulder injury last season, Alex Gall took over at center and played remarkably better than Linder, and Gauthier played guard and all but cemented a starting role this spring.

Linder, the 6-3 298 pounder from St. Thomas Aquinas in Ft. Lauderdale, has seen himself beaten out by Tyler Gauthier and freshman Corey Gaynor. Gauthier is a 6-5 300lbs junior from Venice, Florida. Coach Searles has been high on Gauthier and Gaynor. Corey Gaynor was an early enrollee from Pompano Beach that signed with Miami after putting up a ridiculous highlight tape on Hudl full of pancake blocks and vicious hits.

What does this mean for the starting O-Line? Not much of a change as Linder was 3rd on the depth. However, it does hurt the depth chart as you like to enter a season with 10 viable offensive lineman even if the rotation is to play 7-8. With Linder gone, expect to see Gaynor repping both guard and center in camp.