’Canes center Linder is transferring QB Driskel returns to practice

CORAL GABLES — Miami Hurricanes coach Mark Richt on Monday said center Nick Linder, a former St. Thomas Aquinas standout, would not play this season and will seek to be a graduate transfer.

According to Richt, Linder — who started nine games at center last season before being sidelined with a shoulder injury — is set to graduate “in a couple days.”

“Nick is going to sit out this season. He’s going to go home, I think, and train for one semester and then he’s going to transfer somewhere else,” Richt said. “He’s a graduate transfer … He’s going to graduate, he’s going to work out — from what he told me — and then he’s going to go somewhere else to finish his career.”

When asked about the reason for Linder’s Richt said, “You have to ask him.”

“When guys leave, it just puts pressure on the rest of the team,” Richt continued. “He’s a really good player and he knows what he’s doing and certainly I’m disappointed.”

Linder, who is the younger brother of former Hurricanes lineman and current Jacksonville Jaguars lineman Brandon Linder, sat out spring football while dealing with his nagging shoulder injury.

Tyler Gauthier filled in during continued rehabbing his injury.

Now Gauthier projects as the starting center. Richt said freshman Corey Gaynor will trade reps as the No. 2 center with Hayden Mahoney.

Next game: Bethune-Cookman vs. Miami, 12:30 p.m., ACC Regional Sports Network

Christy Cabrera Chirinos camp transfer, while Linder Sept. 2,

BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic quarterback Jason Driskel returned to practice Monday morning after he did not participate in Saturday’s scrimmage at Liberty City’s Hadley Park.

De’Andre Johnson, though, missed the majority of practice tending to academics, FAU coach Lane Kiffin said. Daniel Parr played second-team quarterback for the third time in four practices. Johnson was at practice for stretch at the beginning of practice and returned during red zone drills at the end of practice.

Driskel and Johnson have been the main candidates to be FAU’s starting quarterback this season, but Parr has tried to turn it into a three-man race under center. Driskel was present on Saturday, but did not play.

“Whenever someone’s down, Driskel wasn’t able to go — he’s fine now as you saw today, but he wasn’t able to go, so the next guy’s got to step up,” Kiffin said.

Driskel commanded the first-team offense Monday and tossed a trio of impressive touchdown throws during team periods. James Brunson hauled in a pass in the back corner of the end zone from 30 yards out. D’Anfernee McGriff one-handed a Driskel pass in the front of the opposite side of the end zone.

Willie Wright made perhaps the play of the day when he leapt to beat safety James Pierre on a deep ball. Wright hauled it in and sped to the end zone.

Driskel and Johnson have been alternating practices with the first-team offense through the first 10 preseason practices, while Parr has received a series with the ones sparingly.

Next game: Navy at FAU, Sept. 1, 8 p.m., ESPNU

Matthew DeFranks