’Canes center Linder is transferring

CORAL GABLES — Miami Hurricanes coach

on Monday said center 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 transfer, 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

sat out spring football while dealing with his nagging shoulder injury.

filled in during camp while Linder continued rehabbing his injury.

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

Richt Brandon Linder, Tyler Gauthier Nick Linder, Corey Gaynor Hayden Mahoney. Next game: Mark

Bethune-Cookman vs. Miami, Sept. 2, 12:30 p.m., ACC Regional Sports Network