Chris Monter’s Gophers Football Recruiting Nuggets & Tid-Bits

Everett Williams, a 6-foot-2, 222-pound outside linebacker from Mansfield (TX) Legacy, is visiting Minnesota this weekend for this weekend’s game versus San Jose State.

Here is the link to a Gopher Hole story on Williams.

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/276460?referrer_id=388419

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The Gophers are planning a big recruiting weekend for their homecoming game against Iowa. Wichita running back Deron Thompson, Trevon Walters, a 5-foot-10, 186-pound running back from Bradenton (FL) Manatee, Lamont Simmons, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound cornerback from Jacksonville (FL) Raines, Mobile defensive tackle Gary Moore and Winter Haven wide receiver Kendrick Holland are expected to take their official visit that weekend.

Here is the link to a Gopher Hole story on Simmons.

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/278029?referrer_id=394965

Here is a link to a Gopher Hole story on Walters

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/286883?referrer_id=388419

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One-time Gopher recruiting target Austin Roberts of Rice Lake (WI) High, suffered a torn ACL last week in a 28-21 loss to Hudson. Roberts attended one of the Gopher football camps in June, but committed to Illinois three days later after failing to pick up a scholarship offer from Minnesota.

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Four players, who once drew attention from Minnesota out of high school, have found their way back to their home state. However, they are playing instead at Division II UMD.

Long snapper and tight end Taylor Grant, the younger brother of former Gopher Ryan, transferred after spending the past three seasons at North Dakota. The ex-Eden Prairie standout is the son of Eagle head coach Mike Grant and grandson of former Gopher and legendary Minnesota Viking head coach Bud Grant.

2010 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year Eric Kline transferred from South Dakota State, where he started the season opener last year versus Kansas. The former Blaine quarterback was the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year.

2011 Minnesota Mr. Football finalist Jonathan Harden transferred from Western Michigan. The defensive tackle was a standout at Cretin Derham Hall. Unfortunately, his lack of height hurt his chances of playing at the Big Ten level.   

Blast from the past Jalon Hopkins is with the Bulldogs this season. He helped lead Minnetonka to the Minnesota State Class 5A title as a junior as he finished with 224 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns in the title game, including 84-and 72-yard touchdown scores in a 23-14 win over Wayzata. Hopkins finished the 2004 season with 299 carries for 2,018 yards and 28 touchdowns. He had interest from the Gophers, but had some academic issue and has not played intercollegiate football since graduating in 2006. Hopkins played for the Superior Stampede in 2010 and the Lake Superior Rage (Northern Elite Football League) the following two years.

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The six Minnesota commits continue to shine as they have led their teams to a combined 16-2 this season.

Andrew Stelter, a defensive end from Owatonna (MN) High, has helped lead the Huskies to a 3-0 record this year. Owatonna finished 12-1 last year, losing in the 5A Prep Bowl title game to Totino-Grace 49-21. Owatonna play at home versus 1-2 Rochester Mayo Friday.

Defensive tackle Steven Richardson helped lead Mt. Carmel to the Illinois High School Association 8A state champions last year. They are 3-0 and have outscored their opponents 131-8. They are ranked #1 by the Chicago Tribune and face 1-2 Brother Rice at home Friday.

Jeff Jones will lead the Minneapolis Washburn Millers against St. Paul Central Saturday afternoon. He has rushed 51 times for 513 yards and eleven touchdowns and has caught six passes for 176 yards and four more scores. Jones has three kickoff returns for 122 yards and one touchdown. The Millers are 3-0.

Wyandotte’s athletic quarterback Dimonic McKinzy completed 11 of 21 passes for 287 yard and three score in their 48-6 win over Hanson. He has three rushing touchdowns and four passing scores in their 49-48 season-opening loss to Independence Van Horn. McKinzy was 14 of 35 for 244 yards and rushed 13 times for 161 yards. The Bulldogs (1-1) face Sumner Academy at home Friday.

Connor Mayes, the younger brother of freshman Alex Mayes, lead Van Alstyne to a 35-14 win over Anna. The Panthers (2-1) face Lone Star Friday.

Galen Elmore has lead the Spartans to a 4-0 start after a 23-0 win over Amery. The Spartans have outscored their opponents 116-15 this season. They face Ellsworth Friday.

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Minnesota, despite landing six quality commitments, ranks last in verbals in the Big Ten as the other 11 have gotten off to a great start on the recruiting trails. The 11 teams have a combined 140 commitments. Northwestern, which normally wait until later in the year for its commitments due to its high academic standards, is tied for the fourth most in the conference with 13 along with Iowa.

 

Ohio State leads the way with 18 commitments with rival Michigan and Michigan State adding 15 each. Penn State, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Illinois has 12 verbals each. Indiana has 10 and Purdue has eight.

 

Future Big Ten teams are doing their best to “Keep up with the Jones” as Rutgers has an amazing 23 commitment to date and Maryland has 11.

 

Eleven players from Scout’s Top 100 have committed to Big Ten schools. Ohio State has seven commits among the top 100, the most of any school. Michigan has three and Minnesota has the other top 100 commit in Jeff Jones.

 

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Ohio State’s recruiting class is ranked fourth in the country by Scout. Michigan is 11^th and Michigan State is 25^th. Rutgers is ranked 21^st.

 

Ohio State’s recruiting class is ranked third in the country by Rivals. Michigan is 15^th and Michigan State is 29^th. Rutgers is ranked 18^th.

 

ESPN has Michigan’s class as the top in the big Ten as they are ranked sixth. Ohio State is ranked 9^th in the country, moving up two spots. Penn State is third in the Big Ten, according to ESPN and is 24^th. Rutgers is ranked 19^th.