Jan. 5, 2021: Vanderbilt transfer defensive lineman Lorenza Surgers committed to the University of Minnesota, Tuesday, becoming the third player to join the Gophers from the transfer portal this offseason.
–> Follow @Tony Liebert on Twitter
I am blessed and excited to announce my commitment to the THE University of Minnesota 🙏🏾 #SkiUMah #rowtheboat @Coach_Fleck @ChadWilt @iCoachNash @GopherSports pic.twitter.com/VxOFSLsXxB
— Lorenza Surgers (@LSurgers) January 4, 2022
Who is Lorenza Surgers?:
- Scouting Report
At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, Surgers is the ideal size for a traditional defensive end. He might not have the production that jumps off the table, but he competed against the best competition in college football in the SEC conference. People love to hate on the SEC, but there is no arguing that they have the most NFL talent every season. In his 16 games played, Surgers flashed the potential to be a serious contributor on a team’s defensive line. Chad Wilt has shown to be a terrific developer of talent in his time with the Gophers, and there is no reason why he cannot do the same with Surgers.
Highlights:
… To be continued 🥷🏾 pic.twitter.com/d6tqCUbJSi
— Lorenza Surgers (@LSurgers) November 29, 2021
Instant Reaction:
After losing both MJ Anderson and Rashad Cheney Jr. to the transfer portal late last season, the Gophers had a need to add more talent to the defensive line. Micah Dew-Treadway, Boye Mafe, Esezi Otomewo, Nyles Pinckney and Val Martin are all likely gone from the program, so there was a lot of production for Minnesota to replace up front.
Lorenza Surgers is not the talent that Pinckey was last season, but he is much closer to someone of Martin’s ability. As of now, I presume that he would be third in Minnesota’s rotation at defensive end. You can never have enough guys up front, and there is always the chance for Surgers to develop into more. These were the type of guys that the Gophers needed to add at the position heading into the offseason, and these are the type of players that give you depth. Lorezna Surgers is a high-character player, and he is the type of player that good football teams are made up of.
What is next?:
Looking at the defensive line next season, the Gophers continue to add depth, and look to have plenty talent for a group that seemed to be in a rebuilding stage. A lot of these players are versatile and can play on the outside and the interior. Specifically, I would assume that Minnesota would like to add one more interior defensive lineman in the transfer portal, in an ideal situation.
Defensive ends:
1. (RS-SR) Thomas Rush
2. (RS-SO) Jah Joyner
3. (RS-JR) Lorenza Surgers
4. (RS-SO) Jalen Logan-Redding
5. (RS-FR) Austin Booker
6. (RS-SO) Gage Keys
7. (FR) Anthony Smith
Defensive Tackles:
1. (RS-JR) Trill Carter
2. (RS-JR) Logan Richter
3. (RS-FR) Jacob Schuster
4. (RS-FR) Deven Eastern