By: Daniel House- Follow on Twitter: @DanielHouseNFL
Over the last few seasons, the Gophers have become an NFL pipeline for defensive backs. With Eric Murray, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Jalen Myrick, and Damarius Travis all pursuing professional careers, Minnesota is widely considered one of best defensive back schools in the Big Ten. Defensive backs coach Jay Sawvel left the Gophers’ secondary in a great position to be successful.
With Jalen Myrick and Damarius Travis leaving for the NFL, the Gophers will be relying on youth and inexperience within the defensive back corps. At cornerback, junior Antonio Shenault and redshirt freshman Kiondre Thomas will be asked to step up in a major way. They’ll need to grow from the instruction and limited experience they received last year. The Gophers have talent at the safety position, but may see growing pains at cornerback until the young recruits develop.
Nonetheless, new defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist is a strong recruiter and has added talent that fits his philosophy as a coach. He likes small, speedy, fundamentally sound defensive backs that can make plays on the ball. It may take time to cultivate this vision, but Linguist is solid at finding and developing talent.
Until then, the coaches will shuffle the unique talent they have as they develop an à la carte secondary. I expect to see several players in hybrid roles to fully utilize their skill-sets within the defense. Developing special packages or roles to garner the athleticism and talent of specific players will keep opposing offensive units on their toes this season.
Projected Lineup: Antonio Shenault- CB, Kiondre Thomas- CB, Antoine Winfield Jr.- nickel CB, Duke McGhee- safety, Jacob Huff- safety
*Note: I believe Winfield Jr. will rotate between nickel cornerback and safety, depending upon the defensive sets the Gophers are playing throughout the game.*
Additions: Adam Beck, Tommy Fuller, Ken Handy-Holly, Justus Harris, Jon Santaga, Alex Strazzanti, Jack Leius
Subtractions: Dior Johnson, KiAnte Hardin, Ray Buford (left the program), Joey Gorgen, Troy Dipre, Eric Amoako, Alexander Starks
In-Depth Analysis:
Duke McGhee- Redshirt Senior- S
Duke McGhee is the enforcer every team needs in the backend of their secondary. He isn’t afraid to stick his nose into plays and will deliver a debilitating hit when he’s placed in the box. I fully expect the coaches will get him up around the line of scrimmage in certain packages this year. McGhee started seven games and finished fourth in team tackles (54). He isn’t afraid to lay a big lick across the middle when receivers are running crossers. As a tackler, he must become more disciplined and fundamentally sound.
He picked up multiple targeting penalties last year and playing smart will be a key in this new culture. In coverage, McGhee has very fluid hips and plays physical to get himself in position. He has a blend of speed and physicality that can be unleashed in a variety of ways. McGhee can be sent via safety blitzes because of his unique skill-set. Last year, he was one of the most reliable tacklers and playmakers in the secondary. He really emerged after snatching more reps later in the season. He’ll start at safety, but will be shuffled all over the field to garner his complete skill-set.
Adekunle Ayinde- Redshirt Senior- CB/S
Adekunle Ayinde has been working at nickel cornerback, but has position flexibility in the defensive backfield. His ball-skills and frame allow him to match up better with slot receivers. This versatility will help the Gophers as they consistently shuffle their mix of players on the defensive side of the ball.
Ayinde has shown an ability to make plays on the ball. He swivels his hips and shadows the target, getting his hands in the passing lanes. He notched four pass breakups last year and hauled in a key interception in the bowl game vs. Washington State. Sometimes he plays too aggressive, which gets him into trouble. Teams had a tendency to throw the ball to his side of the field and tested him. As a player, he struggled with consistency, but showed flashes as his playing time became more limited throughout the year. Where Kunle struggled the most was against the run. He had a tendency to take a poor angle on running plays and it forced him too far up the field. I expect Kunle will rotate into the defensive backfield as the coaches shuffle personnel on a frequent basis.
Antonio Shenault- Junior- CB
I’m expecting a big year from junior Antonio Shenault as he settles into a more concrete role. He started five games last year, recording 32 tackles and two pass breakups. During spring practice, it was easy to see the growth Shenault has made as a player over the last six months. His footwork is becoming more refined and he’s positioned to make plays on the ball because of it. He is opening his hips and shadowing receivers to the sideline, leaving them with limited room to gain separation.
He is playing more physical and it’s allowing him to win more battles. Shenault is quicker than he is given credit for, which allows him to have a nice blend of speed and physicality. More importantly, he has shown an ability to make tackles in space on a consistent basis. If he can continue to develop his ball skills, he will have a big season. With no distractions off-the-field this year, Shenault can focus on improving his game under the instruction of defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist.
Antoine Winfield Jr.- Sophomore- CB/S
Antoine Winfield Jr. is one of the best defensive players in the Big Ten and his full potential hasn’t even been realized yet. In nickel sets, Winfield Jr. will likely kick inside, but in the base defense, he can camp out at safety. There isn’t a player with a more unique skill-set on this defense. Winfield can tackle in run support, cover top wide receivers, and make game-changing plays. His run defending and tackling really make him a complete player. Winfield Jr. tallied 52 tackles last year, recovering one fumble, and returning an interception 82 yards for a touchdown.
The best trait you can have as a defensive back is hip fluidity. It allows the player to redirect as the wide receiver breaks off the route at the stem. Winfield Jr. adjusts and gets his hands in the passing lane because he is in perfect position. There aren’t many players you can stick in the box, at single-high safety, or at traditional cornerback. Winfield Jr. is going to be placed all over the field to blitz, tackle, and make plays on the ball. His footwork and fundamentals are incredibly impressive and P.J. Fleck couldn’t stop gushing over Winfield Jr. during spring ball. It is clear he sees the special talent in Winfield Jr.’s game. He’s a playmaker and will be utilized in unique ways this season.
Jacob Huff- Junior- S
Jacob Huff was making plays in spring ball and Coach Fleck frequently mentioned his name during spring practice press conferences. Huff is another player that can be moved around the field because of his unique blend of speed and explosion. He can close on plays quickly and has developed improved reaction instincts. Not to mention, he has improved his ball skills. Huff can be placed at the line of scrimmage and sent on safety blitzes.
I expect him to start next to Duke McGhee in the base 4-3 defense. Huff provides upside as a tackler and is evolving in coverage. He’ll likely rotate with Antoine Winfield Jr. when the Gophers are in nickel. Huff played in all 13 games, but wasn’t in the main mix of defensive backs. He has developed fundamentally over the last year and should be placed in the discussion for a starting role.
Dorborwulu Cooper- Redshirt Junior- CB
Dorborwulu Cooper redshirted last season after joining the Gophers from Central Lakes Community College in Brainerd, MN. Cooper, a very speedy defensive back, made plays on the ball by using his speed and quick twitch to be disruptive. In one season at Central Lakes, he notched four interceptions and was a spark-plug when the ball reached his hands.
Cooper adjusts well to passes and tracks them into his frame when jump balls occur in traffic. With his lack of size, he is more of a slot cornerback, but has the ability to provide some energy to the defense. He needs significant work from a fundamental standpoint, but I’m wondering if he couldn’t be used as a return man because of his dynamic skill-set.
Zo Craighton- Redshirt Sophomore- CB
Zo Craighton was a player that caught my eye during certain portions of spring practice. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Craighton has above average length, but won’t blow you away with his speed. He has a tendency to play stiff and it causes him to lose off the snap to speeder wide receivers. Craighton matches up better with slower, more physical wide receivers. In run support, he is an impressive tackler and tallied a big stop in the bowl game last year. His fundamentals against the run are very polished. In addition, he has shown strong ball/recognition skills at both the high school and collegiate levels. In my eyes, Craighton could be sent off corner blitzes because of his tackling ability and above average physicality.
Coney Durr- Sophomore- CB
After filling in admirably when suspensions struck the Gophers’ secondary in the bowl game, Coney Durr is poised to see more playing time. Unfortunately, he suffered an ACL tear late in the game and is recovering from the injury. Durr uses his light footwork and lose hips to shadow wide receivers. He stays tight to the receiver because of his natural fluidity and physicality. This prevents the pass catcher from getting extended separation. In his one appearance, I was impressed with Durr’s fundamentals. He hadn’t received many reps, but performed above expectations. Durr should be recovered in time for the season to provide necessary depth at defensive back
Kiondre Thomas- Redshirt Freshman- CB
Kiondre Thomas is one of the major x-factors on the Gophers’ defense in 2017. Thomas, a redshirt freshman, will be asked to start opposite of Antonio Shenault at cornerback. At 6-feet-tall, Thomas has the frame to play as a physical press cornerback. He has a strong muscular build to pair with light feet and hip fluidity. Thomas has a similar prototype to former Gopher cornerback Eric Murray. He is active as a pass defender and doesn’t allow the wide receiver to get space off the snap.
Thomas has long arms, which allow him to get into passing lanes for breakups. He must start closing on these plays and didn’t display soft hands to grab interceptions. However, Thomas was a player that stood out during spring ball because of his attention to fundamentals and will be a major contributor this year.
Ken Handy-Holly- Freshman- S
It’s been discussed numerous times on Gopher Hole podcasts, but Ken Handy Holly has the chance to be a very special player. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Holly has impressive length and instincts in the backend. His ability to diagnose plays are unparalleled for a player with his youth. He has impressive closing speed on the ball and tracks it at the highest point.
Handy Holly can be placed in single-high looks and moved into the box. His closing speed and hard-hitting edge make him the complete package as an athlete. He must add more weight to his frame, and once he does, he’ll take his game to the next level. The Alabama product has the chance to develop into a solid NFL prospect in four years because of his intangibles.
Justus Harris- Freshman- CB
As another “Peach State Pipeline” product, Justus Harris will serve as depth in his first season. However, he has high developmental potential as a player. His tape shows a fundamentally sound tackler with above average reaction skills. Harris diagnoses a play and explodes quickly to make a stop. In coverage, Harris isn’t grabby, but presses hard and stays physical within the first five yards. He keeps the wide receiver on his hip and quickly swivels to get in position for a play on the ball. Harris has a quick twitch and must continue working on being more consistent with his footwork, especially against more physical wide receivers.
Adam Beck- Freshman- CB
At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Texas recruit Adam Beck brings impressive length and athleticism to the cornerback position. In addition, his frame and athletic ability will allow him to play safety in a pinch. Beck is an extremely reliable tackler in space, breaking down, staying low, and making stops. In coverage, he has impressive ball skills and body control in traffic. He needs to add more weight, but the strength and conditioning program should help with that.
He consistently sticks his long arms into passing lanes to create more pass breakups. Beck needs to add more physicality to his skill-set, but has all of the traits to develop into a dominant cornerback. More instruction on his footwork and press coverage skills will help Beck continue to improve as a player. When he reaches his ceiling, he’ll become an immediate contributor in the Gophers secondary.
Redshirt freshman Brady Wieland, freshman Jon Santaga, freshman Alex Strazzanti, freshman Tommy Fuller, redshirt freshman Calvin Swenson, and sophomore community college transfer Jack Leius will provide deep depth for the future.