Thanks for the tidbit. Hands down these are the type of player's who want to be Gophers you'd want in your PWO program. We need more Blake Cashman types. I think that PJ Fleck recognized that you need to build a program with solid foundation from within.
You'd want to build a program not necessarily on scholarship players. You'd need 106 players or so on the team, and I don't know if that includes the practice squad.
You'd want instate kids & kids from neighboring states who want to PWO to fill in positions of need. Fill those non-scholie spots with kids who bleed Maroon & Gold who have heart and determination. I think of the Black Shirts of the glory days in Nebraska, and the Beefcake OLine factory in Wisconsin.
On the Offensive Line aspect, of Wisconsin's 2017 massive O-Line 12 out of 17 are from Wisconsin! I bet many of them are under-recruited non-scholie players. Thirteen of those players weigh 304 pounds or more. The average weight of their O-Line is 313 pounds compared to 298 pounds for the Gophers.
They run rings with RBs with those behemoths blocking, and you can put any average QB in their lineup and make them look good. They have a good model with which they build their program around.
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So, I think PJ Fleck is up to a good start by getting good instate players like the Annexstad boys in the PWO program.
We can't do much about Ronnie Audette (OT 6'3"310 lbs, NDSU), Jacob Smith (OT 6'6", 319 lbs, BYU), Bryce Kennedy (6' 7", SD), Joe Schreiber (OC, 6' 3" 285 lbs, NDSU), Matt Waletzko (OT 6' 7", ND) who want scholies elsewhere. Can't blame kids who want their tuition guaranteed or who wants better chances of playing time. Somehow, Wisconsin found ways to keep these type of guys instate.
But, there are other players like JT Awosika (OT 6'5" 270), Riley Hansen (OT 6'4" 295 lbs), Odell Wilson (6'6" 260 lbs), Gerone Hamilton, Jr (OT 6'5" 285 lbs), Adam Cook (OT 6'7" 315 lbs), Nick Radunz (OT 6'5" 265 lbs), Ben Pizak (OC 6' 1" 265 lbs), and Manny Alvarez (OT 6'5" 265 lbs) who may be serviceable players who can be coached and beefed up. Do they have the financial wherewithal, loans/grants, or can they pass admissions requirements?
https://247sports.com/Season/2018-Football/Recruits?Player.Enabled=True&Position.Key=po_17,po_16,po_18&Player.Hometown.State.Key=sa_28&Recruitment.Enabled=False
The potential is there to tap instate resources and build an O-Line like Wisconsin. Moving forward, our offensive line is critical to improving our offense.