2021 Minnesota High School Football Signees

[MNVCGUY]

conventional wisdom is the best way to get good kids who want to be a part of your program is locally

But at the end of the day the only thing that matters is getting the best kids that want to be a part of your program

How about Iowa state (a program whose trajectory I would compare to Minnesota’s even though they may be a little ahead) getting 0 of the top 7 in their state

Forever a Gopher laid it out well in his post above. And I agree with his take that in-state recruiting is way more important in basketball than it is in football for Minnesota. Pitino could have built a damn good team if he could have kept more of the top talent home.

For football, we have lost some highly rated OL prospects that would have been great to keep home. But looking at our roster the OL seems like a strength heading into 2021 so we don't appear to be missing those guys that left a ton.

Did a quick look at the top recruits from Minnesota over the past few years and then checked the depth chart of the team they ended up on. Couldn't find a number of them in the projected 2-deeps that the site ourlads puts together. Bottom line is I don't see a lot of high rated talent that has left that would have greatly shifted our fortunes had they stayed home. Not counting guys like Trey Lance who were missed by basically everyone, referring more to the guys who turned us down for another power 5 opportunity.

 

[Some guy]

Forever a Gopher laid it out well in his post above. And I agree with his take that in-state recruiting is way more important in basketball than it is in football for Minnesota. Pitino could have built a damn good team if he could have kept more of the top talent home.

For football, we have lost some highly rated OL prospects that would have been great to keep home. But looking at our roster the OL seems like a strength heading into 2021 so we don't appear to be missing those guys that left a ton.

Did a quick look at the top recruits from Minnesota over the past few years and then checked the depth chart of the team they ended up on. Couldn't find a number of them in the projected 2-deeps that the site ourlads puts together. Bottom line is I don't see a lot of high rated talent that has left that would have greatly shifted our fortunes had they stayed home. Not counting guys like Trey Lance who were missed by basically everyone, referring more to the guys who turned us down for another power 5 opportunity.

I can think of some.
Ragnow (bama)
Cornell (Ohio state)
Henderson (Miami)
Floyd (notre dame)

Most of it is top end talent that is nationally recruited.
Wisconsin is somewhat lucky that they produce about the same amount of top end recruits but the state of wisconsin produces more talent that is FBS but not nationally recruited type d1 talent.

I personally think that Wisconsin HS football is helped by the decentralized geography. The good Wisconsin HS teams come from all over the state. In Minnesota, it’s basically the metro. There are exceptions. But the best Mankato teams, Owatonna teams, probably don’t make the state tourney if there were 5 classes instead of 7

 

[MNVCGUY]

I can think of some.
Ragnow (bama)
Cornell (Ohio state)
Henderson (Miami)
Floyd (notre dame)

Most of it is top end talent that is nationally recruited.
Wisconsin is somewhat lucky that they produce about the same amount of top end recruits but the state of wisconsin produces more talent that is FBS but not nationally recruited type d1 talent.

I personally think that Wisconsin HS football is helped by the decentralized geography. The good Wisconsin HS teams come from all over the state. In Minnesota, it’s basically the metro. There are exceptions. But the best Mankato teams, Owatonna teams, probably don’t make the state tourney if there were 5 classes instead of 7

Guess I was thinking more in regards to recent guys that have left that Fleck would have had a shot at. But in regards to those guys you listed, look at where they ended up. Looking way back could add another Ohio State guy like Laurenitis (butchered spelling). But those destinations underscore the difficulty of keeping top talent home when there are only a few players each year and they are being recruited by top programs from around the country.

 

[MaxyJR1]

conventional wisdom is the best way to get good kids who want to be a part of your program is locally

But at the end of the day the only thing that matters is getting the best kids that want to be a part of your program

How about Iowa state (a program whose trajectory I would compare to Minnesota’s even though they may be a little ahead) getting 0 of the top 7 in their state

I found that interesting as well. They did better yesterday. It got me thinking that Campbell is potentially being hurt in recruiting because his name is coming up for other jobs. Will be interesting to see how Fleck and Campbell battle that stigma for the 2022 class.

 

[MaxyJR1]

I can think of some.
Ragnow (bama)
Cornell (Ohio state)
Henderson (Miami)
Floyd (notre dame)

Most of it is top end talent that is nationally recruited.
Wisconsin is somewhat lucky that they produce about the same amount of top end recruits but the state of wisconsin produces more talent that is FBS but not nationally recruited type d1 talent.

I personally think that Wisconsin HS football is helped by the decentralized geography. The good Wisconsin HS teams come from all over the state. In Minnesota, it’s basically the metro. There are exceptions. But the best Mankato teams, Owatonna teams, probably don’t make the state tourney if there were 5 classes instead of 7

Ragnow went to Bielema and Arkansas, which makes me think he would have gone to Wisconsin if Bielema had still been there. The Center from East Ridge went to Alabama and was mostly a back-up and rotation guy.

 

[Some guy]

Guess I was thinking more in regards to recent guys that have left that Fleck would have had a shot at. But in regards to those guys you listed, look at where they ended up. Looking way back could add another Ohio State guy like Laurenitis (butchered spelling). But those destinations underscore the difficulty of keeping top talent home when there are only a few players each year and they are being recruited by top programs from around the country.

Yeah. I can’t blame any coach for losing guys who have options all around the country.


look at the recruiting in the state of South Carolina with an SEC program AND Clemson

Top 8 guys
1) Georgia
2) Florida
3) north carolina
4) North Carolina
5) Florida state
6) louisville
7) alabama
8) South Carolina


the 33rd rated prospect signed with a power 5 program (Syracuse)
South Carolina has the worst recruiting class in the SEC and only signed 2 of the top 33 prospects.
Clemson signed the 18th rated prospect in their home state and that is their only recruit from South Carolina.

 

[Some guy]

Ragnow went to Bielema and Arkansas, which makes me think he would have gone to Wisconsin if Bielema had still been there. The Center from East Ridge went to Alabama and was mostly a back-up and rotation guy.

I had that wrong. Who was the guy from East ridge who went to Bama?
Ragnow went to chaska or Chan now that I think about it

 

[hungan1]

If MN kids want to go elsewhere (ahem, Wiscy), it is disappointing. But, PJ Fleck has been able to recruit equal or better players from elsewhere.

Instate loyalty to the Gopher brand isn't like Wisconsin's (yet). First, the Gophers have to win championships (chicken and the egg). It also will take time to build up the brand momentum with young kids being exposed more through camps, and the Gophers sending more players to the NFL. Ultimately, that is every kid's dream.

Wisconsin have been able to deliver MN kids to the promised land (examples by recruiting class):
2010 - Beau Allen, 0.8801, DT, Minnetonka, #4 MN - Patriots
2011- Tyler Marz, OT, 0.7522, Springfield, # 11 MN - Chargers
2012 - Jake Cichy, OLB, N/R, Hill Murray, #N/R - Buccaneers (Injured Reserve)
2013 - Keelon Brookins, DB, 0.8523, Tartan, #3 MN - Transfered to UNI
2013 - Ryan Connelly, ILB, N/R, Eden Prairie, #N/R - Vikings
2016 - Patrick Kasl, OT, 0.8716, Springfield, #2 MN - WI highest rated OT - left program

So, in the Pre PJ Fleck Era Wisconsin have delivered 4/6 players to the NFL.

So comes the PJ Fleck Era, Wisconsin has been able to hit the Gophers hard for instate recruits:
2017 - None
2018 - None
2019 - None
2020 - Kaden Johnson, OLB, 0.9261, Minnehaha Academy, #1 MN player
2020 - Aaron Witt, OLB, 0.8655. Winona. #7 MN player
2021 - Riley Mahlman, OT, 0.9380, Lakeville South, #1 MN player
2021 - Jake Ratzlaff, OLB, 0.8884, Rosemount, #5 MN player

It is disappointing to see this level of MN recruits hopping fences to go East. It is what it is.

I am wondering if there is a ratings inflation over time.

 

[hungan1]

I had that wrong. Who was the guy from East ridge who went to Bama?
Ragnow went to chaska or Chan now that I think about it

JC Hassenauer

 

[hungan1]

Ragnow went to Bielema and Arkansas, which makes me think he would have gone to Wisconsin if Bielema had still been there. The Center from East Ridge went to Alabama and was mostly a back-up and rotation guy.

I don't think so because he was committed to the Gophers, and I believe WI was loaded at OT.

He was persuaded at the last minute to switch to Arkansas after Bilema and his coaches gave him a last minute cavalier treatment.

 

[Taji34]

We always compare our classes to WI and how they keep talent in state, but this is after what, 2 decades of good to great WI teams? What did Barry Alvarez's first 5 classes look like? How about the first 10?

 

[MNVCGUY]

We always compare our classes to WI and how they keep talent in state, but this is after what, 2 decades of good to great WI teams? What did Barry Alvarez's first 5 classes look like? How about the first 10?

Some of the research being done in this and the 2021 thread are actually making Wisconsin look like an oddity in terms of the number of recruits that stay home. Clearly they are doing something right in getting local kids to grow up wanting to play for the Badgers. Maybe their parents deprive them of cheese until they become loyal to the Badgers.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Some of the research being done in this and the 2021 thread are actually making Wisconsin look like an oddity in terms of the number of recruits that stay home. Clearly they are doing something right in getting local kids to grow up wanting to play for the Badgers. Maybe their parents deprive them of cheese until they become loyal to the Badgers.

It's because they can drink with their parents before 21 and think they can never leave.

 

[46Gophers]

Ragnow went to Bielema and Arkansas, which makes me think he would have gone to Wisconsin if Bielema had still been there. The Center from East Ridge went to Alabama and was mostly a back-up and rotation guy.

Yeah that Center is J.C. Hassenauer and is currently on the Steelers and started a few games this year.

 

[MplsGopher]

Another factor - maybe - is places like Mpls and Chicago have a lot of transplants. Kids grow up in households rooting for other programs from their parents "back home". Of course, it may have to do with lack of Gophers and Illini success as well.

 

[Plato]

Success breeds success.
There are many U of WI sports fans who did not go to Madison but stayed in the WI university system.
It is safe to say Badger football is watched and followed across WI more than Gopher FB is watched and followed across MN.
That leads to WI natives to be more likely to want to go to WI to play FB.
This is a completely unscientific opinion only based on having lived in both states with inlaws in both states.

 

[60's Guy]

Agree. If PJ cannot get them to come here then so be it. He is best coach since the music man and man only lasted two years.

Kill/Claeys just had 3 Gophers play in the Super Bowl. And others make NFL rosters.
PJ has Bateman so far.

 

[gophernut1]

Kill/Claeys just had 3 Gophers play in the Super Bowl. And others make NFL rosters.
PJ has Bateman so far.

I guess watching Winfield row the boat in the end zone lets you know how much of a "Fleck guy" he was not. I understand he didn't recruit them, but he helped them become the men that they are.

 

[HitMeAgainIAmStillMoving]

Kill/Claeys just had 3 Gophers play in the Super Bowl. And others make NFL rosters.
PJ has Bateman so far.

When you are right you are right and you right.

 

[btowngopher]

Kill/Claeys just had 3 Gophers play in the Super Bowl. And others make NFL rosters.
PJ has Bateman so far.

So that means they were better coaches than Fleck?

 

[btowngopher]

Kill/Claeys just had 3 Gophers play in the Super Bowl. And others make NFL rosters.
PJ has Bateman so far.

Also PJ hasn’t even had a class of his own graduate yet. Kill took over in 2011 and didn’t have one of his recruits get drafted until 2015. So sick of people crowing about the Kill/Claeys regime having a handful of guys drafted. Any decent big10 team should have several guys drafted pretty much every year. Since Fleck gets zero credit for the gophers Claeys/Kill recruited do you guys even give him credit for Williamson or St Juste?

 

[MNVCGUY]

Also PJ hasn’t even had a class of his own graduate yet. Kill took over in 2011 and didn’t have one of his recruits get drafted until 2015. So sick of people crowing about the Kill/Claeys regime having a handful of guys drafted. Any decent big10 team should have several guys drafted pretty much every year. Since Fleck gets zero credit for the gophers Claeys/Kill recruited do you guys even give him credit for Williamson or St Juste?

Yeah, I don't know if 60's was trying to get some sort of Kill/Fleck pissing match going but the post was pretty pointless.

Heck, if you want to get technical, I don't think TJ becomes the WR he did if the coaching change doesn't happen. Simon should get a ton of credit for helping develop TJ as it was very clear the previous staff had no clue what they were doing with the WR position and the coaching at that spot was subpar at best.

 

[Wally]

If you get say 50% of the top talent to stay home in basketball, you can have a very nice roster.

If we had gotten that the last few years we would be hanging banners. MN is basketball country.

 

[tjgopher]

PJ has Bateman so far.

Does PJ get credit for the eight guys he recruited to Western Michigan and are in the NFL?? Think about that - eight guys Fleck recruited to Western Michigan are in the NFL.

Does PJ get credit for Chris Williamson?

Does PJ get credit for keeping Winfield on campus at a time Winfield was planning to transfer and his family was suing the school?

 

[60's Guy]

Does PJ get credit for the eight guys he recruited to Western Michigan and are in the NFL?? Think about that - eight guys Fleck recruited to Western Michigan are in the NFL.

Does PJ get credit for Chris Williamson?

Does PJ get credit for keeping Winfield on campus at a time Winfield was planning to transfer and his family was suing the school?

He should. Who is next after Bateman?

 

[60's Guy]

Yeah, I don't know if 60's was trying to get some sort of Kill/Fleck pissing match going but the post was pretty pointless.

Heck, if you want to get technical, I don't think TJ becomes the WR he did if the coaching change doesn't happen. Simon should get a ton of credit for helping develop TJ as it was very clear the previous staff had no clue what they were doing with the WR position and the coaching at that spot was subpar at best.

I find it fun to poke the Fleckies. Sorry

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Who was it, Barry Wohler?

Bird Island Barry!

 

[60's Guy]

Barry Wohler and Joe Mauer. Gotta be the two best high school 3 sport stars ever in Minnesota. Both were amazing!!

 

[laazrakit]

I guess watching Winfield row the boat in the end zone lets you know how much of a "Fleck guy" he was not. I understand he didn't recruit them, but he helped them become the men that they are.

PJ had to recruit the hell out of him... He was gone, and his family wanted nothing to do with Minnesota. PJ had to win 'em all back. That rowing the boat in the end zone shows how great of a recruiter Fleck really is.

 

[laazrakit]

Barry Wohler and Joe Mauer. Gotta be the two best high school 3 sport stars ever in Minnesota. Both were amazing!!

Lets not sleep on Dave Winfield... Even though he didn't play college football, he did get drafted by the VIkings. Silly as it may be, that still makes him a 3 sport star in my book.