Reassure me about the Defensive Line

Bring back the Axe

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We lost almost everybody and the new guys are talented, but very inexperienced. At least for the first half of the season it could be a real struggle.

Who do you think will emerge as an impact player ?
 



We lost almost everybody and the new guys are talented, but very inexperienced. At least for the first half of the season it could be a real struggle.

Who do you think will emerge as an impact player ?
New faces but a lot of exciting prospects. Until we see the rotation it is tough to say who might break out but I expect big things Carter and Rush.

We have brought in some really highly regarded prospects along the D-Line over the last few years. I bet we get to see a few of them this year.
 

The trouble with college football is that players will get injured, graduate, transfer or whatever. All teams go through it. I trust in Fleck that he'll put together a good football team in all areas. No doubt however we are at that point where we do wonder what is going to happen and who is going to take charge on the team.
 


Carter, Joyner, Booker.
Love that Booker is listed although not likely a starter week 1. Im not sure if a depth chart is out. Thomas Rush a few years ago was not great but last year played really well and expect the same. Our secondary will be fantastic.

The d line is really important in a few games against WI, Iowa, and perhaps Illinois this year. Think Mich St is going to struggle with the run game.
 

Rush has to step up bigly. Has to try to fill Mafe's shoes as best as possible.

We brought in Surgers from Vandy, not sure where he's at in the competition to replace Otomewo?

Carter was a starter, huge run stuffer/hole plugger in the middle. Should continue that.

No idea on 3tech, which is a huge position for getting pressure on the QB up the middle. The transfer from Clemson? Is Devin Eastern (Shakopee) ready to step up?


We obviously have our own stable of other guys, backups, young guys, etc. Don't know them well.
 

Seems like there's a lot of depth at the DE position. But what is the depth chart like for the DTs? Anyone know who has been playing on the first team? Carter and Richter? I hear about Baugh quite a bit.
 

These were the defense starters during the regular season last year FWIW:

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Oto, Pinckney, Dew, and Mafe are all gone. Carter still here, Rush is a senior.

Gibbens gone, Sori-Martin and Oliver still here. Lindenberg replace Gibbens? No idea there.

DB is mostly intact other than Harris and Durr. T-time I assume expected to step up for Durr's spot. Not sure who the nickle will be, maybe the kid they brought in from lower level in Texas? Also have that true freshman safety that Fleck was saying not sure if they can keep him off the field this year.
 



Seems like there's a lot of depth at the DE position. But what is the depth chart like for the DTs? Anyone know who has been playing on the first team? Carter and Richter? I hear about Baugh quite a bit.
Oh yeah, forgot about Baugh. I know Fleck at the recent presser said they loved when he ran down some RB on his film at his last school. No idea if he has a chance at 3tech? Seems more like a nose, though?
 

IIRC the defense was a big question mark in August 2021 and turned out to be the strength of the team. Some observers are stating the defensive line looks really good and has depth to boot, caveats on “practice” apply but that has to be encouraging news. Add that to a talented defensive back crew with some injections of transfer talent and a maturing linebacker corps and I am sufficiently intrigued.
 

I was at Thursday's practice and, while I forgot my glasses!!:-( and had a hard time making out individual players, I was VERY impressed with the defense. They were not tackling to the ground, rather just grabbing the RB. The RBs would struggle, break free and head down field. If you weren't paying that close attention you might think the RB had gotten through the D line but if it had been a tackle scrimmage the RB would have been down at the line or within a yard or two. I remember thinking that unless NMSU has a better O line than the gophers they may have negative rushing stats for the game!

The passing game was a little better for the O. There were a few times when receivers were running free, and then quickly tackled, but for the most part, the receivers were tightly covered. T-Time and D. Wright were in a drill right in front of where I was sitting and I would guess Smith won at least half of the battles - and yes - Dylan Wright is as good as advertised which tells you the level that Smith was playing at.

One last note. There were a lot of simulations. A couple were "4th and 1 at the goal line" and "third and two at the goal line". As far as I can remember the O did not score. This D is VERY fast, quick, and able to put very good pressure on the QB.

I truly think we will have the best D in the Big10 this fall. I say that as a 37-year season ticket holder. I am far from an expert, but in a general sort of way, I can tell a bad team from a good team. If the D plays all season like I saw Thursday night, they will have been the best Gopher's D I have ever seen!
 

wondering about the defense - there's a new edition out of the "Gopher Gridiron Radio" Podcast. They spend an hour going through the defense position by position.

the hosts were very upbeat about the depth on defense. said the Gophers are two-deep or three-deep at all four DL positions. really like a lot of the younger players.

give it a listen. I recently discovered the setting where you can play a podcast back at faster than normal speed. 1.25x is good. 1.5x gets a little fast, but is still listenable.
 



I'm more worried about replacing gibbens.

I feel good about dline, secondary, less so on Lb
 

IIRC the defense was a big question mark in August 2021 and turned out to be the strength of the team. Some observers are stating the defensive line looks really good and has depth to boot, caveats on “practice” apply but that has to be encouraging news. Add that to a talented defensive back crew with some injections of transfer talent and a maturing linebacker corps and I am sufficiently intrigued.
These will be Fleck recruits this year for the most part. I believe he has a room of really nice talent and it will be obvious.
 

Our D last year was arguably the best performing group we have had post the 60’s it was truly inspiring overall. If we can rush the passer in an equivalent manner post Mafe this year’s version can be as good or better. The pass rush and how some of the younger guys do there is a legit concern. Rush breaking out last year to an extent and back this year is a good start but pressure from the other DL positions is critical, too. They will blitz Oliver and Dixon a lot, IMO, which should be fun.
 

I have some concerns about stopping the run up the middle, but overall am feeling pretty good about the DL.

At DE, Thomas Rush is better than most people give credit for, and I wouldn't be shocked to see him playing on Sundays.

Jalen Logan-Redding seems to be in the lead for the other DE spot. Both guys play the run well, and can get pressure on the QB.

Trill Carter can play 3 technique, or 1 technique, but is naturally a 3, can get some pressure up the middle, and that's where he'll likely see most of his snaps this season. With our DB's being very good, the DL should also have some extra time to get after the QB.

It's the 1 technique/nose guard that concerns me a bit. Logan Richter has the size, and has been in the program for years, but lacks the experience. He's now hurt, which sucks because he needs as many reps as possible. That leaves Kyler Baugh, or Jacob Schuster, both of whom are a little undersized, and/or inexperienced. We could also see Carter slide over to the 1, with talented, but inexperienced guys like Gage Keys, or Devean Eastern playing the 3. Is that enough beef to stop the Wisconsin's & Iowa's from successfully running it right at us? We'll see!
 

We lost almost everybody and the new guys are talented, but very inexperienced. At least for the first half of the season it could be a real struggle.

Who do you think will emerge as an impact player ?
I don’t think they are actually all that inexperienced. Carter has played a lot, Richter a fair amount, Rush quite a bit. Surgers, Baugh, Jefferies, Logan Redding, Jah Joyner, they’ve all played a fair amount.
 

I have some concerns about stopping the run up the middle, but overall am feeling pretty good about the DL.

At DE, Thomas Rush is better than most people give credit for, and I wouldn't be shocked to see him playing on Sundays.

Jalen Logan-Redding seems to be in the lead for the other DE spot. Both guys play the run well, and can get pressure on the QB.

Trill Carter can play 3 technique, or 1 technique, but is naturally a 3, can get some pressure up the middle, and that's where he'll likely see most of his snaps this season. With our DB's being very good, the DL should also have some extra time to get after the QB.

It's the 1 technique/nose guard that concerns me a bit. Logan Richter has the size, and has been in the program for years, but lacks the experience. He's now hurt, which sucks because he needs as many reps as possible. That leaves Kyler Baugh, or Jacob Schuster, both of whom are a little undersized, and/or inexperienced. We could also see Carter slide over to the 1, with talented, but inexperienced guys like Gage Keys, or Devean Eastern playing the 3. Is that enough beef to stop the Wisconsin's & Iowa's from successfully running it right at us? We'll see!
What is Richter’s injury? Could Jefferies be a factor?
 


wondering about the defense - there's a new edition out of the "Gopher Gridiron Radio" Podcast. They spend an hour going through the defense position by position.

the hosts were very upbeat about the depth on defense. said the Gophers are two-deep or three-deep at all four DL positions. really like a lot of the younger players.

give it a listen. I recently discovered the setting where you can play a podcast back at faster than normal speed. 1.25x is good. 1.5x gets a little fast, but is still listenable.
Ryan Burns on Gridiron radio says he doesn’t see much of a d line drop-off…says dlinemen playing most physical in trenches he’s ever seen…credits previous recruiting and new line coach Haley….says recruits look great…says depth is great

Burns: number one rush end: Thomas Rush…he is not Rush of 2020…he was better than Mafe against run last year and among best on team in sacks, pressures…fifth year player…

Burns: Striggow and Austin Booker pushing Rush…Striggow very good run defender, Booker has great pash rush skills….can rotate all three with confidence…

at other end spot, replacing Otomewo….Burns says JalenLoganRedding has been good run defender, but new def end coach Brick Haley is upgrading his pass rush…Haley had recruited him to Mizzou…JLR flipped recruiting commitment when Haley left Mizzou

Burns says JahJoyner pushing JLR…Joyner better pass rusher…Surgers also a viable option, pushing for time…good competition

Burns: no more Pinckney, no more Treadway…Trill Carter returns…likely 3 tech…most disruptive dlinemen….2nd year guy Deven Eastern, number 91, is physicalily impressive, looks like Hageman looked…likely will spell Carter….Gage Keys has similar look…Luther McCoy pushing for time

Burns: Richter banged up but has experience…huge, space eating nose….transfer Baugh not as big but in weight room as strong as anyone on team…Schuster and Jeffries pushing for time at this one tech

Burns says non con should give more answers…11 dlinemen should see action…
 

I'm more worried about replacing gibbens.

I feel good about dline, secondary, less so on Lb
Burns on linebackers:
….SoriMarin moving to mike…6’3, 245…huge quads….has so much experience… maybe can be a playmaker like Gibbens?
…..at Will lb:
Oliver can be a playmaker…light came on later in season last year…healthy, flying around
Cody Lindenberg is best looking linebacker, very fast…has had freak accidents…started as true frosh in 2020…then injured, injured again last year…

Willis and Aune at other linebacker Sam….base is 4-2, but mix in Sam some…Aune better in coverage

Finnessy, Williams in mix
 

Ryan Burns on Gridiron radio says he doesn’t see much of a d line drop-off…says dlinemen playing most physical in trenches he’s ever seen…credits previous recruiting and new line coach Haley….says recruits look great…says depth is great

Burns: number one rush end: Thomas Rush…he is not Rush of 2020…he was better than Mafe against run last year and among best on team in sacks, pressures…fifth year player…

Burns: Striggow and Austin Booker pushing Rush…Striggow very good run defender, Booker has great pash rush skills….can rotate all three with confidence…

at other end spot, replacing Otomewo….Burns says JalenLoganRedding has been good run defender, but new def end coach Brick Haley is upgrading his pass rush…Haley had recruited him to Mizzou…JLR flipped recruiting commitment when Haley left Mizzou

Burns says JahJoyner pushing JLR…Joyner better pass rusher…Surgers also a viable option, pushing for time…good competition

Burns: no more Pinckney, no more Treadway…Trill Carter returns…likely 3 tech…most disruptive dlinemen….2nd year guy Deven Eastern, number 91, is physicalily impressive, looks like Hageman looked…likely will spell Carter….Gage Keys has similar look…Luther McCoy pushing for time

Burns: Richter banged up but has experience…huge, space eating nose….transfer Baugh not as big but in weight room as strong as anyone on team…Schuster and Jeffries pushing for time at this one tech

Burns says non con should give more answers…11 dlinemen should see action…
Great stuff, will be fun to see how the d-line rotation works itself out. We have brought in a number of interesting prospects along the D-Line and we should start seeing some of those guys in action this year.
 

Burns on corners:

…Walley has added muscle, filled out his frame, looks good…Terrell Smith having great camp, looked good in camp last year, but then had some struggles…has the size, length speed, physicality to be best in room…Stapp, from same school as Gibbens, just makes plays…good vs run and pass…not big, but quick and instinctual…Bishop has been very good as well…Dixon is impressive…plays downhill…nickel slot safety

Burns on safety:

Nubin and Howden look good

can be PJs best secondary…Can be best safeties in Big

Dixon first backup.Darius Green and Jalen Glaze good depth…true freshman Bryson is surprise of camp…staff and teammates sing his praises

Burns says the secondary needs more picks
 
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Theres a lot to replace on the D line for sure, but IMO the linebacking is the bigger worry.
 

I have some concerns about stopping the run up the middle, but overall am feeling pretty good about the DL.

At DE, Thomas Rush is better than most people give credit for, and I wouldn't be shocked to see him playing on Sundays.

Jalen Logan-Redding seems to be in the lead for the other DE spot. Both guys play the run well, and can get pressure on the QB.

Trill Carter can play 3 technique, or 1 technique, but is naturally a 3, can get some pressure up the middle, and that's where he'll likely see most of his snaps this season. With our DB's being very good, the DL should also have some extra time to get after the QB.

It's the 1 technique/nose guard that concerns me a bit. Logan Richter has the size, and has been in the program for years, but lacks the experience. He's now hurt, which sucks because he needs as many reps as possible. That leaves Kyler Baugh, or Jacob Schuster, both of whom are a little undersized, and/or inexperienced. We could also see Carter slide over to the 1, with talented, but inexperienced guys like Gage Keys, or Devean Eastern playing the 3. Is that enough beef to stop the Wisconsin's & Iowa's from successfully running it right at us? We'll see!
Oh, I thought Carter was a nose. He's a big boy! If he has the speed/athleticism to rush the passer, great.
 

Burns on linebackers:
….SoriMarin moving to mike…6’3, 245…huge quads….has so much experience… maybe can be a playmaker like Gibbens?
…..at Will lb:
Oliver can be a playmaker…light came on later in season last year…healthy, flying around
Cody Lindenberg is best looking linebacker, very fast…has had freak accidents…started as true frosh in 2020…then injured, injured again last year…

Willis and Aune at other linebacker Sam….base is 4-2, but mix in Sam some…Aune better in coverage

Finnessy, Williams in mix
If 4-2-5 is base, wonder who they'll start at nickle. I know Fleck talked about that one true freshman, may not be able to keep him off field.

Ideally guy who can cover slot receiver like a corner, but tackle like a strong saftey/"smallish" LB.
 

Burns on corners:

…Walley has added muscle, filled out his frame, looks good…Terrell Smith having great camp, looked good in camp last year, but then had some struggles…has the size, length speed, physicality to be best in room…Stapp, from same school as Gibbens, just makes plays…good vs run and pass…not big, but quick and instinctual…Bishop has been very good as well…Dixon is impressive…plays downhill…nickel slot safety

Burns on safety:

Nubin and Howden look good

can be PJs best secondary…Can be best safeties in Big

Dixon first backup.Darius Green and Jalen Glaze good depth…true freshman Bryson is surprise of camp…staff and teammates sing his praises

Burns says the secondary needs more picks
Ah, and so there is the answer I guess. Start out with Dixon (at nickle) and see how it goes. Bryson is the true freshman I was thinking of.


Great updates, swingman. Thanks!
 

If 4-2-5 is base, wonder who they'll start at nickle. I know Fleck talked about that one true freshman, may not be able to keep him off field.

Ideally guy who can cover slot receiver like a corner, but tackle like a strong saftey/"smallish" LB.

Sounds like Ryan Stapp, or Michael 'Flip' Dixon, depending on the situation.
 

This might be one of the deeper overall defenses we have had in a while. Maybe not the most experienced, but seems like every position has multiple guys that have decent experience and are game ready physically.
 




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