No OL transfers troubles me.

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Otis

Otis

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Maybe there is still time but I really thought we’d sign one or two.
 

QB, WRs with potential....

Yeah the other part is OL .... little worried about that. Pass protection was spotty last year, specifically in drop back passing type situations.
 

Otis said:
Maybe there is still time but I really thought we’d sign one or two.
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Transfer portal is not over. There will be waves of players going in after bowl games and again after spring practices.

If they aren't looking for OL transfers than that would indicate they like what they have coming back. But either way, there is still a lot of time left to bring someone in if they want to.
 


Rockraven said:
Clearly PJ and Kirk are pretty comfortable about the OL.
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Likewise they are comfortable with our RB existing and incoming talent. If you don’t like what we have Evans and the freshmen coming in are answers. The schemes will change to accommodate styles other than the All American style of Mo.
 



I would be much more concerned if we targeted a bunch of OL in the portal and didn't get them. Our staff seems to be content with who we currently have and what they're seeing, which to me is a good sign

Also there's still plenty of time in the portal to make changes if need be
 

Johnson may start from day 1 on the OL as a true freshmen.

Like others have said, there are guys in the mix (Tyler Cooper, Karter Shaw, Nathan Boe) and still potential for transfers.

Also guys post 2020 only get to red-shirt, so Tony Nelson, Cade McConnell, Ashton Beers. Will be in the mix.
 

Both Filiaga and Carroll committed to us after the bowl games (early January). So I wouldn't rule out an OL yet.

That said, I think the staff will be picky. A lot of the games who are next up have been here awhile and have played quite a bit of football. I don't think they need "bodies" as much as they needed them last year.
 



I really like our OL room a lot of young talent may have some growing pains next year but long-term we should be in good shape.
 

As others said, there is another window after spring ball to do transfer portal.

And there is no 25 new player limit this year (or next), so you can bet they will hit it again later this spring.
 

MaxyJR1 said:
Johnson may start from day 1 on the OL as a true freshmen.

Like others have said, there are guys in the mix (Tyler Cooper, Karter Shaw, Nathan Boe) and still potential for transfers.

Also guys post 2020 only get to red-shirt, so Tony Nelson, Cade McConnell, Ashton Beers. Will be in the mix.
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No disrespect, but there is close to zero chance Johnson starts next year. If he does, we have been hit hard by injuries and all the recent OL recruits are trash. Let's hope neither is the case.
 

I also think that with WI going to a different offense that we may see OL recruits start looking at MN more in the future.
 




WriterGoph said:
No disrespect, but there is close to zero chance Johnson starts next year. If he does, we have been hit hard by injuries and all the recent OL recruits are trash. Let's hope neither is the case.
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I'm just going off of what seems to be the narrative from Fleck, Burns and others that he will play sooner than later. Do you know something we don't?
 

Fleck and company do the analysis and I'm in no position to doubt their assessment, but I thought they would try to pick up another OL or two in the transfer portal as well. If you are going to run the ball as much as we do and be effective with that approach, you need a solid OL.
 

GopherTakes said:
I would be much more concerned if we targeted a bunch of OL in the portal and didn't get them. Our staff seems to be content with who we currently have and what they're seeing, which to me is a good sign

Also there's still plenty of time in the portal to make changes if need be
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This to me is the key. I don't even recall them making any offers...maybe 1? Tells me they're either satisfied with the roster or weren't enthralled with the options.
 

Funny how we're concerned about not getting OL through the portal because it was "spotty" last year....when some of our starters were guys we got in the portal.

I think our OL will be fine.
 

Rockraven said:
Clearly PJ and Kirk are pretty comfortable about the OL.
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We had several really good OL guys "in waiting" that were either injured or got squeezed out by transfers Filiaga and Carroll last season. They're all still here and might be totally ready to play: Boe; Shaw; Guedet; Lewis; Cooper + plus some other recent recruits. among others.

Instead of getting OL transfers, PJ went out and killed the OL HS recruiting, getting Minnesota stars Williams, Johnson and Tripp; getting Mister out of Indiana; and flipping rising star Phillip Daniels from Pitt on signing day. And these five aren't just big guys--they are big, athletic guys. It was a haul.

This tells me that PJ and Callahan are content with what we have on the OL going into 2023 and that, for the spots we have available (which are limited), it made much more sense to reconstruct the WR options that AK8 will have to work with next year.

Now if an excellent multi-year OL transfer falls into our lap, and we have an available spot, PJ will probably take him (ending some younger lineman's career at Minn). But I am not at all concerned with where our OL stands today. PJ is investing in building for the future at OL-- a good sign for the present.
 
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WriterGoph said:
No disrespect, but there is close to zero chance Johnson starts next year. If he does, we have been hit hard by injuries and all the recent OL recruits are trash. Let's hope neither is the case.
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So Fleck flat out lied at his presser?
 

MGGopher said:
This to me is the key. I don't even recall them making any offers...maybe 1? Tells me they're either satisfied with the roster or weren't enthralled with the options.
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We tried to get Marcellus Marshall from Kent State who took an OV here last week but he committed to UCF yesterday .
 

I’m more concerned with LB. Selig will help right away but experienced depth is a concern as is the ability for linebackers to be able to do pass coverage imo. Would like to see some higher rated LB’s coming here.
 

WriterGoph said:
No disrespect, but there is close to zero chance Johnson starts next year. If he does, we have been hit hard by injuries and all the recent OL recruits are trash. Let's hope neither is the case.
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At the press conference PJ talked about Johnson potentially being ready to play right away. I'm not sure anything has to go super south for him to outplay someone at guard.

Also, PJ specifically said they MIGHT look to add another OL in the portal.
 

MaxyJR1 said:
I'm just going off of what seems to be the narrative from Fleck, Burns and others that he will play sooner than later. Do you know something we don't?
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True freshman is rare. Playing significant time/starting even by 2nd year is a great accomplishment.

Even if we bring no one else in and don't move Carroll inside, I have to think that Boe, Shaw, Cooper, and the younger Ruschmeyer would all be much better prepared to play inside for the season.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
At the press conference PJ talked about Johnson potentially being ready to play right away. I'm not sure anything has to go super south for him to outplay someone at guard.

Also, PJ specifically said they MIGHT look to add another OL in the portal.
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Fair enough.

Sometimes you wonder if it's just Fleck being a salesman at what is just a big PR event. But we'll see.


Is he coming early for spring? If yes, then there is a chance. If not, I can't see it.
 

I too thought they would hit the portal for OL, but then again I thought going for a rb would be a good idea too.
 


Gophers_4life said:
True freshman is rare. Playing significant time/starting even by 2nd year is a great accomplishment.

Even if we bring no one else in and don't move Carroll inside, I have to think that Boe, Shaw, Cooper, and the younger Ruschmeyer would all be much better prepared to play inside for the season.
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Being ready to play as a true freshman o-lineman is definitely rare but it can happen. We had two prime examples of Setterstrom and Eslinger who started for their entire careers. At 6'6" and 305 Johnson has the size to compete right now. All comes down to strength and technique.

Wouldn't want to bank on a true freshman lineman being ready to go right away but I also wouldn't think Fleck would float the idea of him potentally playing unless they saw something that told them he might be ready to go right away.
 


MNVCGUY said:
Being ready to play as a true freshman o-lineman is definitely rare but it can happen. We had two prime examples of Setterstrom and Eslinger who started for their entire careers. At 6'6" and 305 Johnson has the size to compete right now. All comes down to strength and technique.

Wouldn't want to bank on a true freshman lineman being ready to go right away but I also wouldn't think Fleck would float the idea of him potentally playing unless they saw something that told them he might be ready to go right away.
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Is he coming early for spring ball?
 

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