5 biggest questions Gophers football must answer this summer

[BleedGopher]

Per TL:

The spring transfer portal window is now closed for new entrants and spring practice is in the rearview mirror, setting the stage for the biggest questions the Gophers still have to answer before the 2025 season begins. Let's dive in...

1. What is the starting offensive line?​

Minnesota's starting offensive line is the biggest question on the 2025 roster. In spring practice, the Gophers appeared to be rolling with Nathan Roy at left tackle, Greg Johnson at left guard, Ashton Beers at center, UCF transfer Marcellus Marshall at right guard, and Kentucky transfer Dylan Ray at right tackle.

2. Who is WR1?​

The Gophers revamped the wide receiver room this offseason, adding three players from the transfer portal: Javon Tracy from Miami (OH), UCLA's Logan Loya, and Nebraska's Malachi Coleman. After spring practice, there still seems to be no clear answer as to who the No. 1 target is. I would still lean towards Tracy leading this team in receptions and yards in 2025, but Loya and returning veteran Le'Meke Brockington might have something to say about it.

3. Who is the backup quarterback?​

When Minnesota added Zach Pyron from the transfer portal last winter, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that he and Drake Lindsey would be their top two quarterbacks. Now, Pyron is at South Alabama and the Gophers added Emmett Morehead from the transfer portal. Morehead is the only quarterback on the roster with starting experience, so on paper, he's likely the favorite to assume backup duties behind Lindsey. I think it's a role he's going to have to earn, and I wouldn't count out Max Shikenjanski or Dylan Wittke to beat him out.

4. What will Koi Perich's offensive role be?​

Perich stole all the headlines this spring when he donned a split jersey, implying his duties as a defensive and offensive player. P.J. Fleck and the Gophers coaching staff confirmed they want to work him into some offensive plays this season, but the question is how much?

5. How big will Darius Taylor's workload be?​

The Gophers retooled their running back room this offseason around Taylor. They've added A.J. Turner from Marshall, Cameron Davis from Washington, and Johann Cardenas from Vanderbilt in the transfer portal. They also signed three incoming freshmen.

5 biggest questions Gophers football must answer this summer

The spring transfer portal window is now closed and spring practice is in the rearview mirror, setting the stage for the biggest questions yet to be answered.

www.si.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[gopherbadgerman]

IMO QB is by far the biggest question mark on the team. No one knows how good any of them are.

 

[MNVCGUY]

So the only question involving the D involves how much Perich is going to play offense?...

 

[Word]

IMO QB is by far the biggest question mark on the team. No one knows how good any of them are.

Agree it's an unknown but my gut feeling is we will be ok there. Probably not as good as Brosmer or 2019 Morgan, but still better than AK.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

So the only question involving the D involves how much Perich is going to play offense?...

My only question is will it be the best defense in the history of CFB.

 

[mcrow47]

Yeah QB has to be number 1 but I think the starting situation is probably clear.

WR is pretty interesting. Tracy is the most productive guy added to the team and seems like the favorite at this point , in my mind but not close to confident in that.

I think the defense as a whole is the biggest question overall though. Lost the DC and a lot of your best players to the NFL and the defense was the strong point last year.

 

[march madness]

Yeah QB has to be number 1 but I think the starting situation is probably clear.

WR is pretty interesting. Tracy is the most productive guy added to the team and seems like the favorite at this point , in my mind but not close to confident in that.

I think the defense as a whole is the biggest question overall though. Lost the DC and a lot of your best players to the NFL and the defense was the strong point last year.

I would add the running game, which was nationally significant in PJ's time at the U, was rather pedestrian last year. If they can return to some of that dominance, it will really help both a young QB and the defense!

 

[mngg11]

I would add the running game, which was nationally significant in PJ's time at the U, was rather pedestrian last year. If they can return to some of that dominance, it will really help both a young QB and the defense!

I'm fine with similar running numbers this year if the passing game is both as open and as successful as it was last year. If we can keep getting DT touches in the passing game it's another dynamic that defenses have to gear up for.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

I'm fine with similar running numbers this year if the passing game is both as open and as successful as it was last year. If we can keep getting DT touches in the passing game it's another dynamic that defenses have to gear up for.

Agree. Running was down cuz PJ finally saw what a modern passing attack could do. Look at how we threw the ball around and almost came back against MI. That was more fun, and gave us a better chance to win, than trying to run against them.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

Morehead is the only quarterback on the roster with starting experience, so on paper, he's likely the favorite to assume backup duties behind Lindsey. I think it's a role he's going to have to earn, and I wouldn't count out Max Shikenjanski or Dylan Wittke to beat him out.

If the other 2 aren't going to beat him out, is he implying that Kollack is higher on the depth chart than one would think? Otherwise, why would he have to earn it if Max and Dylan aren't gonna take it?

 

[Gopherchase]

I kinda hate the history of transfer OL guys playing instead of our high school recruited kids. The transfers that we got this year seem marginal and I would rather see some of our young kids in those roles; even if we see some growing pains.

 

[btowngopher]

If the other 2 aren't going to beat him out, is he implying that Kollack is higher on the depth chart than one would think? Otherwise, why would he have to earn it if Max and Dylan aren't gonna take it?

That seems like it’s worded oddly, according to reports I’ve not seen anything suggesting Kollack would be the number two option.

 

[TNGophfan]

I kinda hate the history of transfer OL guys playing instead of our high school recruited kids. The transfers that we got this year seem marginal and I would rather see some of our young kids in those roles; even if we see some growing pains.

I would like to see that too. But, if what's his name hadn't transferred to OSU, 4 of the 5 starters would be our recruits (as it stands now).

 

[fmlizard]

IMO QB is by far the biggest question mark on the team. No one knows how good any of them are.

I realized yesterday that for those of us who are Gophers/Vikings fans that both teams are going into '25 with solid rosters and a promising young QB who has never thrown a meaningful pass at that level.

Could be studs, could be disasters, more likely somewhere in between

 

[MNVCGUY]

I would like to see that too. But, if what's his name hadn't transferred to OSU, 4 of the 5 starters would be our recruits (as it stands now).

I think most coaches would prefer to build their line from within because it is so dependent on chemistry and guys working together. But the gotta do what you gotta do in terms of making sure you have the depth you need.

 

[march madness]

I'm fine with similar running numbers this year if the passing game is both as open and as successful as it was last year. If we can keep getting DT touches in the passing game it's another dynamic that defenses have to gear up for.

Losing WR's: D. Jackson and Spencer, and going from a 5th yr QB to a first time starting sophmore, there is going to be some regression in the passing game, not for sure, but I assume Vegas would say something like 90% likely (I'm a gambler).

Some of those transfer wr's have good resume's and TE Geers is the best catching TE we have had in a few years, so I am not pessimistic, just realistic. Oh and I think Lindsey has pretty good straight-ahead speed for a big Qb, maybe we can run him on occassion. RB AJ Turner is highly rated and has some home run speed.

 

[march madness]

Yeah QB has to be number 1 but I think the starting situation is probably clear.

WR is pretty interesting. Tracy is the most productive guy added to the team and seems like the favorite at this point , in my mind but not close to confident in that.

I think the defense as a whole is the biggest question overall though. Lost the DC and a lot of your best players to the NFL and the defense was the strong point last year.

Your right the defense loses: LB Lindenberg, DE's Striggow and Joyner, S Henderson, and both corner's: Walley and Robinson.

They return preseason Sports illustrated and PFF all American Koi Perich at safety, and another soph Safety in K Brown who was overshadowed but almost as impressive. LB Baranowski who could lead us in tackles. DT's Eastern and A. Smith both have pro potential, and solid Logan-Redding. The middle is set.

Edges we have transfer S Curtis, talented J. Howard, and many unknowns.

CB has a couple transfers Nestor (Iowa) 247 has him as the #32 ranked cb transfer, Bowden, D. Green was hurt a bit last yr and probably was more of a safety, but maybe could move? Z. Bryan had 5 pbu last yr.

Young LB Carrier could play early, transfer Roberson should help, and Gerlach has some experience.

CB is the weakest spot, with OLB and DE's next.