Philip Nelson Is Leaving The Gopher Program UPDATED 1/29: Transferring to Rutgers

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Bob_Loblaw said:
Shortell is a big armed, lumbering QB. He was not a fit in Kill's offense. He was also passed on the depth chart by a FR. I think he left to find a better fit.

This situation is baffling to me. The only thing that could make some sense is that he didn't think he could progress as a QB taking the amount of hits our system requires. Some ways, he is right. I realize other programs have running QBs, but they are different kind of athletes (athlete who play QB). So I don't know. I doubt Phil finds a better situation than starting on an 8-4 Big 10 team. This doesn't strike me as a decision that he's going to be happy about in the future.

As for the Gophers, it is a loss. At a minimum, we lost our only experienced QB for depth. We need to start building experienced depth, it I our problem at WR and it is now a problem at QB as well. I also think we looked our best in years with Nelson at QB, so I just can't minimize the impact of this transfer. It stinks. Maybe we should recruit less hometown guys (Barker, McDonald, Nelson). . . JK.

Ah well, on to the next one I guess (I'm getting sick of saying this).
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I can't believe I'm actually in agreement with you Bob! Have you heard any updates on Connor Rhoda's progress? 2016 has a nice class of local QB's that could help the Gophers. Seth Green from Eastridge and Trent Pink from Elk River. Green can pass the ball all over the place (Nelson like) and Pink is proficient as a running QB (Leidner). Gophers are recruiting both, plus I like the Green/Pink color name.
 




This may sound really wacky, but don't guys like Philip Nelson dream big? Maybe he dreams of getting a shot in the NFL and wants to find a situation where he thinks he can better develop and showcase his talents for the NFL. While he doesn't appear to be anywhere near NFL ability, I'll bet he wants to do everything in his power to see if he can make it to the NFL. Isn't that what a lot of top athletes dream about?
 



BreakTheGopherCurse said:
Frankly, I'm surprised we don't see a lot more guys transferring from all colleges. If a guy really wants to play football because he loves the game, and wants it just as much as getting a good education, why would he want to stay with a program where he realizes he's not going to play? As a former bench-warmer for two years on my high school basketball team, I can tell you that not playing at all can be very depressing. Although I loved being part of the team and practicing, it was really sad not getting the chance to play.
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Excellent point.
While there are some "Rudy" type guys who are just happy to be on a D1 roster to say they were there, I suspect most players at the college level realize that this is their last chance to play football and would far more welcome a chance to play ball at a lower level than sit on the bench at a Big Ten school.

Nelson is not going to play in the NFL. Not even close, so if it was clear that he'd been passed on the depth chart, moving on to a place where he could enjoy playing for his last couple years of competitive football makes sense, and I don't blame him.

Now if he (and his father) actually think his progress was being held back and that he has a shot to play on Sundays, well that's just delusional.
 

I have mixed feelings. I really wanted Philip to do well. It's almost like how I imagine a divorce must feel. You went into it with great expectations, but got a face full of cold water reality after a few years. It just wasn't working out. Expectations weren't met, apparently on both sides.

As usual, it's more telling what isn't said than is said. Praise for the qb position has been pretty sparse and the lack of endorsement after the bowl game was a big tell. seemed to me if it was "injury issues" as was speculated on kill would have supported phil more vehemently and publicly. Thats when I suspected they had seen enough.

Coach kill has been playing psychological motivation games with Philip all year. It wasn't working, because as someone above said the fire just wasn't there. If you're not buying in 100% to any program or job or profession you can't be a real leader. It all makes sense in hindsight.

I will say I did not see this outcome this soon. Nevertheless nobody should dwell on this too long. It's unfortunate for depth reasons but could actually be a positive for attracting wide receivers.

This is not the catastrophe some of you are making it out to be. Our season next year will ride more on the defense than the o. I'm much more concerned about the defensive losses. We have a redshirt soph QB with potential and redshirt freshman with possibly higher potential. Im excited to see what happens next year!
 

I really don't get it at all. Nelson committed to the U of M, presumably knowing what kind of offense Kill runs...Nelson was given the job of starting QB midway through his freshman season...In his sophomore season, he retained the job of QB1...I just don't get it. Even with Leidner potentially stepping up, Kill has given this Nelson kid so much confidence. Is he really so scared of a little competition? That is what it seems like to me. And his statement about going to a more pass oriented team to fit his strengths seems a little off to me. Nelson can run the ball from the QB position, while in the meantime, is a mediocre passer. It is the element of running that adds to his potential of being a quality D1 QB.

I always thought one of Leidner or Nelson would transfer, but I thought it would be Leidner who would be the one transferring, seeing as how Nelson was given so much playing time.
 



:rolleyes:
skauma said:
I really don't get it at all. Nelson committed to the U of M, presumably knowing what kind of offense Kill runs...Nelson was given the job of starting QB midway through his freshman season...In his sophomore season, he retained the job of QB1...I just don't get it. Even with Leidner potentially stepping up, Kill has given this Nelson kid so much confidence. Is he really so scared of a little competition? That is what it seems like to me. And his statement about going to a more pass oriented team to fit his strengths seems a little off to me. Nelson can run the ball from the QB position, while in the meantime, is a mediocre passer. It is the element of running that adds to his potential of being a quality D1 QB.

I always thought one of Leidner or Nelson would transfer, but I thought it would be Leidner who would be the one transferring, seeing as how Nelson was given so much playing time.
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It was obvious watching his development that he was not improving. I am not sure he played with much "fire" when someone else was getting some of the attention. I would be concerned if he could lead a team where it needs to go by watching him throw from the pocket. Opponents did not have to blitz him, just rush four and keep him in the pocket and he would piss down his leg. He has alot of work to do, to be a big time player. He needs to get his confidence back.
 

Maybe this isn't a big deal, but No Gopher QB has thrown for more than 300 yards under Kill. I get that this is a run-heavy offense, but still, you'd think even in garbage time, someone would rack up some big yards. The last time a Gopher QB threw for more than 300 was when Weber went for 373 in 2010. The opponent? Kill's NIU Huskies. Chandler Harnish only threw for 81 yards, but the Huskies did run for nearly 300.
 

NO - not more discussions on Shortell!!! Didn't he split time at QB at JAX State? Sounds like he did the right thing leaving the B1G. Not comparable to Nelson, IMO.
 

There are so many transfer quarterbacks this year. IU, Alabama, etc. Any chance we pull one of them in?
 



BreakTheGopherCurse said:
This may sound really wacky, but don't guys like Philip Nelson dream big? Maybe he dreams of getting a shot in the NFL and wants to find a situation where he thinks he can better develop and showcase his talents for the NFL. While he doesn't appear to be anywhere near NFL ability, I'll bet he wants to do everything in his power to see if he can make it to the NFL. Isn't that what a lot of top athletes dream about?
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He may dream it, but he has no chance at the NFL. Size, mechanics, ability are all lacking. No chance.
 

Nelson simply doesnt throw a good ball. He would be a good fit at Mankato State or maybe NDSU.

It is very difficult to scout skilled players from high small schools. How a quarterback performs against
small rural schools in Minnesota is very hard to judge.
 

BleedGopher said:
In a statement, Philip Nelson said, "I want to thank Coach Kill for the opportunity to play football at the University of Minnesota. I have the uttermost respect for Coach Kill and what he's done for this program. I also want to reach out to to all the great Minnesota fans that supported the football program and say thank you. Your effort makes a difference.
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What the heck is uttermost? Clearly he wasn't an English major.
 


huckx008 said:
This is a tough blow. The circumstances are unfortunate for both Philip Nelson and the Gopher program. Nelson seemed to have the physical tools and smarts to play the position, but never gained the confidence. Unfortunately, Philip was thrown into a tough situation and faced many hurdles from the start: a) having to start in a bad offense as a true freshman ; b) not being able to attend quarterback camps after his freshman season; c) losing his best receiver midseason; d) three primary targets being freshman e) being injured entering the Big Ten season; f) having a floundering offense again this season. The bottom line is that throughout his development he was never able to develop confidence or rhythm, for whatever reason. A fresh start is what he needs and I don't blame him - just tough to be on the other side.
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This is such a sh&&&ty attitude. Through all that adversity, we won 8 games. This generation of entitled brats is overwhelming. [/old guy rant]
 



skauma said:
I really don't get it at all. Nelson committed to the U of M, presumably knowing what kind of offense Kill runs...Nelson was given the job of starting QB midway through his freshman season...In his sophomore season, he retained the job of QB1...I just don't get it. Even with Leidner potentially stepping up, Kill has given this Nelson kid so much confidence. Is he really so scared of a little competition? That is what it seems like to me. And his statement about going to a more pass oriented team to fit his strengths seems a little off to me. Nelson can run the ball from the QB position, while in the meantime, is a mediocre passer. It is the element of running that adds to his potential of being a quality D1 QB.

I always thought one of Leidner or Nelson would transfer, but I thought it would be Leidner who would be the one transferring, seeing as how Nelson was given so much playing time.
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Thats why I take what his dad said with a rather large grain of salt. This is all about not wanting to compete for the starting position. If he walks into anyones office and says I want to throw the ball more, whats the response going to be? Lets look at the tape.... Not pretty.
 

My old-timer dad emailed me this morning with this beauty:

What’s with Phillip Nelson, leaving the U of M? He says he wants to go to a school that passes, maybe he should learn how to pass.
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Sparlimb said:
Texas Tech win a bunch of games with a walkon true freshman qb. It can be done. Yeah it sticks to lose the experience, but it ìs not like he was Johnny Football.
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That walkon freshman is transferring from Texas Tech to Oklahoma and he was miffed about not getting playing time in the Bowl. Texas Tech beat nearly nobody during their 7-0 start and dropped their next 5 games by big margins to the better teams in the Big 12. Texas Tech has two QB's transferring, Mayfield and Michael Brewer. It happens a lot and I expect JK and his staff to handle this well and continue to build, it's a bit of a setback, but one that will be overcome.
 

gregbrady said:
That walkon freshman is transferring from Texas Tech to Oklahoma and he was miffed about not getting playing time in the Bowl. Texas Tech beat nearly nobody during their 7-0 start and dropped their next 5 games by big margins to the better teams in the Big 12. Texas Tech has two QB's transferring, Mayfield and Michael Brewer. It happens a lot and I expect JK and his staff to handle this well and continue to build, it's a bit of a setback, but one that will be overcome.
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In the games that Mayfield played, TT was 5-3, and 3 of those were against non-con patsies. In Big 12 play, it was 2-3. Not sure how that translates into a "bunch" of games.
 

BarnBoy said:
This is such a sh&&&ty attitude. Through all that adversity, we won 8 games. This generation of entitled brats is overwhelming. [/old guy rant]
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No Kidding... was thinking the same thing when Shortell left. How the hell does one justify leaving a program after they even sniffed the field as an underclassman; especially the QB position.

Then again this is the generation of the "helicopter" parent that even attend their kids interviews with them... and yes they do go into the interview too.
 

Dr.Don said:
Transfer within the B1G would cost him a year of eligibility, so no way.
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Nelson hasn't used a redshirt year yet since he played as a true freshman so I wouldn't think it's a stretch for him to go to another B1G school and sit out a year but I doubt Wisconsin would be on the list as much as they run the ball there.
 

CentralGopher said:
Nelson hasn't used a redshirt year yet since he played as a true freshman so I wouldn't think it's a stretch for him to go to another B1G school and sit out a year but I doubt Wisconsin would be on the list as much as they run the ball there.
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I think it would still cost him a year of eligibility..... I think the rule is different.
 

This kind of sucks but o well. Hopefully Leidner works on his ball security and is great next year.
 


CentralGopher said:
Nelson hasn't used a redshirt year yet since he played as a true freshman so I wouldn't think it's a stretch for him to go to another B1G school and sit out a year but I doubt Wisconsin would be on the list as much as they run the ball there.
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Winasota Gopher said:
I think it would still cost him a year of eligibility..... I think the rule is different.
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Pretty sure the eligibility rules are the same. Couldn't be on scholarship at another Big Ten school though.
 

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