2014 National Signing Day: Meet the Gophers Defensive Class

[GopherHole Staff]

2014 National Signing Day: Meet the Gophers Defensive Class
By Chris Monter

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/346147?referrer_id=388419

Here are the defensive players slated to sign with Minnesota today, we'll update if there are changes:

The Minnesota Golden Gophers finished 8-5 this past season. Part of the team's improved record was due to a better-than-expected showing from the defense.

The Gophers finished fifth in the Big Ten in total defense, third in passing defense and eighth in rushing defense. They have received seven defense commitments and are hoping to land one or two more players on the defensive side of the field.

The following is a look at the incoming group of defensive recruits.

Cody Poock, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound freshman linebacker from Iowa Western Community College, is currently enrolled at Minnesota. He was named first team All-Midwest Football Conference as a freshman. Poock was full qualifier out of high school and will have three years of eligibility remaining. He picked the Gophers over TCU.

Here are links to previous stories to Cody Poock.

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/320699?referrer_id=388419

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/314672?referrer_id=388419

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/312089?referrer_id=388419

Steven Richardson, a 5-foot-11 285-pound defensive tackle from Chicago (IL) Mt. Carmel, helped lead the Caravan to their second straight Illinois state title as they defeated Lake Zurich 30-0.

The Caravan, who won Class 8A last season, have 12 titles overall, including 11 under coach Frank Lenti. The program has won state titles in Class 5A, 6A, 7A and 8A.

Mount Carmel (13-1) allowed only 96 points this season and gave up just three yards on the ground and eleven passing after halftime in the state title game.

Richardson committed to Minnesota in April. He is viewed as nose tackle-type who is a good runner stopper.

Here is a link to a previous story on Richardson.

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/276274?referrer_id=331171

Andrew Stelter, a 6-foot-4 senior defensive end from Owatonna (MN) High School, committed to Minnesota in July. Stelter was the lone non-senior named to the 2012 Associated Press All-State team and was a repeat selection this season.

Stelter led the Huskies to a 13-0 record as they won the Class 5A Prep Bowl beating Brainerd 24-0. They are dominant in the postseason, outscoring their five playoff opponents 174-27 with three shutouts. The Huskies had finished as runner-ups in 2012, losing in the 5A Prep Bowl title game to Totino-Grace 49-21.

Here is a link to several Gopher Hole stories on Stelter.

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/345049?referrer_id=331171

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/282992?referrer_id=388419

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/272404?referrer_id=388419

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/309776?referrer_id=388419

Julien Kafo, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive end from Mont-Tremblant (Quebec) Vanier, attended the Minnesota Gopher Friday Nights football camp, where he earned a scholarship offer. He committed to Minnesota in November.

Here is the link to previous stories on Kafo.

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/313065?referrer_id=388419

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/274189?referrer_id=388419

Everett Williams, a 6-foot-2, 222-pound outside linebacker from Mansfield (TX) Legacy, committed to Minnesota on his 18th birthday. Williams visited Minnesota for the San Jose State game. He picked the Golden Gophers over Navy, Louisiana-Monroe and New Mexico State.

Here is a link to previous stories on Williams.

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/295621?referrer_id=388419

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/276460?referrer_id=388419

Jonathan Celestin, 6-foot-1, 210-pound linebacker from Jonesboro (GA) Mundy's Mill, is a teammate of Gopher running back commit Rodney Smith. He is described as an under-the-radar recruit who could be a real sleeper. Celestin had 139 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries as he helped lead Mundy's Mill to an 8-5 mark, losing to Gainesville 42-28 in the third round of the Class AAAAA playoffs.

Gary Moore, a 6-foot-3, 276-pound defensive tackle from Mobile (AL) Murphy, was a Southern Mississippi commit who flipped to Minnesota earlier this week. He visited both schools in January and helped lead to the Panthers to a 6-5 mark, losing to eventual runner-up Auburn 51-14 in the first round of the playoffs.