Regarding Nolan Edmonds, I have zero idea if he was pushed out, or if he opted out.
But in either case, he was going into this season at best 5th on the depth chart, with two newly recruited freshman RB's coming in who now have one more year of eligibility.
He was likely going to get few carries this year and burn another year of eligibility.
It makes sense for him to move.
Now whether PJ pushed him out or Nolan realized this situation on his own are two larger arguments, but in the end it doesn't matter much. It's the right move for Nolan to leave if he wants to play football. The only way this is bad is if he really wanted his degree from the Univ of Minnesota and he got his scholarship pulled.
But even in that case, if you want to be a top 25 program, you probably have to be willing to drop these kids for more talented players even though it contradicts much of what you sold the kid 2 years ago when you recruited him. But this isn't naive kids anymore. When you get recruited you need to determine what school gives you your best shot and sometimes kids make the wrong decisions for themselves.
PJ Fleck is indefatigable in making the Gophers more and more competitive by "out-recruiting" each position. That is the plus side.
The down side for some is that you are going to have kids that are going to be buried in the depth chart who may be super stars in HS and were highly recruited.
The college game is bigger, faster, and stronger than HS. The proof is in the pudding in the practice field and scrimmages. That is the real differentiator of the players by talent, maturity, work ethic, and attitude.
Some walk-ons are going to earn playing time and scholarships. Some highly recruited players may be busts.
Some may sustain injuries. Others are buried because they are surpassed talent-wise by kids who come from strong programs or who are gifted athletes who are hidden gems.
Transfers are inevitable.
Sometimes though patience is virtue. A good example is David Cobb. He was ready to transfer for lack of playing time. A chat by a few concerned folks and an attitude change earned him a starting role when Donnell Kirkwood got injured. Working hard and being ready paid dividends.
So, I wish Nolan Edmunds luck. It is not necessarily a bad thing to transfer if he wants playing time. There are Gophers who have transferred and have had successful careers with their new teams.
No matter how you look at it - you want the Gophers to climb to greater heights. As long as it is done with integrity and respect I have no problems with that.
