5 Overrated 5 Underrated Recruits from Last 10 Years

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Iceland12

Iceland12

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4. Greg Eslinger, C, Minnesota -- Eslinger was a two-star recruit out of Bismarck, N.D., in 2002. At just 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, few thought he had the ability to be productive in college. But Minnesota took a chance on him and he ended up a two-time All-American and winner of both the Outland and Rimington trophies as a 2005 senior.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...nd-underrated-recruits-from-the-past-10-years
 

I remember seeing Eslinger's player head shot as a freshman and he looked like he was 14 years old. He sure didn't play like it though!

The Willie Williams one on the list is just sad. Attended five different schools and has since been arrested 17 times. What a loser!
 


Minnesota at the time was probably one of the few places Eslinger could have gone and had the success he did. We ran the perfect system for an undersized very athletic center. He could pull and essentially become a full back on a lot of running plays and he fit the Mason scheme perfectly. Eslinger was an awesome college player unfortunately he just didn't have the size to make it at the next level.

That was a great 4 year stretch with Eslinger and Setterstrom anchoring the O-Line every single game.
 

Great find Iceland12! Mason and Spaeth both re-tweeted GopherHole's tweet about this link.

I always thought Eslinger would be a great coach to bring up the ranks at the U after his pro career didn't take off. Last update I saw of him included a picture and he has dramatically slimmed down and I think he's competing in tri-atholon's now. I can't imagine many Outland Trophy winners can do that!

Go Gophers!!
 


BleedGopher said:
Great find Iceland12! Mason and Spaeth both re-tweeted GopherHole's tweet about this link.

I always thought Eslinger would be a great coach to bring up the ranks at the U after his pro career didn't take off. Last update I saw of him included a picture and he has dramatically slimmed down and I think he's competing in tri-atholon's now. I can't imagine many Outland Trophy winners can do that!

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

From the Strib - September 20, 2012

"Eslinger was one of the most competitive athletes I've ever covered and he's found an outlet for that post-football. He's lost about 70 pounds (he's down to 230) and competes in marathons and mini-triathlons. He's considering competing in a half triathlon next year."
 

You cannot find anyone more underrated, heck he was given a last minute offer, he was, is The Flying Dutchman. Wille Van DeSteeg
 





Eslinger was one of those rare guys that it didn't make sense that he was as good as he was. As someone else on this thread pointed out, he looked 14 years old and way under 250 lbs as a FR. But he was just a tough, tenacious football player and one of the best Gophers of al time. It's too bad he didn't have more of a pro career but it's almost a testament to how incredible he was in college. He wasn't great in college because of phenomenol physical attributes, he just really was a hard worker, real fast for a C, and he had to earn every bit of success he had in college.
 

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