BleedGopher
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per LindysSports:
Year 2 of the P.J. Fleck era kicks off Thursday against New Mexico State at TCF Bank Stadium. Despite several new faces in the starting lineup, expectations for the Gophers, mostly due to Fleck’s attention-grabbing antics, are once again high.
The Gophers enter the season with numerous question marks, most notably at quarterback.
True freshman Zack Annexstad won the starting job, just another example of Fleck going against the grain in attempting to develop a consistent winner at Minnesota. Annexstad, a three-star recruit out of IMG Academy in Florida, is a pro-style quarterback who managed to beat out redshirt freshman Tanner Morgan for the job.
The 6-foot-3, 199-pounder is believed to be the only true freshman walk-on to start an opener for a Power 5 school since Baker Mayfield started for Texas Tech in 2013.
Unlike the up-and-down quarterback battles last season, Annexstad might bring some stability despite his youth. His strong arm, size and background have all the makings of a potential four-year starter. Plus, the Gophers have a soft schedule, with their first games at home.
“Listen, there is a process to this whole thing,” Fleck said. “I hear everybody. I get everybody’s e-mails. I understand 51 years of not winning a championship. I get all of that. But that process and that position is starting to take shape.
“Why do I say it’s starting? Because there will always be competition. We’re bringing in a few quarterbacks next year and there’s going to be more competition. … My job is to out-recruit everybody on this football team every year. Our players’ job is to keep their job.”
http://www.lindyssports.com/college...-true-freshman-qb-in-minnesota-opener/476300/
Go Gophers!!
Year 2 of the P.J. Fleck era kicks off Thursday against New Mexico State at TCF Bank Stadium. Despite several new faces in the starting lineup, expectations for the Gophers, mostly due to Fleck’s attention-grabbing antics, are once again high.
The Gophers enter the season with numerous question marks, most notably at quarterback.
True freshman Zack Annexstad won the starting job, just another example of Fleck going against the grain in attempting to develop a consistent winner at Minnesota. Annexstad, a three-star recruit out of IMG Academy in Florida, is a pro-style quarterback who managed to beat out redshirt freshman Tanner Morgan for the job.
The 6-foot-3, 199-pounder is believed to be the only true freshman walk-on to start an opener for a Power 5 school since Baker Mayfield started for Texas Tech in 2013.
Unlike the up-and-down quarterback battles last season, Annexstad might bring some stability despite his youth. His strong arm, size and background have all the makings of a potential four-year starter. Plus, the Gophers have a soft schedule, with their first games at home.
“Listen, there is a process to this whole thing,” Fleck said. “I hear everybody. I get everybody’s e-mails. I understand 51 years of not winning a championship. I get all of that. But that process and that position is starting to take shape.
“Why do I say it’s starting? Because there will always be competition. We’re bringing in a few quarterbacks next year and there’s going to be more competition. … My job is to out-recruit everybody on this football team every year. Our players’ job is to keep their job.”
http://www.lindyssports.com/college...-true-freshman-qb-in-minnesota-opener/476300/
Go Gophers!!