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Third Year of Watching Spring Practices

Each year I have seen significant improvement in the team and how it goes about its business during spring practice. Again this year, less mistakes and yelling and more teaching and learning.

When we attend these practices, one of the rules we need to abide to is not to talk about specific players but I do have these general observations: There is lot more competition taking place than the previous two years. It is especially fun to watch the offensive linemen compete this year. There is a lot battles going on there. It is also clear that the offense they are now running is going to be much closer to what they did at Northern Illinois. I think a lot of people are going to be surprised by the improvement in the offense this fall. Lastly, just an observation about an exciting player, Jamel Harbison has VERY good hands.
 


STrib blog: Crawford-Tufts plans to stick with football -- and track

“I’m going to do the best I can to make both sports work because I love both sports, and I think I can be beneficial on both sides,” Crawford-Tufts said after Tuesday’s spring football practice.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/202330261.html

Go Gophers!!
 

Gopher Central Spring Football Blog

Click on the link below to also hear audios from Coach Kill and Jamel Harbison. You need to scroll down to find them.

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/spring-football-central.html

“Spring” has seemed like anything but its name so far in Minnesota. Days after snow and wind delayed a Gopher home baseball game, the weather has continued to push back the Minnesota football team’s move to outdoor practice. The Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex has served as home base for all the practices so far this spring.
By this point in 2012, the Gophers were able to work outside. Sophomore quarterback Philip Nelson, who participated in last year’s practices as an early enrollee, knows there is nothing he can do to change the weather, but looks forward to more seasonal temperatures.

“We want to be able to enjoy the outdoors and get over to our home stadium,” he said.

Junior wide receiver Isaac Fruechte does not mind being indoors for now because it keeps him out of the cold. But playing inside four walls and a roof does not have the same feel as the open environment where the Gophers will play their games.
“I’m pretty excited about getting outside,” Fruechte said. “Minnesota weather is beautiful. I’d love to get out there and get playing with the wind and everything, all the elements.”

The Gophers originally intended to practice at TCF Bank Stadium last Saturday, but rain and cold forced them to stay indoors. Today’s practice was the seventh of the spring.

“I think sometimes it gets to be a little bit of a grind with it being so hot, but otherwise I think it’s gone really well,” Fruechte said. “We’re playing well and the coaches seem pretty happy.”

The Gophers might welcome a change of scenery, but they know that a football field is a football field, no matter the location. The main goal is to improve as much as possible during the final eight spring practice sessions.

“It’s limited space in here, obviously, but at the same time, there’s no excuse for not getting our work done,” Nelson said. “Coach Kill makes sure of it, and we’re on the right track.”

Weather permitting, the Gophers may get outside by the end of this week. They hope to practice at TCF Bank Stadium at 7 p.m. on Friday night.
 

Killjoy said:
Each year I have seen significant improvement in the team and how it goes about its business during spring practice. Again this year, less mistakes and yelling and more teaching and learning.

When we attend these practices, one of the rules we need to abide to is not to talk about specific players but I do have these general observations: There is lot more competition taking place than the previous two years. It is especially fun to watch the offensive linemen compete this year. There is a lot battles going on there. It is also clear that the offense they are now running is going to be much closer to what they did at Northern Illinois. I think a lot of people are going to be surprised by the improvement in the offense this fall. Lastly, just an observation about an exciting player, Jamel Harbison has VERY good hands.
Click to expand...

+1 The people who say they don't believe coach Kill can take our program to the top of the B1G haven't seen the man in action. The practices this spring are the best I've seen in years and the improvements of guys' individually has come so far since this fall. I'm really encouraged for this coming season.
 



HopherGole said:
+1 The people who say they don't believe coach Kill can take our program to the top of the B1G haven't seen the man in action. The practices this spring are the best I've seen in years and the improvements of guys' individually has come so far since this fall. I'm really encouraged for this coming season.
Click to expand...

Just curious, but how many other big ten coaches practices have you watched, or to use your terminology, seen in action?
 

Thanks for the INFO i am starting to get fired up!! I can't wait to see how much better these guys have gotten. Its always a big year from 1st year players to 2nd year players.
 

GopherGod said:
Just curious, but how many other big ten coaches practices have you watched, or to use your terminology, seen in action?
Click to expand...

I meant to compare these spring practices to past Gopher practices I've been to. The tempo, enthusiasm, competition, and work ethic is SO much better than it has been. But I have been to Wisconsin and Nebraska spring practice as well.
 



Sid Hartman: Gophers football makes progress despite weather

“[The weather] hasn’t been real cooperative but it hasn’t deterred what we’re trying to get done, we’ve just stayed indoors,” Kill said. “We’ve been able to get everything we needed to get done. I think the weather is pretty much like that everywhere.

“We had Butch Jones in from the University of Tennessee at our state high school clinic, and they’ve only gotten out a couple of times this spring. So I don’t think we’re the only ones dealing with a weather situation.

“I think the whole group has improved themselves. They’re working better together. We still have a lot of work to do, but I see a lot of good things out of the young people.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/202444311.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

Go Gophers!!
 

GopherGod said:
Just curious, but how many other big ten coaches practices have you watched, or to use your terminology, seen in action?
Click to expand...

Was he comparing this practice to others in the BIG, or other Gopher practices he's attended in the past? Snarky d-bag trolls need better reading comprehension.....
 


Joe Christensen's Blog from Eigth Day of Spring Practice

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/blogs/Gridiron_Gold.html

With several recruits coming to campus, the Gophers had pegged Spring Practice No. 9 for TCF Bank Stadium, hoping to enjoy some Friday Night Lights. The weather will keep them inside the Bierman facility -- for the ninth consecutive practice -- but it’ll still be a chance to scrimmage in full pads with full contact.

Thursday’s session was lighter, with just helmets, jerseys and shorts. The coaches wanted the players to save their energy the way they would the day before a regular season game.

“We’ve been hit by the flu bug pretty bad,” Coach Jerry Kill said. “We had seven or eight players that didn’t participate today. ... I’ve told them that, 'Hey, this is like the third game in the Big Ten season, and this is where we’ve struggled. We’ve gotta be able to overcome that.’ So I’ve challenged them like that, ‘[Friday] night, hey you’ve gotta get over that.’”

The Gophers had several chances to play outside last spring, but with six practices left before the April 27 spring game, it’s uncertain how many times they’ll get outside this year. Kill said the team has still been able to accomplish everything it's needed to indoors.

“The thing you can control is getting your players better,” Kill said. “You’ve gotta understand where I’ve been. We’d be shoveling snow at the two previous places [Southern Illinois and Northern Illinois], and we’d be practicing anyway, outside. We have a facility to work in, so we get our work in.

“You don’t complain about what you don’t have. You use what you have and get your kids better, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

All of the Gophers spring practices are open to the public. Last Saturday, the Gophers had people ringing the field, with numerous high school coaches in town for the state coaches clinic.

"It was a Texas Tech-type situation," Kill said. "Our kids -- we had to make sure we settled some of them down. It was an intense practice. This place was packed, and the kids got after each other, really played physical, and when you left, you said, "Hmmm, this is pretty good.' And we got out of it pretty healthy."
 



Spring Football Central 4-11-13

Click on link to hear audio sections from coach Kill and Rashede Hageman at the bottom.

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/spring-football-central.html

What a difference a year makes.

At this time last year, quarterback Philip Nelson was worried about learning the cadence in his first spring practice. Receivers Derrick Engel and Isaac Fruechte last played college football games for Winona State and Rochester Community and Technical College, respectively. Jamel Harbison and KJ Maye were still in high school. Devin Crawford-Tufts was coming off a true freshman season with the Gophers where he caught eight passes for 156 yards.

After a crash-course in chemistry last year, everyone involved looks for an improved passing game for the Gophers this fall.

“Last year we were all kind of getting the feel for one another,” said Nelson. “This year I can definitely feel the improvement. It is a process.”

“It is more comfortable knowing that I am going to be playing receiver,” said Maye, who was a quarterback in high school and began his collegiate career as a running back. “I know the offense better now and have my coach and teammates helping me. I was kind of nervous last year.”

“I feel more comfortable right now in the offense,” said Fruechte.
“Last year I kind of figured everything out,” said Crawford-Tufts. “Now I know what to expect when I get into the game. We are definitely building a relationship and a bond with one another.”

Fruechte (19 catches) and Engel (375 yards) are the leading returning receivers this year.

“They got length and they both can run,” said head coach Jerry Kill.

“Derrick is kind of the smaller slot guy, but can really run,” said Fruechte. “I am a little bit bigger and like to think that I can run too. I think we compliment each other really well. He can make some moves on people on the inside and I think I have a good shot on the outside.”

Add in the elusiveness of Maye, the speed of Crawford-Tufts and the efficiency of a now-healthy Harbison and the Gophers should be able to spread the ball around this year.

“All our guys have improved,” said Kill. “Fruechte has had a good camp. Crawford-Tufts and Engel have played well. KJ Maye has really excelled. You throw Jamel in there and it will be a good thing. Everyone is a year older. I think that is the whole thing with the entire group, everyone is a year older.”

Harbison was a starter as a true freshman in the season-opening game at UNLV last year, but saw his season quickly end as he suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Rebels. The redshirt freshman began spring practice wearing a green jersey, which means he could participate in limited contact. However, in the last two practices, Harbison has been in a white jersey, meaning there are no restrictions on him.

“The training staff has been doing a great job with me,” said Harbison, who said he researched injuries suffered by NFL players Adrian Peterson and LeSean McCoy and NFL legend Jerry Rice while he was out. “I feel like I am progressing every practice and think I will be at the top of my game next season. The injury was my first major injury and that was the first time I was without football. It was difficult, but my teammates and family were there for me. The rehab was hard, but having that year off helped me learn the playbook better. Rehab was practice for me, so I came in with the mindset to get better every day.”

His perseverance to return to form has not gone unnoticed.

“He came in last year and was an unbelievable talent,” said Nelson of Harbison. “He had the injury, but has handled it great. He is back out here and does not look hesitant at all. He is running great routes and does not even look like he had an injury.
 

What time is practice tonight? It was supposed to be at 7 when it was at TCF. Hoping to attend.
 


FSN: Crawford-Tufts balances football, track

"It was actually really exciting to be able to finally run track again," said Crawford-Tufts, a two-time state champion sprinter at Edina. "I kind of missed it since high school. It's a different feeling when you're in the blocks. I'm glad that coach (Jerry) Kill allowed me to go out there and run some track, too."

Approaching his football coach to ask about crossing over to another sport in the offseason wasn't easy, Crawford-Tufts admitted, but Kill was more than happy to let his wide receiver swap his football cleats for track spikes.

"I think he understands that (football comes first)," Kill said. "We've had good understanding with flexibility. He ran track, now he's got football. The big thing, his deal is staying healthy. He's done a great job with the track coach and (strength coach Eric Klein) on that part of it. You can't overtrain somebody."

http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/colle...ces-football-track?blockID=890603&feedID=3590

Go Gophers!!
 

Nate Sandell

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...sive_depth_chart_starting_to_take_shape041213

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Gophers are eight practices into spring ball, though the weather outside has disagreed with what season it is.

Temperatures in the 30s and 40s, plus an mid-April snowstorm, have kept the Gophers inside all spring and may keep them indoors until their spring game April 27 at TCF Bank Stadium.

The indoor setting hasn't hindered the team's progression in the first three weeks, but it has made the Gophers slightly more selective in when they schedule contact scrimmages.

While coach Jerry Kill would prefer to be outside, he has remained notably upbeat since the start of the 15-practice slate about the differences he has sensed between this year and his previous two seasons with the program.

"We haven't had to sit out here and scream and yell to get somebody to move," Kill said after practice Thursday. "They're more mature, because they're all older ... We haven't had a setback."

A scrimmage scheduled during practice Friday evening will serve as the basis for determining a preliminary defensive depth chart scheduled to be rolled out next week.

Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys had targeted having the two-deep put together earlier, but the team's recent bout with the flu bug, which has sidelined multiple players, partially led to postponing the first lineup draft.

With the season still five months away, it's far too early to get a firm grasp on how exactly the defense will look when the Gophers open the 2013 season on August 29 against UNLV.

But practices so far have given an indication as to what the initial depth chart could look like next Tuesday.

The secondary appears to be the most straightforward position group in terms of sorting out the competition.

Derrick Wells was moved from safety to cornerback to be a reliable stabilizer on the edge. The spot opposite to Wells is more open to debate. With senior Jeremy Baltazar having been slowed by sickness, Eric Murray, who played in all 13 games as a freshman is projected to slip into the first team spot ahead of senior Martez Shabazz and junior Briean Boddy.

Cedric Thompson and Brock Vereen, both of whom were starters last season, are currently at the front of the group at safety. Sophomores Antonio Johnson and Damarius Travis, along with junior Grayson Levine, have also been rotating in and out this spring.

Senior outside linebacker Aaron Hill is about as close to a sure bet as the Gophers currently have at linebacker. Hill started 11 games in 2012 and was third on the team in tackles (74).

On the other side of Hill is likely going to be either redshirt junior Lamonte Edwards or senior James Manuel. Both are entering their second full year at linebacker.

"Lamonte Edwards has had a great spring," Kill said. "His athletic ability and speed is important. He's getting the repetitions. He's not thinking as much."

In one of the Gophers' key position battles, redshirt freshman Jack Lynn and junior college transfer Damien Wilson have been swapping reps in a bid for the starting middle linebacker role. Lynn, who has received a steady dose of recognition from the coaching staff this spring, has missed practice time recently as he is recovering from the flu. As a result, Claeys said he expects Wilson to handle first team duties for the time being.

Star defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman, a hulking 6-foot-6, 311-pound 2012 Big Ten Honorable Mention recipient, continues to be the anchor on a defensive line that is beginning to form a needed layer of depth.

"If Ra'Shede prepares and works hard every week nobody is going to beat him," Claeys said. "We don't have anyone able to beat him out."

Determining who will start at tackle next to Hageman is still in question. Last year's starter Cameron Botticelli is the obvious frontrunner and has been alongside Hageman for most of the spring.

Sophomore Scott Ekpe, a steadily developing second-year tackle, is in direct competition with Botticelli. Redshirt freshman Yoshoub Timms is quietly putting together a noteworthy spring at his spot in the line's interior

"As far as an inside tackle for a pass rusher, (Timms is) the best one we've got," Claeys said. "In nickel situations he's going to have a place, because he's learning to play the run better. He's kind of like where Ra'Shede was two years ago. He does alright against the pass, but has to learn to play the run better."

Roland Johnson will also be a part of the mix at tackle when he finishes his recovery from an ACL tear that derailed his promising junior season. Kill has projected that Johnson will cleared to practice by the time the Gophers open training camp in August.

The bulk of reps at defensive end with the perceived "first team" have gone to redshirt sophomore Theiren Cockran and junior Michael Amaefula. The rotation on the ends has also included sophomore Alex Keith and Ben Perry. All four played in at least 12 games last season.

"We said we needed to get better in the defensive line and we have and we are," Kill said.

Injury report

The offensive line was down to only 10 players on Thursday, with several guys at class, out sick or injured.

Offensive tackle Jonah Pirsig is still sidelined with swelling around his left kneecap. Pirsig, who has dealt with ongoing issues with his knee, was injured during practice last Saturday. The Gophers haven't determined how long the redshirt freshman will be out, but Kill has not sounded overly concerned.

"(Team trainers) are working on getting him back and going, but he's coming along," Kill said.

Pirsig joined center Zach Mottla (broken leg) and left tackle Ed Olson (ankle) has three offensive lineman currently in orange no-contact jerseys. Olson and Mottla won't practice this spring.

Now-eligible Ohio State transfer Brian Bobek, who is competing with redshirt sophomore Jon Christenson for top billing at center, missed his second consecutive practice due to illness. Caleb Bak, a starter in 11 games at right guard, was out sick as well.

Wide receiver Devon Wright has been shut down for the spring after undergoing shoulder surgery on Tuesday.

Fullback Tyler Hartman has been limited in practice with an undisclosed injury. Hartman was moved from the defensive line to fullback in the offseason.

Notes

• Kill has yet to meet new Gophers men's basketball coach Richard Pitino, though he has reached out to him by phone.

"But you know what? If I'm a new coach I'm worried about recruiting. I'm not worried about seeing the head football coach," Kill said with a laugh.

• Incoming freshman offensive lineman Alex Mayes, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound native of Van Alstyne, Texas, is expected to be at practice on Friday. He is accompanying his brother, Connor Mayes, on a recruiting visit to Minnesota.

After officially landing Alex in February, the Gophers are now going after the younger Mayes, who is also an offensive lineman. Connor Mayes is a three-star prospect, according to Rivals.com, and has offers from numerous schools, including the Gophers, Kansas State, Kansas, Colorado, Baylor and Connecticut.
 

Tyrone Carter was on the sidelines Friday and spent time chatting with the d backs. Lamonte Edwards really stood out in the scrimmage. He was hitting with authority and all over the field....as was Wilson. Leidner was impressive. Shede made a tackle with dynamic authority. The defense was really pumped up. Mayes made a sensational catch. Seems the coach is working the guys harder than ever and they are very spirited. I expect big things this fall.
 

My Scrimmage Notes:

First off its great to see the team in person and man I am glad we went and would recommend it to anyone who hasn’t been to one before. Our main take away as we left was just that we all were really excited about where this team is headed and its impossible not to notice the overall improvement team-wide from the past 2 seasons.

Non football thoughts first:

1. Lots and lots of people there tonight.

2. I hope the music was a prank or joke because it was god awful. My humps and gaga on repeat to name a few.

3. Holy crap do we need to upgrade the practice field/Bierman there was water leaking everywhere, the roof and beams look like they are going to crumble and it was real hot and humid in there.

4. Tables of Raising Cane’s for the team in the hallway after makes you wonder if Coach Klein is out of town.

5. There was a full ref crew on hand and I think the head of officiating for the B1G as well but that’s just a guess from us eavesdropping on conversations so that could be totally wrong. A funny moment happened when a ref threw a flag for defensive pass interference and the refs couldn’t figure out where to place the ball and Coach Kill yelled at them to get going because “he has a practice to run”. They jogged back to the sidelines and along with the guys working the chain gang right in front of us said: “ He actually expects us to work? He knows this is a spring scrimmage right?”

6. 5 or so guys in Lopher Jerseys tonight. More than I’d like.

I’ll try not to post too much of what has been said before, but Burnsy has been spot on when he says the WR core is the biggest question mark as a group but we all agreed that QB is still the position that worries us the most.

Going into tonight I thought Nelson would be the consistent guy and Leidner the one looking good one play and then just as bad the next but it was the other way around tonight. Nelson missed badly on multiple throws while Leidner was all around impressive throwing a nice ball and making great decisions complimented by his much improved speed out of the backfield. However, it was one scrimmage and I firmly believe Nelson is still the right guy to lead us going forward and think he is a stud of a QB. Some of the mistakes came from there once again being a lot of bad snaps, questionable wr play, and Rashede just manhandling our interior line playing into his performance tonight. Didn’t go to his TE’s as much as I thought he would. Streveler played one series and got pulled after multiple mistakes, he is an athlete though and showed his speed during a Kick off return (him n Foreman were the mock returners for KO work) who just needs to continue to learn the system.

RB’s- David Cobb had himself a night with many long runs and impressive totes of the rock as the guy next to us said after one of Cobbs’ runs. Great vision and cuts, more lean back than Kirkwood and Williams. Kirkwood didn’t get much run tonight as the staff decided to rest him. While I would have liked to see him get some reps, his counterpart Rodrick Williams Jr. as I expected more than made up for it. He just has that ‘it’ factor and runs with a ‘nasty’ attitude where he brings the contact to you not the other way around. He again had a couple truck sticks and long runs where if it was a back with break away speed (Ahem Berkley Edwards) they would have been sure fire touchdowns. I love the physical style of our RB stable and once Edwards is in the fold we will have a complete group. We will Pound the rock with Kirkwood and Williams Jr. and then finesse you with Cobb and hit the home run with Edwards if all goes to plan and who knows maybe Banham/Gillum will have guest appearances in the Gopher run game.

TE-Plesk definitely looks better physically and looks like he lost some of his “baby fat” others on this board say he had last year. A lot of double TE sets and pre snap motion during the scrimmage from them. Maxx, Plesk, and Goodger (didn’t notice him much) played with the 1’s and show a lot of potential as group and all have separate strengths as players.

WR’s-We look set at the slots with two potential studs in Maye and Harbison (who was rocking the Ray Lewis-esque super short jersey tonight). Maye had some video game jukes tonight, a great circus catch, and has an impressive burst while Harbison looked good on multiple jet sweeps and seemed above average blocking wise and 100% looks the part. Didn’t see enough balls thrown their way tonight but I am more than comfortable with them 1 and 2 on the slot depth chart.

The outside guys couldn’t get separation and had a couple drops, McDonald needs to get back on the team and be the physical, big go-to WR that is obviously missing from our offense. If not expect some significant PT from the incoming WR recruits if they can get open down field.

O-Line- Epping is a monster is my only real note. Christiansen got almost all of the #1 reps at center. Lauer is huge and was impressed by how low he plays.

The Defense played really well tonight and if Rashede isn’t pre-season all B1G I would be surprised, he just dominates in every facet of the game.

The LB play was one of the more surprising things tonight as Manual, Hill, Edwards, and Wilson were all impressive and had an impact with many nice plays coming from the LBs all night which is hopefully a sign of things to come as they all have enormous amounts of potential. Lynn specifically is huge and looks like he could add even more weight. The LB competition will be great to watch the rest of camp.

Our secondary is flat out huge and has lots of depth. Travis or Thompson had a monster hit in the goaline portion that was the highlight play for the defense tonight IMO and had Kill screaming praises and players dancing. Murray looks like he could still add weight which is crazy, Shabazz was making plays in both pass defense and run support, and Boddy doesn’t wear gloves and we all know if you don’t wear gloves you are a player.

The D-line play was way above my expectations. Keith looks like he could be counted on to get to the QB even with how ‘short’ he is as he beat the OT around the corner multiple times. Amuefula, Perry, and TC all made nice plays as well but we still look a little lacking size-wise in the DE spots. Botticellici, S.Ekype and Legania also played well but Johnson coming back healthy looks very important because of the lack of DT depth/experience. Hino just looked lost out there and in need a of red-shirt but once again it was one night.

Players that unexpectedly stood out tonight:

Alex Bisch at TE, I thought he was Maxx for a while. Great size and movement, a real big homer would say he looks like Kyle Rudolph but he only got PT with the 2’s but was impressive.

Cole Banham got a lot of PT with the 1s at RB in no huddle and had multiple long runs tonight and showed some speed and good vision.

Jephte Matilus was the guy making some real plays tonight, his aggressiveness was refreshing.

Orseske is the world’s best punter in practice and his inability to translate it to games is just frustrating and makes no sense. Hawthorne was the best on KO’s tonight.

Logan Hutton also made some nice grabs tonight and has good size at the outside WR spot.

And as previously noted Boddy had himself a night in coverage, solid tackling, and some very nice blitzes from the CB spot that caused havoc in the backfield.

Overall, I’ve always believed that running the ball behind a dominating O-line and playing good defense were the way the Gophers would get W’s in the B1G and we look much improved in those 2 areas of the game which drives my optimism for the future of Gopher Football. We need to see improvement in other areas but I really enjoyed the intensity and emotion the team showed during the scrimmage and the guys looked they were having fun and are close as a team.
 

Thank for a good report, good job Curse.

BTW. any specific recruits in attendance?
 

wow curseislifted, fantastic report!! thanks a ton for putting the notes together!!
 



PiPress: Gophers football: QB Mitch Leidner stands out in scrimmage

"But he's a great example of a guy who, if you just looked at the stopwatch, you would not think he's a very good runner," Limegrover said. "Mitch is that rare case when he puts the pads on he maintains if not gets a little (faster). I can't explain it. He knew to be able to run our offense he had to be able to run and be more athletic. I give him credit because he really worked on it."

http://www.twincities.com/gophers/c...rce=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Go Gophers!!
 


Curseislifted

Thanks for your fantastic report! I couldn't make it last night but I have also noticed many of the same things in earlier practices that you pointed out. We are an impatient group of fans but I take great solace in watching the measurable improvements we are seeing now. To me part of the fun is enjoying and appreciating the process. Eventually I am confident that this will translate into wins but for now I am satisfied and pretty pumped from what I've been seeing. Thanks again.
 

Dr.Don said:
Thank for a good report, good job Curse.

BTW. any specific recruits in attendance?
Click to expand...

Would have to echo, it was a great night to watch some football! I was tracking recruits last night. The following were 2013 commitments in attendance and recruits from the Class of 2014, 2015, and 2016(!) that I was able to identify. As I only track the Minnesota recruits, I added some additional information regarding position, height/weight, and school

2013 Commitments
Alex Mayes
Chris Wipson
Nick Hart
Matt Leidner

2014 Recruits
Connor Mayes
Gaelin Elmore
JC Hassenauer, C, 6'2 280, East Ridge
Austin Noble, OL, 6'4 260, Cannon Falls - Recently picked up a D1 offer from SDSU.
George Behr, TE, 6'5 235, East Ridge
Eji Ejiya, RB/LB, 6'2 185, Spring Lake Park
Josh Parks, RB/DB, 5'10 185, Chisago Lakes
Blake Banham, Athlete, 5'7 179, Cretin-Derham Hall
Cody Scherff, WR, 6'6 205, Albert Lea
Brandon Lingen, TE/DE, 6'5 220, Wayzata
Austin Roberts, LB, 6'3 230, Rice Lake WI

Class of 2015
Josh Corcoran, LB, 6'3 225, Lakeville South
Alex Hart, LB, 6'2 205, Prior Lake

Class of 2016
Seth Green, QB, 6'2/6'3 175, East Ridge
Brison White, RB, 5'10 195, Cretin-Derham Hall
Jojo Garcia, OL, 6'2 265, Cretin-Derham Hall
 

How improved is our d line? Its tough to root for a team that gets run over, and cant get sacks.
 

I would like to second what CurseisLifted said about the running backs. The good news is they all had some nice runs - the bad news is they all had some nice runs. This means, in my mind, that

All our running backs are good. - Possible. Probable??

Our defense isn't very good at stopping the run - Probable, remember the Iowa and Northwestern games in particular. Games we would have won if we could have stopped the run

Our offensive line has gotten much better. - Probable, these guys are huge - this is the biggest O line I can remember.. it is hard to tell in spring practice but I THINK they are better than last year.

Also to add to what Curse wrote - Hutton was making some nices plays during the drills as well as the scrimmage. Also looking good during the drills was Victor Keise. I can't remember if he made any plays during the scrimmage or not. This was my 4th time at practice and I have noticed Hutton and Keise every time. Keise disappeared last year so let's hope he is back.
 

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