All Things Spring Football Practice Thread - Articles, Links, Tweets, Analysis & More

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Great Plains Gopher said:
Curseislifted33, many thanks for the detailed report!
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I concur, thanks Curseislifted33. Did Leidner play at all against the first team defense? Or was he mainly playing against the second team?
 

mkAz said:
I concur, thanks Curseislifted33. Did Leidner play at all against the first team defense? Or was he mainly playing against the second team?
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Pretty sure he only played against the second string.
 

vames said:
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
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Mr. Vames, great report. How in hell do you know all these guys by sight???
 

vames said:
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
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I'm not 100% sure, but I believe Preston Woods from South St. Paul was there.
 



per Sid:

Leidner stands out

After watching Mitch Leidner running the scout team last season, Gophers football coaches were not surprised to watch the former Lakeville South quarterback put on a great performance running the offense in Friday night’s scrimmage, leading his team on two touchdown drives, making a couple of good runs and throwing a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Victor Keise.

Look for the 6-4, 230 pound Leidner, who still has four years of eligibility after redshirting last year, to compete for the starting job.

And leave it to coach Jerry Kill to do a lot more than coach the football team. Instead of giving players Saturday off after a scrimmage that ended late Friday, Kill had the entire squad put on two clinics for young kids. On Saturday morning, from 100 kids were on hand on campus. Then more than 500 children attended a youth clinic in the afternoon.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/202872751.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

Go Gophers!!
 

I call that "Building Pride" and "Pay It Forward". Good for Coach and all of the TEAM.
 

Halsey Hall said:
Mr. Vames, great report. How in hell do you know all these guys by sight???
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HH....As I am FB friends with most via Bronko Nagurski on Facebook, I know quite a few based on their photos. For those that I don't recognize, I become sideline stalker and look at their "Recruit ID" that is issued to them when they check in.

SSP OL/DL Preston Woods (6'3 290) was in attendance as well as Farmington K Reid Tauschenbaum.
 



vames said:
HH....As I am FB friends with most via Bronko Nagurski on Facebook, I know quite a few based on their photos. For those that I don't recognize, I become sideline stalker and look at their "Recruit ID" that is issued to them when they check in.

SSP OL/DL Preston Woods (6'3 290) was in attendance as well as Farmington K Reid Tauschenbaum.
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http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3twbml/
 

Not sure if this belongs here or not, but it was a fantastic day at the Gibson Nagurski complex today.

There was a free youth clinic today, and I signed up my two boys to participate. All the kids were broken up into 9 groups, and there were 9 stations that were being run by the players. The kids ran, kicked, ran routes, passed, tackled, etc.

The players were so great with all the kids that I had to stop coach Kill about 1/2 way through when I saw him in the hallway to tell him how impressed I was with the players, and how they were working with the kids. They really represented the "U" in a way that should make them, their parents and alumni proud. Aaron Hill is a natural coach, he was leading all the linebackers at their station, and was completely engaged with all the kids, and he was really firing them up. Jordan Hinojosa has so much enthusiasm I can hardly believe it, I can really see him becoming a fan favorite.

All the players hung around after Kill gave a short talk to the kids to offer pictures, autographs, or just chat.

Every participant also receive a lanyard that allows them and two guests to be on the field for the spring game. And they can also RSVP to receive a t-shirt at the game. I'm sure I could remember more, but it's been a long day, so I'm kind of shutting it down for the night.
 

vames said:
HH....As I am FB friends with most via Bronko Nagurski on Facebook, I know quite a few based on their photos. For those that I don't recognize, I become sideline stalker and look at their "Recruit ID" that is issued to them when they check in.

SSP OL/DL Preston Woods (6'3 290) was in attendance as well as Farmington K Reid Tauschenbaum.
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Good work!!! Thnx Vamsie
 




Joe Christensen's Blog from Ninth Day (Friday Night) of Spring Practice

Mitch Leidner completed nine of 11 passes with one touchdown and ran for another score Friday night at the Bierman indoor practice facility, highlighting the Gophers first scrimmage of the spring.
Leidner, a redshirt freshman, had an easier time moving the second-team offense down the field than sophomore Philip Nelson did moving the first team. Nelson eventually found his groove, completing five of nine passes, setting up two touchdowns and a field goal.

“What I liked about them both is they were composed,” Gophers quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski said. “You could tell they both had been there. They did some good things, missed a couple go routes and little things, but I saw a lot of leadership, driving the team.”

Kirkwood watches other running backs get tested

Donnell Kirkwood, who led the Gophers with 958 rushing yards last year, watched from the sideline, as the coaching staff gave a long look at their other running backs, especially David Cobb and Rodrick Williams.

Cobb drew six consecutive carries as the first-team offense went three-and-out on its first two possessions. He later broke a 40-yard touchdown run, only to have it called back with a penalty, and eventually scored on a two-yard TD plunge.

Williams had a fumble recovered by linebacker Damien Wilson but later had carries of 17 and 25 yards. James Gillum also had carries of 15 and 11 yards.

“We’ve got a pretty good idea of what Donnell’s going to do ... so it was a good opportunity to up the reps of all the other guys and start trying to cull that herd a little bit,” Gophers offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said.

Another adventurous night for Gophers centers

The Gophers needed three centers to get through last season, and Friday was more of the same.

Junior center Brian Bobek missed all three practices this week after catching a flu bug that’s been going around the team. That thrust third-string center Ernie Heifort into duty with the second team, and he drew Coach Jerry Kill’s wrath after some erratic snaps to Leidner.

Jon Christenson, who has been playing center with the first-team offense, suffered an ankle injury on the first drive but didn’t miss a series. He got the ankle taped and was right back on the field.

“Jon’s a great kid,” Limegrover said. “I mean you’re going to literally have to cut a limb off for him not to come back out on the field. That’s something we’re working on as a team is toughness -- not just physical toughness but mental toughness. We don’t want them to be stupid. But at the same time, 'Can I fight through this? Is it pain or is it an injury?'”

Etc.

* Third-string quarterback Chris Streveler played one series and got sacked twice by Alex Keith.

* Derrick Engel had at least three receptions, Isaac Fruechte had at least two receptions, and KJ Maye had at least two receptions. Leidner made a nice play-action play on his 10-yard TD pass to Victor Keise. Jamel Harbison also ran for a 15-yard reverse.

* Kicker Chris Hawthorne booted a 28-yard field goal.

* The Gophers next practice is Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., and the annual Spring Game is April 27.
 


vames said:
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
Click to expand...

Go Austin Noble! His grandfather was my high school algebra and geometry teacher.
 

mkAz said:
I concur, thanks Curseislifted33. Did Leidner play at all against the first team defense? Or was he mainly playing against the second team?
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone, need to let the inner rube out sometimes. I wish they would make the week-day practices at times more in favor for us working folk but what can ya do?

Leidner played against mainly the '2' defense but with how much they rotated players in-between the 1's and 2's on defense he saw a lot of action against players who will see significant PT this season so it wasn't like he had a great performance only because he was going against a scout team D.
 



FSN: Cobb looking for role in Gophers’ backfield

"Everybody's apple turns red at a different time," Gophers head coach Jerry Kill said. "I think injuries have held him back. He's had a hamstring or something's always happening. But his concentration and focus has been good. It's a growing-up process. Some kids come in and they're not ready to mature as quick as others. Plus, he's had injury problems since he's been here with his legs. He's trained. He's worked hard. He wants to play."

It's tough to read too much into a player's performance in spring. Look no further than last season, when James Gillum was touted as perhaps the next answer at running back. He finished the year with just 27 carries for 73 yards.

But Cobb's attitude entering his junior season seems to be different. He knows his opportunities might be limited, but he's hoping to make the most of them.

"I guess this year, growing up a little bit, I realize that, hey, two years down you did a lot of learning but now it's time to step up and help your team out any way you can," Cobb said. "Last year, I played a big role on special teams, so if I don't start at running back, I want to start on special teams. Coach emphasized being a starter, so I'm out here trying to go hard every day."

http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/colle...in-Gophers-backfie?blockID=892755&feedID=3590

Go Gophers!!
 


MN Daily: After rocky start, Hageman becomes leader
Though he’s past a troubled youth, Gophers senior Ra’Shede Hageman still has ‘untapped’ potential.

“For what he’s done in his life to get where he’s at now, credit his high school coach, credit his family that he’s with and credit Ra’Shede for wanting to change and be an impact,” Kill said.

http://www.mndaily.com/sports/football/2013/04/16/after-rocky-start-hageman-becomes-leader-0

Go Gophers!!
 

When you read some of these stories about some of the University of Minnesota football players and the adversity they have faced and persevered, you realize why coach Kill have often said football saves lives. A parent of a child who needs strong love, discipline and direction would be well advised to choose Kill to be his coach.
 

BleedGopher said:
FSN: Cobb looking for role in Gophers’ backfield

"Everybody's apple turns red at a different time," Gophers head coach Jerry Kill said. "I think injuries have held him back. He's had a hamstring or something's always happening. But his concentration and focus has been good. It's a growing-up process. Some kids come in and they're not ready to mature as quick as others. Plus, he's had injury problems since he's been here with his legs. He's trained. He's worked hard. He wants to play."

It's tough to read too much into a player's performance in spring. Look no further than last season, when James Gillum was touted as perhaps the next answer at running back. He finished the year with just 27 carries for 73 yards.

But Cobb's attitude entering his junior season seems to be different. He knows his opportunities might be limited, but he's hoping to make the most of them.

"I guess this year, growing up a little bit, I realize that, hey, two years down you did a lot of learning but now it's time to step up and help your team out any way you can," Cobb said. "Last year, I played a big role on special teams, so if I don't start at running back, I want to start on special teams. Coach emphasized being a starter, so I'm out here trying to go hard every day."

http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/colle...in-Gophers-backfie?blockID=892755&feedID=3590

Go Gophers!!
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I always thought he looked like he could be a good RB. I know there aren't a lot of examples to base this off of, however.
 

Joe Christensen's Blog from the Tenth Day of Spring Practice

The Gophers did pretty well on the health front through the first two weeks of spring practice, but that hasn’t been the case of late.

Running back James Gillum injured a knee in Friday’s scrimmage and might be done for the spring, Coach Jerry Kill said Tuesday.

The offensive line is banged up. Ed Olson (ankle surgery) and Zach Mottla (broken leg) have missed the whole spring, Jonah Pirsig has been out with a knee injury since April 6, Brian Bobek has missed the past four practices because of illness, and Jon Christenson is playing through a sprained ankle suffered in Friday’s scrimmage.

“The big thing is we hopefully get everybody back for the fall,” Kill said. “The way it looks we will, but those things are starting to pile up as the spring goes. So we’ve gotta be careful, but we’ve still gotta get better.”

The Gophers have four practices remaining before their April 27 spring game.
 

10th Day of Practice from Spring Practice Central

The Gophers haven’t had a player rush for over 1,000 yards since Amir Pinnix passed the mark in 2006. Donnell Kirkwood could taste the milestone this past season but came up just 74 yards shy.

Despite falling short of the mark, Kirkwood established himself as the go to back for the Minnesota offense. The junior tailback led the team in rushing nine times this past season, passing the century mark three times. However, Kirkwood isn’t satisfied with those results, knowing that there is always room for improvement.

“I have got to work harder. Somebody is coming to be that starting running back. I want to continue to be that man and I have to continue to keep working.”

The journey has been an arduous one for the young running back. Kirkwood showed tremendous promise early in his collegiate career, seeing significant time in his true freshman season before succumbing to injury. After receiving a medical hardship waiver, the Delray Beach, Florida native was expecting big things once again but was hampered by a nagging hamstring injury, limiting his ability to produce. Now, finally having a full season under his belt, Kirkwood hopes he’s past his history of injury.

“I’m feeling great. During the season I don’t do certain things. During the springtime I don’t do certain things. I feel like it’s helping me.”

With a heavy reliance on the run game, Kirkwood’s health is imperative to the success of the offense. For the team to take another step and improve on last season’s results, Kirkwood very well may be needed to reach the 1,000 yard mark that has alluded Gopher rushers recently. Kirkwood, however, isn’t concerned with his individual statistics. His focus is on winning.

“I want my ring to be bigger than it was last year. I don’t want to be 6-6, I want to be 9-3 or 10-2.”

With the powerful tailback carrying the rock, that seems like a far less daunting task.

There is an audio by coach Kill at the web site below.

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



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Writing about @brockvereen21. Minnesota secondary coach Jay Sawvel said as good as Carter and Stoudermire were, Vereen was secondary's MVP
 


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