DL Xion Chapman commits to the Gophers


I just don’t believe it’s a strategy of spreading NIL money around instead of investing in a few expensive guys by choice. I think it’s we can’t afford the big time guys. If we could we would go for them and also be adding a lot of cheap guys. I have a hard time believing it takes a bunch of of money to get a guy with 20 catches from Tulsa to come here.
He probably didn’t cost a lot but WR4/5 (or in my opinion WR in general) isn’t a place to spend a lot of money.
 



That’s not a very nice thing to say.
I actually think you are a realist on many of your posts and you have had some good insights. I’ll keep you on my non-ignore list. I do have to laugh because a lot of folks have a lot of people on the ignore list. Pretty soon it’s just them talking to themselves in their echo chamber. But maybe that’s how their real world is for them?

Back to this signing…love it. Big body at a position of need. Him and Crowder from Marshall, will help a lot with the interior rotation. They were thin there and needed some support. I do think Sunram will be a player though. I’m not sure how the other younger fellas are since we haven’t really seen them in action.
 


I have 70% of this board on my ignore list. Automatic ignore status for anyone that has golf, fishing, or Lakeville in their moniker. Not because I dislike golf or fishing, just because I already know too much about your potential posting tendency. And nothing good has ever came out of Lakeville.
 

He probably didn’t cost a lot but WR4/5 (or in my opinion WR in general) isn’t a place to spend a lot of money.
I hope we aren’t adding guys through the portal that we hope can be a WR4/5. I’d rather go for upside and if he’s a complete bust let an inexperienced high school recruit step into that role.
 

I hope we aren’t adding guys through the portal that we hope can be a WR4/5. I’d rather go for upside and if he’s a complete bust let an inexperienced high school recruit step into that role.
It will be interesting to see if Fruechte can get more out of that group.
 

I hope we aren’t adding guys through the portal that we hope can be a WR4/5. I’d rather go for upside and if he’s a complete bust let an inexperienced high school recruit step into that role.
They have 4 WRs total returning from last year’s team. Of those 4, only two saw PT last season and the other 2 are redshirt freshmen.

They needed to fill out the depth chart with players that had some experience. Hence, the additions of Jennings and Steptoe who are likely to be WR4/5.

Smith and Tracy and 7 freshman wasn’t going to cut it.

I don’t disagree that money is better spent elsewhere but next years team is really thin at WR and I think Jennings and Steptoe are 1 year guys.
 



View attachment 41460
In case anyone was wondering…

Mr. Chapman is the Gophers highest rated transfer.
It looks like Xion was not ranked coming out of high school (Allentown, PA), and now he’s a high 4 Star. Does anyone know why he seemed to slip by the rankings in high school? Did he not play foosball?
 

I have 70% of this board on my ignore list. Automatic ignore status for anyone that has golf, fishing, or Lakeville in their moniker. Not because I dislike golf or fishing, just because I already know too much about your potential posting tendency. And nothing good has ever came out of Lakeville.
I-35?
 

It will be interesting to see if Fruechte can get more out of that group.
I hope so. Indiana has receivers that know how to fake the defender and get open. It was fun watching them school the Oregon DBs. If Fruechte can teach our WR that, we’ll be much better.
 

It looks like Xion was not ranked coming out of high school (Allentown, PA), and now he’s a high 4 Star. Does anyone know why he seemed to slip by the rankings in high school? Did he not play foosball?
I believe he went JUCO out of HS. Not sure of the reason though.
 



Yes, no one talks about the downside of the portal for players. I suppose teams that use it effectively need to be a bit ruthless in culling the herd.
PJ looks to be moving in that direction. We have a lot of portal rntries and, with a few exceptions, they are leaving to upgrade their team or payday.
 

I hope we aren’t adding guys through the portal that we hope can be a WR4/5. I’d rather go for upside and if he’s a complete bust let an inexperienced high school recruit step into that role.
Just so you know, besides the 2 or 3 WRs PJ is bringing in from the portal, he is also bringing in 5 WRs in the 2026 HS class (plus an Athlete who PJ has recruited as a DB but who was a prolific HS WR). PJ basically cleaned house after the season, carrying over only 4 wide receivers. This WR haul in the FR class, plus the experienced depth pieces and/upside gambles from the portal, create an entire different WR “room” for Fruechte and Harbaugh. I think it will be a dramatic change next year—hopefully for the better!
 

Just so you know, besides the 2 or 3 WRs PJ is bringing in from the portal, he is also bringing in 5 WRs in the 2026 HS class (plus an Athlete who PJ has recruited as a DB but who was a prolific HS WR). PJ basically cleaned house after the season, carrying over only 4 wide receivers. This WR haul in the FR class, plus the experienced depth pieces and/upside gambles from the portal, create an entire different WR “room” for Fruechte and Harbaugh. I think it will be a dramatic change next year—hopefully for the better!
I'm optimistic about the HS recruits. I hadn't really looked at their offer lists in detail but solid

Blassingame - Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, North Carolina, Purdue, Texas A&M, UCF, Washington, wisconsin

Moore - Boston College, Iowa, Penn State, Vanderbilt

Dozier- Boston College, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt

Hendryx- Syracuse, Nebraska, West Virginia

Stevens- West Virginia, Nebraska, (James Madison)
 




Top Bottom