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http://draftbreakdown.com/2016-nfl-draft-prospect-preview-minnesota-golden-gophers/
The Minnesota Golden Gophers finished this past regular season just one win shy of a berth in the Big Ten title game. Instead the team had to settle for a Citrus Bowl bid, were handled by Missouri, and dropped to 8-5 on the year. The Gophers’ record overall and in conference was still good enough to produce their best season under current Head Coach Jerry Kill, but the 2015 team has lost workhorse running back David Cobb, star tight end Maxx Williams, and the defense’s two leading tacklers, linebacker Damien Wilson and safety Cedric Thompson. Kill’s crew has a home date with a dangerous TCU team to kickoff the season, but follow with seven winnable games heading into an early November trip to Columbus to face Ohio State. The Gophers have a decent opportunity to top, or at least match last year’s record. Here’s a look at the draft-eligible players they’ll be working with in the fall.
Briean Boddy-Calhoun CB 5’11” 188
Three-star recruit out of junior college in Coffeyville, KA in 2012
2014 Stats: 51 TKL 2 TFL 2 FF 5 INT 9 PBU
Boddy-Calhoun arrived at Minnesota via the junior college ranks in 2012, and saw action as a reserve that season. In 2013 he started that year off with a bang, running an interception back 89 yards for a score in an opening day win over UNLV. Unfortunately, a knee injury ended Boddy-Calhoun’s season prematurely, and he missed all but two games that year. He returned to health in time for a full 2014 season and emerged as the Gophers’ top cover man. His five interceptions and nine pass breakups earned him First Team All-Big Ten recognition from the media, and a Second Team nod from the conference coaches. Having received a medical redshirt for his abbreviated 2013, Boddy-Calhoun returns for one final go around, and while he doesn’t have great size, his steady tackling and ball hawking ability are likely to merit at least mid round consideration from NFL teams next spring.
De’Vondre Campbell OLB 6’5” 241
Three-star recruit out of junior college in Hutchinson, KA in 2013
2014 Stats: 75 TKL 6.5 TFL 2.5 SCK 1 QBH 1 INT (returned for a TD) 1 PBU 1 blocked FG
Campbell joined the Gophers from the Juco ranks prior to the 2013 season and amassed 41 tackles in a mostly reserve role. He became a full-time starter last season and finished third on the team in tackles. Campbell has an intriguing combination of size and speed, so it will be interesting to see if he’s given more pass rushing opportunities this season. He’s on the Butkus award watch list, but to this point he’s really only shown flashes of playmaking ability. Still, Campbell will be relied upon for leadership, and he’s certainly not lacking in confidence. The senior linebacker raised eyebrows last November when he declared TCU a much better team than the eventual national champion Buckeyes. He’ll get another look at both teams in 2015.
Eric Murray CB 6’ 196
Two-star recruit out of Milwaukee, WI in 2012
2014 Stats: 69 TKL 2 TFL 1 INT 7 PBU
Across from Boddy-Calhoun, Murray had manned the other corner spot and has broken up a total of 17 passes in 26 starts over the past two seasons. His performance last season earned him Second Team all-conference recognition from the coaches. As a prospect, Murray has a good-sized frame, he’s a strong tackler, and he’s an experienced starter. If his speed checks out he may work his way into the late rounds.
Theiren Cockran DE 6’6” 257
Two-star recruit out of Homestead, FL in 2011
2014 Stats: 23 TKL 7 TFL 4 SCK 1 FF 2 PBU
As a redshirt sophomore in 2013, Cockran was named Second Team All-Big Ten by the media in 2013 after posting 7.5 sacks in 13 games, but then saw his total dip significantly last year. The drop off has been attributed in some quarters to Cockran attracting more attention from opposing offensive linemen, but a closer look reveals that despite looking the part, he may not really possess the tools to be an imposing pass rush presence. Cockran doesn’t have ideal explosion off the ball, and appears stiff in his approach. Whether speed rushing or trying an inside spin, the fifth-year senior lacks smoothness and bend, and often gets off balance. The effort is there, but the talent level is average. Factoring his age into the equation – Cockran will be a 24-year old rookie – suggests a player who has a low ceiling for improvement at best, or is maxed out physically at worst. At this point he looks like a late round draft pick or priority free agent.
Other Players to Watch:
Damarius Travis FS 6’2” 215
Three-star recruit out of Pensacola, FL in 2012
2014 Stats: 61 TKL 3.5 TFL 1 FF 2 INT 5 PBU
In 13 games (seven starts) last season, Travis finished fifth in the team in tackles and fourth in pass breakups. The big safety heads into his senior year as a full-time starter for the first time in his career.
Josh Campion OT 6’5” 310
Three-star recruit out of Fork Union Military Academy in VA in 2011
Campion redshirted in 2011 and has since started all 39 games of his college career. He has seen action at right and left tackle for the Gophers, but he will turn 25 years old this coming December.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers finished this past regular season just one win shy of a berth in the Big Ten title game. Instead the team had to settle for a Citrus Bowl bid, were handled by Missouri, and dropped to 8-5 on the year. The Gophers’ record overall and in conference was still good enough to produce their best season under current Head Coach Jerry Kill, but the 2015 team has lost workhorse running back David Cobb, star tight end Maxx Williams, and the defense’s two leading tacklers, linebacker Damien Wilson and safety Cedric Thompson. Kill’s crew has a home date with a dangerous TCU team to kickoff the season, but follow with seven winnable games heading into an early November trip to Columbus to face Ohio State. The Gophers have a decent opportunity to top, or at least match last year’s record. Here’s a look at the draft-eligible players they’ll be working with in the fall.
Briean Boddy-Calhoun CB 5’11” 188
Three-star recruit out of junior college in Coffeyville, KA in 2012
2014 Stats: 51 TKL 2 TFL 2 FF 5 INT 9 PBU
Boddy-Calhoun arrived at Minnesota via the junior college ranks in 2012, and saw action as a reserve that season. In 2013 he started that year off with a bang, running an interception back 89 yards for a score in an opening day win over UNLV. Unfortunately, a knee injury ended Boddy-Calhoun’s season prematurely, and he missed all but two games that year. He returned to health in time for a full 2014 season and emerged as the Gophers’ top cover man. His five interceptions and nine pass breakups earned him First Team All-Big Ten recognition from the media, and a Second Team nod from the conference coaches. Having received a medical redshirt for his abbreviated 2013, Boddy-Calhoun returns for one final go around, and while he doesn’t have great size, his steady tackling and ball hawking ability are likely to merit at least mid round consideration from NFL teams next spring.
De’Vondre Campbell OLB 6’5” 241
Three-star recruit out of junior college in Hutchinson, KA in 2013
2014 Stats: 75 TKL 6.5 TFL 2.5 SCK 1 QBH 1 INT (returned for a TD) 1 PBU 1 blocked FG
Campbell joined the Gophers from the Juco ranks prior to the 2013 season and amassed 41 tackles in a mostly reserve role. He became a full-time starter last season and finished third on the team in tackles. Campbell has an intriguing combination of size and speed, so it will be interesting to see if he’s given more pass rushing opportunities this season. He’s on the Butkus award watch list, but to this point he’s really only shown flashes of playmaking ability. Still, Campbell will be relied upon for leadership, and he’s certainly not lacking in confidence. The senior linebacker raised eyebrows last November when he declared TCU a much better team than the eventual national champion Buckeyes. He’ll get another look at both teams in 2015.
Eric Murray CB 6’ 196
Two-star recruit out of Milwaukee, WI in 2012
2014 Stats: 69 TKL 2 TFL 1 INT 7 PBU
Across from Boddy-Calhoun, Murray had manned the other corner spot and has broken up a total of 17 passes in 26 starts over the past two seasons. His performance last season earned him Second Team all-conference recognition from the coaches. As a prospect, Murray has a good-sized frame, he’s a strong tackler, and he’s an experienced starter. If his speed checks out he may work his way into the late rounds.
Theiren Cockran DE 6’6” 257
Two-star recruit out of Homestead, FL in 2011
2014 Stats: 23 TKL 7 TFL 4 SCK 1 FF 2 PBU
As a redshirt sophomore in 2013, Cockran was named Second Team All-Big Ten by the media in 2013 after posting 7.5 sacks in 13 games, but then saw his total dip significantly last year. The drop off has been attributed in some quarters to Cockran attracting more attention from opposing offensive linemen, but a closer look reveals that despite looking the part, he may not really possess the tools to be an imposing pass rush presence. Cockran doesn’t have ideal explosion off the ball, and appears stiff in his approach. Whether speed rushing or trying an inside spin, the fifth-year senior lacks smoothness and bend, and often gets off balance. The effort is there, but the talent level is average. Factoring his age into the equation – Cockran will be a 24-year old rookie – suggests a player who has a low ceiling for improvement at best, or is maxed out physically at worst. At this point he looks like a late round draft pick or priority free agent.
Other Players to Watch:
Damarius Travis FS 6’2” 215
Three-star recruit out of Pensacola, FL in 2012
2014 Stats: 61 TKL 3.5 TFL 1 FF 2 INT 5 PBU
In 13 games (seven starts) last season, Travis finished fifth in the team in tackles and fourth in pass breakups. The big safety heads into his senior year as a full-time starter for the first time in his career.
Josh Campion OT 6’5” 310
Three-star recruit out of Fork Union Military Academy in VA in 2011
Campion redshirted in 2011 and has since started all 39 games of his college career. He has seen action at right and left tackle for the Gophers, but he will turn 25 years old this coming December.
