ESPN: B1G's 5 top impact true freshmen (Jeff Jones - Minnesota)

[BleedGopher]

per Rittenberg:

Here are five players (in alphabetical order) who I expect to see early and often in 2014.

Jeff Jones, RB, Minnesota: The Gophers return a 1,200-yard rusher in David Cobb, so the need for Jones might not be overly pressing. But Jones' surge both during his senior season and afterward, when he claimed MVP honors at the Under Armour All-America Game, boost his chances of making a splash right away. Minnesota established itself as a run-first team in 2013, and the uncertainty at the quarterback position could push the Gophers even more toward the ground game this fall. The 6-foot, 198-pound Jones is the most decorated recruit of the Jerry Kill era and provides a spark to an offense that needs more dynamic components.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/95840/b1gs-top-impact-true-freshmen

Go Gophers!!

 

[GoldenRodents]

Jeff "Rose Bowl" Jones

 

[Jeshurun]

Jeff "Rose Bowl" Jones

How about Jeff "Heisman" Jones - has a nice ring to it...

It's fun to dream. Here's to hoping he qualifies and becomes my favorite all time Gopher!


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[Jeshurun]

Out of curiosity, what was the last time we had a recruit as highly ranked as Jones? I see he's ranked as the 5th best RB on 247


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[Gopherguy0723]

Out of curiosity, what was the last time we had a recruit as highly ranked as Jones? I see he's ranked as the 5th best RB on 247


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Maroney was probably the closest.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I believe MarQueis Gray was also ranked very highly nationally at the QB position.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

How about Jeff "Heisman" Jones - has a nice ring to it...

It's fun to dream. Here's to hoping he qualifies and becomes my favorite all time Gopher!


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He stands a better chance at the Heisman than the "Weisman for Heisman" pig lovers were ranting about awhile back

 

[SJUgopher]

I think Lemming had Nelson as #2 passer.

 

[Jeshurun]

I think Lemming had Nelson as #2 passer.

I meant more of a consensus top ranked dude.

If Leidner can hang onto the ball and hit an open receiver (I know these are big IFs) we could be in for a special year with Cobb, Jones, Edwards, Kirkwood, and Williams at tailback.


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[maroonedinCA]

I believe MarQueis Gray was also ranked very highly nationally at the QB position.

It's funny when you look at Gray's Rivals profile it shows QBs most similar in his class. Those QBS: RGIII, BJ Daniels and EJ Manuel. Hell of a recruit and to think we almost had our very own RGIII.

 

[hungan1]

Hopefully, a good running game will finally open up the passing attack.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

per Rittenberg:

Here are five players (in alphabetical order) who I expect to see early and often in 2014.

Jeff Jones, RB, Minnesota: The Gophers return a 1,200-yard rusher in David Cobb, so the need for Jones might not be overly pressing. But Jones' surge both during his senior season and afterward, when he claimed MVP honors at the Under Armour All-America Game, boost his chances of making a splash right away. Minnesota established itself as a run-first team in 2013, and the uncertainty at the quarterback position could push the Gophers even more toward the ground game this fall. The 6-foot, 198-pound Jones is the most decorated recruit of the Jerry Kill era and provides a spark to an offense that needs more dynamic components.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/95840/b1gs-top-impact-true-freshmen

Go Gophers!!

How much more can we possibly push ourselves towards the ground game?

 

[stocker08]

How much more can we possibly push ourselves towards the ground game?

4 Tight End sets.

 

[e.bigelow]

4 Tight End sets.

THIS POST NEEDS MOAR TE'S PLZ.

 

[dlw4gophers]

The article is listed as true freshman. The DT Ward from Illinois is a Juco. Article is worthless. I still think Jones has a positive impact for us next season.

 

[MNVCGUY]

How much more can we possibly push ourselves towards the ground game?

That is a good point because the problems on offense last year did not come from an inability to move the ball on the ground. They came mostly from a complete inability to utilize the forward pass as a weapon in the offense. Any running back, no matter who they are tends to look better when the opposing teams can't stack 8 in the box against them. To really get the most out of a guy like Jones you need the passing game to be enough of a threat to keep teams from selling out to stop the running game.

Mason had that formula on offense down pat. The passing game was never elite like the running game was. But the passing game was good enough to keep teams somewhat honest on defense and the offense could hurt you through the air if you gave them a chance to.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

That is a good point because the problems on offense last year did not come from an inability to move the ball on the ground. They came mostly from a complete inability to utilize the forward pass as a weapon in the offense. Any running back, no matter who they are tends to look better when the opposing teams can't stack 8 in the box against them. To really get the most out of a guy like Jones you need the passing game to be enough of a threat to keep teams from selling out to stop the running game.

Mason had that formula on offense down pat. The passing game was never elite like the running game was. But the passing game was good enough to keep teams somewhat honest on defense and the offense could hurt you through the air if you gave them a chance to.

This is exactly why our passing game was so frustrating last year. Our guys didn't have to be world beaters, they just had to throw (and catch) well enough to convince other teams that we might try to throw the ball.

 

[BJN]

This is exactly why our passing game was so frustrating last year. Our guys didn't have to be world beaters, they just had to throw (and catch) well enough to convince other teams that we might try to throw the ball.

Yep. Especially in the last three games, opposing D's sold out to stop the run leaving wide open wideouts and the they still couldn't connect on plays. Unfortunate because the D played more than well enough to win these games. If a few more connections were made on the passsing side, the running game would have opened up even more leading to possiblly different outcomes in those games.

 

[BleedGopher]

ESPN now has a poll with Jones included: Poll: Big Ten's top impact recruit in 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/95852/poll-big-tens-top-impact-recruit-in-2014

Go Gophers!!

 

[jaymil]

The article is listed as true freshman. The DT Ward from Illinois is a Juco. Article is worthless. I still think Jones has a positive impact for us next season.

It does say "or JUCO's" in the initial paragraph. They should probably do a separate JUCO article though. Obviously most if not all JUCO's are expected to have an immediate impact.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

ESPN now has a poll with Jones included: Poll: Big Ten's top impact recruit in 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/95852/poll-big-tens-top-impact-recruit-in-2014

Go Gophers!!

Can't disagree with the top 2 in the poll. Godwin will benefit from a top notch gunslinger throwing him the ball. Jones will be one of the most versatile skill position players in the B1G next year imo. It should be an interesting contest for top frosh.

 

[JoeDirt]

THIS POST NEEDS MOAR TE'S PLZ.

Your wish is my command!<!-- copy and paste this code wherever you'd like the gif to appear -->
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<div style="max-width: 500px;" id="_giphy_zCKd1HhG5HYHK"></div>

 

[Governor Sibley]

It's funny when you look at Gray's Rivals profile it shows QBs most similar in his class. Those QBS: RGIII, BJ Daniels and EJ Manuel. Hell of a recruit and to think we almost had our very own RGIII.

I repeat: MG should sue the University of Minnesota.

 

[CWCWCW]

I repeat: MG should sue the University of Minnesota.

I hear you. But, it all works out. Gray is collecting an NFL paycheck. It worked out okay for him. He must still enjoy Minnesota as he recently moved to Eagan.

 

[e.bigelow]

Your wish is my command!<!-- copy and paste this code wherever you'd like the gif to appear --> <!-- it will automatically resize to fit its container --> <div style="max-width: 500px;" id="_giphy_zCKd1HhG5HYHK"></div>

LOL! Well played, sir!

 

[pharmacygopher]

Out of curiosity, what was the last time we had a recruit as highly ranked as Jones? I see he's ranked as the 5th best RB on 247


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Using Rivals. The 'rivals ranking' only goes back to 2003 and we have zero 6.0 recruits, besides Jeff Jones. Potentially such a huge, game-changing pickup.

 

[pharmacygopher]

Your wish is my command!<!-- copy and paste this code wherever you'd like the gif to appear -->
<!-- it will automatically resize to fit its container -->

<div style="max-width: 500px;" id="_giphy_zCKd1HhG5HYHK"></div>

Dude, really. Couldn't have used a cute volleyball girl or something?

 

[die hard gopher]

Isaac Hayes had a higher ESPN ranking then Jeff's. #115 to Jeff's #137. On a composite basis though i have to think in a very very long time, decades considering not just how highly regarded he is but how valuable he will be.

 

[Ski U Master]

Let's get him into the school before we crown him.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

Isaac Hayes had a higher ESPN ranking then Jeff's. #115 to Jeff's #137. On a composite basis though i have to think in a very very long time, decades considering not just how highly regarded he is but how valuable he will be.

Hayes' 247 Composite ranking was 561 and that number is skewed a bit by the ESPN ranking. The other major offers were from Oregon St and Va. Tech. Boise St also offered. Connor Mayes has a composite ranking of 456 at the same position and had a more impressive recruiting list. Also, ESPN's ranking for Jones is the lowest of the 4 recruiting services. He is top 100 on every other list. A player with Jones' credential should have more of an immediate impact.

http://247sports.com/Player/Isaac-Hayes-10171?Institution=2947