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From Kyle Goblisch - 247 Sports: A look at TEs & WRs going into Fall.
Tight Ends
Starters: Lincoln Plsek (In-Line TE), Duke Anyanwu (H-Back/Flex TE)
Backups: Brandon Lingen, Nate Wozniak, Jerry Gibson, Nick Hart, Noah Scarver, Bryce Witham
Newcomer To Watch: Duke may get majority of the reps early and technically Gopher fans have yet to see him on the field in game situations, but he’s not a newcomer by any means. Jerry Gibson is main our newcomer to watch, fresh off his redshirt year. He has similar explosiveness that he’ll be able to exploit mismatches as an H-Back or Flex Tight End.
Key Number: 7. Just a total of seven receptions return from last year’s Tight End crew.
2014 Stats: Lincoln Plsek (5 receptions, 53 yards), Brandon Lingen (2 receptions, 18 yards),
Reason For Optimism: Youth, athleticism and potential. The Gophers have stability at the in-line spot with Plsek returning as a very valuable extension of the offensive line. The Gophers also bring a number of names to the field this year from the H-Back spot with limited in-game experience that will be relied upon. Each of those members has great ability and athleticism that simply needs to be realized as production.
Reason For Concern: Losing Maxx Williams with two years of eligibility may cause for a bit of a “rebuild” scenario at the Tight End position, especially when you consider just seven receptions and less than 100 yards returns this fall.
Big Question: Of all the position breakdowns, this one has the most clear cut and undeniable question. Maxx’s production was second to none as a Gopher and likely won’t be flat out repeated by one man. The bigger question is can a group effort replace and continue to keep balance within the offense. Something that certainly seems attainable.
What To Expect: Coach Rob Reeves has been with Kill for years and played under his current boss. He’s developed talent in the past and no reason to believe he can’t or won’t do so again with the youth he has to work with. I’d expect things to remain static from the running game aspect with regards to what you get out of the TEs. Plsek is an exceptional blocker and Lingen offers great depth really in multiple roles.
I’d expect some bumps at first from the H-Back and Flex TEs at first. A committee effort. Ultimately this group has similar youth and potential that the wideouts offer. It may take some time to hit full stride, but the potential is strong with the athleticism offered.
http://minnesota.247sports.com/Bolt/Fall-Preview-Tight-Ends-38294162
Wide Receivers
Starters: KJ Maye, Drew Wolitarsky
Backups: Eric Carter, Jeff Jones, Melvin Holland Jr, Isaiah Gentry, Desmond Gant, Brian Smith, Hunter Register, Rashad Still
Newcomer To Watch: Cheating here, but the 4 redshirt freshman.
Key Number: 4, the number of TDs caught by Minnesota wide receivers last year. Gophers ranked dead last in the B1G with that statistic.
2014 Stats: KJ Maye (16 REC, 298 YDS, TD), Drew Wolitarsky (10 REC, 106 YDS), Eric Carter (REC, 4 YDS)
Reason For Optimism: With Maxx Williams now in the NFL, there are going to be a lot more targets to be divided amongst the receiving options. KJ Maye had a great finish to the 2014 season, had himself a productive Spring, and everything is pointing towards Maye putting it all together for a strong Senior campaign. A healthy Drew Wolitarsky should give Mitch Leidner a consistent, chain-moving, possession receiver. Then you have the group of young receivers everybody is waiting to see. In that group you have Melvin Holland Jr., a big, well-rounded receiver. He's a strong route runner who will specialize in creating a separation, an area Gopher receivers struggled a year ago. Isaiah Gentry is a long and polished vertical option who will catch his fair share of 9 routes next season. Desmond Gant is a raw, but gifted athletic freak. He still has some development left, but his blend of size and speed will be used in some fashion this year. Lastly, you have the potential trump card in Jeff Jones. One of the nations premiere runningback recruits a year ago, Jones has the ability to be a game-breaker from anywhere on the field. Minnesota will give him a run at WR this season, as the potential for him to make an immediate impact is too high for him to stand on the sidelines.
Reason For Concern: Minnesota returns an alarming lack of production and experience at WR, Gophers returning wide receivers have just two career receiving TDs combined. KJ Maye will have good year and there will be production from the TE position, but Minnesota desperately needs a receiver or two, or three to step and provide the passing game an outlet.
Big Question: Who will step up outside of KJ Maye.
What To Expect: Expect a lot of trial and error at WR early on. The coaching staff will spend time moving the receivers around, trying to find the best combinations. There were also be growing pains from the young wide receivers. It will take a couple games to get them acclimated to NCAA football when the bullets are actually flying. Until then, KJ Maye will be the focal point of the receiving group. Expect for him to be Leidner's go-to man throughout the season, and for Maye to put together a career year in his Senior season.
http://minnesota.247sports.com/Bolt/Fall-Preview-Wide-Receivers-38251330
Tight Ends
Starters: Lincoln Plsek (In-Line TE), Duke Anyanwu (H-Back/Flex TE)
Backups: Brandon Lingen, Nate Wozniak, Jerry Gibson, Nick Hart, Noah Scarver, Bryce Witham
Newcomer To Watch: Duke may get majority of the reps early and technically Gopher fans have yet to see him on the field in game situations, but he’s not a newcomer by any means. Jerry Gibson is main our newcomer to watch, fresh off his redshirt year. He has similar explosiveness that he’ll be able to exploit mismatches as an H-Back or Flex Tight End.
Key Number: 7. Just a total of seven receptions return from last year’s Tight End crew.
2014 Stats: Lincoln Plsek (5 receptions, 53 yards), Brandon Lingen (2 receptions, 18 yards),
Reason For Optimism: Youth, athleticism and potential. The Gophers have stability at the in-line spot with Plsek returning as a very valuable extension of the offensive line. The Gophers also bring a number of names to the field this year from the H-Back spot with limited in-game experience that will be relied upon. Each of those members has great ability and athleticism that simply needs to be realized as production.
Reason For Concern: Losing Maxx Williams with two years of eligibility may cause for a bit of a “rebuild” scenario at the Tight End position, especially when you consider just seven receptions and less than 100 yards returns this fall.
Big Question: Of all the position breakdowns, this one has the most clear cut and undeniable question. Maxx’s production was second to none as a Gopher and likely won’t be flat out repeated by one man. The bigger question is can a group effort replace and continue to keep balance within the offense. Something that certainly seems attainable.
What To Expect: Coach Rob Reeves has been with Kill for years and played under his current boss. He’s developed talent in the past and no reason to believe he can’t or won’t do so again with the youth he has to work with. I’d expect things to remain static from the running game aspect with regards to what you get out of the TEs. Plsek is an exceptional blocker and Lingen offers great depth really in multiple roles.
I’d expect some bumps at first from the H-Back and Flex TEs at first. A committee effort. Ultimately this group has similar youth and potential that the wideouts offer. It may take some time to hit full stride, but the potential is strong with the athleticism offered.
http://minnesota.247sports.com/Bolt/Fall-Preview-Tight-Ends-38294162
Wide Receivers
Starters: KJ Maye, Drew Wolitarsky
Backups: Eric Carter, Jeff Jones, Melvin Holland Jr, Isaiah Gentry, Desmond Gant, Brian Smith, Hunter Register, Rashad Still
Newcomer To Watch: Cheating here, but the 4 redshirt freshman.
Key Number: 4, the number of TDs caught by Minnesota wide receivers last year. Gophers ranked dead last in the B1G with that statistic.
2014 Stats: KJ Maye (16 REC, 298 YDS, TD), Drew Wolitarsky (10 REC, 106 YDS), Eric Carter (REC, 4 YDS)
Reason For Optimism: With Maxx Williams now in the NFL, there are going to be a lot more targets to be divided amongst the receiving options. KJ Maye had a great finish to the 2014 season, had himself a productive Spring, and everything is pointing towards Maye putting it all together for a strong Senior campaign. A healthy Drew Wolitarsky should give Mitch Leidner a consistent, chain-moving, possession receiver. Then you have the group of young receivers everybody is waiting to see. In that group you have Melvin Holland Jr., a big, well-rounded receiver. He's a strong route runner who will specialize in creating a separation, an area Gopher receivers struggled a year ago. Isaiah Gentry is a long and polished vertical option who will catch his fair share of 9 routes next season. Desmond Gant is a raw, but gifted athletic freak. He still has some development left, but his blend of size and speed will be used in some fashion this year. Lastly, you have the potential trump card in Jeff Jones. One of the nations premiere runningback recruits a year ago, Jones has the ability to be a game-breaker from anywhere on the field. Minnesota will give him a run at WR this season, as the potential for him to make an immediate impact is too high for him to stand on the sidelines.
Reason For Concern: Minnesota returns an alarming lack of production and experience at WR, Gophers returning wide receivers have just two career receiving TDs combined. KJ Maye will have good year and there will be production from the TE position, but Minnesota desperately needs a receiver or two, or three to step and provide the passing game an outlet.
Big Question: Who will step up outside of KJ Maye.
What To Expect: Expect a lot of trial and error at WR early on. The coaching staff will spend time moving the receivers around, trying to find the best combinations. There were also be growing pains from the young wide receivers. It will take a couple games to get them acclimated to NCAA football when the bullets are actually flying. Until then, KJ Maye will be the focal point of the receiving group. Expect for him to be Leidner's go-to man throughout the season, and for Maye to put together a career year in his Senior season.
http://minnesota.247sports.com/Bolt/Fall-Preview-Wide-Receivers-38251330
