Fox 9: Gophers: 5 defensive players that need to step up in 2024

[BleedGopher]

Per Wald:

Here are five players who the Gophers will need to lean on for 2024 to be a success.

JAH JOYNER​

Jah Joyner is now one of the veteran anchors on the defensive line that needs to put more pressure on the quarterback this season. He had 7.5 sacks in 2023, and said at local media day he wants it least 10 this year. The Gophers haven’t had a double-digit sack player since 2008.

CODY LINDENBERG​

It was a frustrating 2023 season for Cody Lindenberg, who missed the first nine games of the season with an injury suffered in fall camp. He only played in four games, making 31 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. If the former Anoka standout can stay healthy, the Gophers have a much better shot at more consistency on defense. He’s the heart and soul of the unit, does pre-snap alignments and is always around the ball when he feels good.

JUSTIN WALLEY​

Justin Walley is now the veteran in the secondary that will feature a lot of new faces this season. He had 45 tackles, eight pass break-ups and one interception last year on the way to being an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention pick. When at the top of his game, Walley can be one of the best defensive backs in the Big Ten.

DANNY STRIGGOW​

In his final season on the Gophers’ defensive line, Danny Striggow knows the standard that must be met this year. He made 12 starts and had 51 tackles and six sacks last season. An All-Big Ten Honorable Mention pick last year, the former Orono standout is ready for a greater leadership role this season.

DARIUS GREEN​

Darius Green is the hybrid player for the Gophers’ defense. He can play multiple positions and be used in different roles, depending on the down and distance. He made 11 starts last year and had 51 tackles with one pass break-up. They’ll need him to take on a great role in the secondary to answer some questions the defense faces entering 2024.

Gophers: 5 defensive players that need to step up in 2024

The University of Minnesota football team is about to start fall camp, but first, the Gophers head to Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis.

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Go Gophers!!

 

[jonnyganas]

Jack Henderson is my favorite defensive player nobody talks about.

And Koi Perich and Jaxon Howard are on my list of promising players to watch list.

 

[Scott R Fisher]

Jack Henderson is my favorite defensive player nobody talks about.

And Koi Perich and Jaxon Howard are on my list of promising players to watch list.

The future is bright

 

[touchdownvikings]

My primary concern is linebacker depth. Cody has really never stayed healthy. And should he go down, does that spell disaster as it did last season?

Big picture:

-Will the Gophers be AT LEAST able to pass OPPORTUNISTICALLY, i.e., (i) on non-passing downs, (ii) when favorable defensive alignments emerge, (iii) via "pre-programmed" simple passes, e.g., a tunnel screen, a receiver slipping just behind the linebackers on 1st and 10 when we *always* run, in order to pick up 7 or 8 yards? YES. Brosmer will be able to reliably do that, AT VERY LEAST.

-Will the Gophers be able to run? Given: (i) Darius, (ii) the o-line; (iii) the ability to pass opportunistically, the answer is absolutely they will run the ball very well.

-Will the Gophers be able to play "complementary" football? The offense will do its part, as it has in past years -- but not last year. That means the defense will benefit from "the best defense is a good (slow, methodical) offense."

-Will the defense be affirmatively stout in its own right? Not if Cody goes down and there is no one capable behind him. Otherwise, the defensive line is strong. Maverick and Cody are quite strong linebackers. And the defensive backfield is at least average, with some strong playmakers.

So linebacker depth could sink everything.

 

[Bayfield Gopher]

We have a decent share of topside D talent. These players will be expected to make big plays and be leaders and steady performers. This group has to stay healthy. IMO, the key is the quality of the newbies and the development of the young guys who saw the field last year due to injuries.

It all starts up front and it appears that the strongest group is the DL.

 

[NotAFanOfBecky]

I’d say the DT position will be critical. No one talks about the loss of Kyler Baugh but he was a solid player for the Gophers. We need Deven Eastern to live up to that potential. Is Logan-Redding and Logan Richter able to fill that gap? Finally is Martin Owusu healthy and ready to contribute?