FSN: Gophers positional preview: Linebackers

[BleedGopher]

per FSN:

Best position battle: Wilson appears a lock at the middle linebacker position, where he was a mainstay last year. Given his experience, Campbell has the upper hand for one of the two outside linebacker jobs. But the third outside linebacker is by no means set in stone. Lynn will likely enter fall camp this weekend as the top option for that final linebacker spot, but he could be challenged in camp by Rallis. The younger brother of former Gophers linebacker Mike Rallis, Nick appeared in 10 games for Minnesota last year as a redshirt freshman, registering seven tackles. Given the lack of playing time the rest of the backup linebackers have, Rallis would likely have the best chance of any to unseat Lynn as the third starting linebacker.

http://www.foxsports.com/north/story/gophers-positional-preview-linebackers-073014

Go Gophers!!

 

[dpodoll68]

How do you write this "preview" and not give a single mention to any of Wipson, Schultz, Laster, or Celestin?

 

[die hard gopher]

How do you write this "preview" and not give a single mention to any of Wipson, Schultz, Laster, or Celestin?

Eh, Laster along with Dixon will see time sparingly but not many are expecting Wipson, Schultz or Celestin to get any time at all.

 

[dpodoll68]

not many are expecting Wipson, Schultz or Celestin to get any time at all

You should probably inform the coaching staff of that, particularly since they've singled out Celestin, and Schultz played last year. It would be pretty strange to go from that to no time at all this year.

 

[die hard gopher]

You should probably inform the coaching staff of that, particularly since they've singled out Celestin, and Schultz played last year. It would be pretty strange to go from that to no time at all this year.

I haven't seen too much of them singling out Celestin or Schultz at all. From what the coaches have said it seems like Lynn, Campbell and Wilson will start. Rallis will get a lot of time as a backup at all 3 positions and Poock will play a lot when he gets healthy. They have mentioned Laster and Dixon indicating they will play sparingly and I literally have not heard a single word about Wipson or Schultz from any of the coaches this entire offseason. All I've heard from Celestin is they he may possibly play but not a guarantee.

 

[Unregistered User]

Big Ten Media Day notes: Kill talks about potential impact Gophers freshmen:

"On defense, Kill singled out linebacker Jonathan Celestin and defensive lineman Steven Richardson as players who could compete for playing time as freshmen."

My excerpts and impressions

-Anticipates Jonathan Celestin has a chance to play at outside linebacker. Sounds very impressed with his speed/athleticism. He has a great highlight reel: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1779500/jonathan-celestin