Gopher portal visits and signings

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FWIW DT Chapman is the highest rated transfer 92 followed by WR Thompson 90 both 4 star. DE Bush, OT Warren and DB Ayden West are next but 3 star at 87. Not all of transfers have been rated
 





MGGopher said:
This is always the case for good teams, but Miami and IU have absolutely dominated the trenches on both sides throughout the CFP. They’re good at every position group, but they’re especially good rushing the passer, running the ball, and giving their QBs time to throw.

I’m super excited about how the DL is shaping up for MN next year and can honestly see that group — especially at DE — being one of the best in the nation. I’d feel a LOT better with 1-2 more impactful additions on the OL. They had a LONG way to go, especially in the running game, and it’s hard for me to envision them being a top group nationally just based on improvement of returning players.
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So you’re predicting a top DL in the country? Like by PFF ratings? Honestly curious.
 










gopherbadgerman said:
So you’re predicting a top DL in the country? Like by PFF ratings? Honestly curious.
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I really believe that's possible. Smith is clearly one of the top DE in the country and will be drafted next year. Bush has produced at a high level over multiple P4 seasons. I think Menz is a future All B1G player. Howard improved and is a great athlete. They're likely to work Karmo into the pass rush regularly. So at DE, I'd be surprised if there's 20 teams with a better rotation.

DT is clearly another story, but I do like the players they've added and am cautiously optimistic. Either way, I love the commitment to DL generally and pass rush specifically in recruiting and think they'll be improved next year.
 

MGGopher said:
I really believe that's possible. Smith is clearly one of the top DE in the country and will be drafted next year. Bush has produced at a high level over multiple P4 seasons. I think Menz is a future All B1G player. Howard improved and is a great athlete. They're likely to work Karmo into the pass rush regularly. So at DE, I'd be surprised if there's 20 teams with a better rotation.

DT is clearly another story, but I do like the players they've added and am cautiously optimistic. Either way, I love the commitment to DL generally and pass rush specifically in recruiting and think they'll be improved next year.
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The DT position will definitely make or break the D-Line next year but if the new faces and developing players on the roster are able to hold up the ends should be some of the best we have had in quite some time. Could be a ton of fun to watch if it all comes together the way it looks like it could.
 

I sure hope the WR from Auburn, the RB from Purdue, and the OT from Tenn turn out or this offensive haul looks pretty underwhelming as far as upside as well as even a baseline. Maybe we don’t have the budget, but would be nice to focus on more productive lower level guys if we can’t get productive P4 guys, or guys that were rated high as high schoolers and are still young. It’s going to be hard to take a step forward if we are just adding guys for depth. We need to look to improve the starters. Again if the budget is what it is I get it, but seems like we’re stuck treading water if that’s the case.
 

btowngopher said:
That’s hard to believe watching his highlights. Granted this is high school… https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=t.j.+thomas+elon#bottom-sheet.

That said speed isn’t everything. That highlight shown in the twitter post was against Duke, so we see he can make p4 guys miss.
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Marcus Sherels had a great career as a punt return man for the Vikings and he was more quick than fast. Great open-end speed is obviously valuable, but being able to cut and accelerate quickly out of the cut is what usually makes a great return man.
 

btowngopher said:
I sure hope the WR from Auburn, the RB from Purdue, and the OT from Tenn turn out or this offensive haul looks pretty underwhelming as far as upside as well as even a baseline. Maybe we don’t have the budget, but would be nice to focus on more productive lower level guys if we can’t get productive P4 guys, or guys that were rated high as high schoolers and are still young. It’s going to be hard to take a step forward if we are just adding guys for depth. We need to look to improve the starters. Again if the budget is what it is I get it, but seems like we’re stuck treading water if that’s the case.
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You are not wrong but we do have quite a bit coming back on offense as well. 4 of the 5 starters along the O-Line (at the end of the year) are back. And there are a number of guys in the system. Given the lack of O-Line transfers they may feel pretty good about what is in house with another off season of development.

DT and Turner are back at RB (injuries are certainly a concern but healthy those two make a nice 1-2 punch). RB is a spot where a freshman can potentially make an impact and there are a couple transfers.

At TE there are some guys like Walsh, Johnson, and Simpson plus the new guy from Oklahoma and can't count out Voss forcing his way onto the field in year 1.

WR is a bit of a question mark after the top 2 of Smith and Tracy. This is one spot on offense where we really need a transfer to make an impact probably (hopefully Thompson) but there are also guys like Martino and Hayes in the system and a number of freshman coming in.

And obviously QB is good to go with Drake back for another year.

So on paper it may not look like many potential impact transfers on offense but we may not need them to be.
 

MNVCGUY said:
You are not wrong but we do have quite a bit coming back on offense as well. 4 of the 5 starters along the O-Line (at the end of the year) are back. And there are a number of guys in the system. Given the lack of O-Line transfers they may feel pretty good about what is in house with another off season of development.

DT and Turner are back at RB (injuries are certainly a concern but healthy those two make a nice 1-2 punch). RB is a spot where a freshman can potentially make an impact and there are a couple transfers.

At TE there are some guys like Walsh, Johnson, and Simpson plus the new guy from Oklahoma and can't count out Voss forcing his way onto the field in year 1.

WR is a bit of a question mark after the top 2 of Smith and Tracy. This is one spot on offense where we really need a transfer to make an impact probably (hopefully Thompson) but there are also guys like Martino and Hayes in the system and a number of freshman coming in.

And obviously QB is good to go with Drake back for another year.

So on paper it may not look like many potential impact transfers on offense but we may not need them to be.
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I get what your saying, but there wasn’t much about last years offense to make me think that this group can run it back and get this program to move up a notch. It feels like we need an infusion of talent if we want to move beyond that 8-9 win ceiling.
 

btowngopher said:
I get what your saying, but there wasn’t much about last years offense to make me think that this group can run it back and get this program to move up a notch. It feels like we need an infusion of talent if we want to move beyond that 8-9 win ceiling.
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Better defense help lifts the ceiling even if the offense doesn’t improve.

Don’t give up 30+ to Cal and NW and it’s potentially a 10 win season
 

btowngopher said:
I get what your saying, but there wasn’t much about last years offense to make me think that this group can run it back and get this program to move up a notch. It feels like we need an infusion of talent if we want to move beyond that 8-9 win ceiling.
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Not sure we can afford the kind of players that would be a slam dunk to push us into that higher tier.

As for offense taking another step - Returning starters on o-line is always a good thing as those guys tend to get better with time. Big off season for Drake as well now that he has a season of starting under his belt. Can learn from what happened this year to take next step in development in 2026.

Skill positions are a bit of a question mark for sure but there is some really nice potential. We know what DT can be when healthy and Turner was supposed to be pretty good as well but we didn't get to see it with his injury early in the season. There are some pieces in the WR room, hopefully that group comes together.

Question marks as always but potential for the offense to take a step up with an experienced O-Line in front of a QB who has some nice upside and who should be even better next year.
 


btowngopher said:
I sure hope the WR from Auburn, the RB from Purdue, and the OT from Tenn turn out or this offensive haul looks pretty underwhelming as far as upside as well as even a baseline. Maybe we don’t have the budget, but would be nice to focus on more productive lower level guys if we can’t get productive P4 guys, or guys that were rated high as high schoolers and are still young.
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Doesn't the bolded describe the 3 players you are referring to?
 

GopherTheJugular said:
Doesn't the bolded describe the 3 players you are referring to?
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My thoughts too. Fleck literally got low level productive guys and former blue chip players who didnt play much as under classmen. I believe the transfer and high school classes are among the best (non-helmet) classes in the country. Plus we retained 95% of our returning starters. Not sure how anyone could complain
 

Some great stuff on this board. To get to the next level, we need to get better in the trenches. A pretty big key for 2026. It appears Fleck feels pretty good about what is on our current roster and the incoming Offensive Linemen. We grabbed a tackle from Tennessee I'm guessing at a pretty decent price. That was a must to create some competition and hopefully land a stud. I'm looking forward to some younger guys to step up. As we all know, nothing is guaranteed but I feel good about our O-line with 4 guys returning. I expect that the 4 guys coming back will be much better in 2026. I like what we brought in for the defensive line. We are not going to land a highly productive kid from a top level school due to the cost. So Fleck did the next best thing and signed some guys with potential to see who rises to the top. We are in pretty good shape at the Edge position. The competition at the defensive tackles will be interesting. We should be able to find 4 guys that can provide some great production and improve our run defense. As for the WR position, once again we have a handful of guys competing for spots and I like the upgrades we have made. We still need to see it transfer to the field but I really like we what did in the portal. What excites me the most. Drake in year #2. Our running game will be better with a healthy DT, some good depth behind him and an improved OLine. I'm hearing some great things about Ryan Estrada, too. I think we will have a great defense. I don't see any real concerns if the defensive tackles work out. A great defense will really help our offense. Our schedule appears to be tougher but the Gophers are going to be BETTER. I am pumped. Go Gophers!
 


tjfelts_4 said:
My thoughts too. Fleck literally got low level productive guys and former blue chip players who didnt play much as under classmen. I believe the transfer and high school classes are among the best (non-helmet) classes in the country. Plus we retained 95% of our returning starters. Not sure how anyone could complain
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Have you been on the internet before? There is always someone who can find a way to complain.... :)
 

Lifeleadership said:
Some great stuff on this board. To get to the next level, we need to get better in the trenches. A pretty big key for 2026. It appears Fleck feels pretty good about what is on our current roster and the incoming Offensive Linemen. We grabbed a tackle from Tennessee I'm guessing at a pretty decent price. That was a must to create some competition and hopefully land a stud. I'm looking forward to some younger guys to step up. As we all know, nothing is guaranteed but I feel good about our O-line with 4 guys returning. I expect that the 4 guys coming back will be much better in 2026. I like what we brought in for the defensive line. We are not going to land a highly productive kid from a top level school due to the cost. So Fleck did the next best thing and signed some guys with potential to see who rises to the top. We are in pretty good shape at the Edge position. The competition at the defensive tackles will be interesting. We should be able to find 4 guys that can provide some great production and improve our run defense. As for the WR position, once again we have a handful of guys competing for spots and I like the upgrades we have made. We still need to see it transfer to the field but I really like we what did in the portal. What excites me the most. Drake in year #2. Our running game will be better with a healthy DT, some good depth behind him and an improved OLine. I'm hearing some great things about Ryan Estrada, too. I think we will have a great defense. I don't see any real concerns if the defensive tackles work out. A great defense will really help our offense. Our schedule appears to be tougher but the Gophers are going to be BETTER. I am pumped. Go Gophers!
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Awesome! Can't wait to let the games commence! Bring on the opposition.
 

Cobra said:
I hope he has an awesome career here, but that image of him looks like he’s dropping a giant deuce in the red zone.
Watch out for those goal post uprights!!!
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Well yeah, he’s crapping on WI hopes and dreams!

It’s all about the framing😉
 

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