Responses and comments by Head Coach Tracy Claeys on today’s Sports Huddle – only one segment – are as follows:
1) Sid opened today's questioning by asking if they’ve heard anything about two players seeking another year of eligibility through a medical hardship request:
Tracy didn’t disclose the names of the two players that they’re trying to get an additional year. Claeys answer to Sid’s query was succinct: “No, we haven’t . . . hope we’ll hear by the end of spring ball . . . I feel real good about one.” He sounded less hopeful about the second, unidentified player.
2) Sid wanted to know if there have been any position changes:
Claeys replied, “Kids I visited with like the position where they’re at . . . Most kids want a shot (position) where they’re at.”
They’ll have more discussions with certain players at the end of spring drills, and after they’re finished with their player evaluations.
3) Sid wanted to know if they’ve found a punter to replace Peter Mortell:
Claeys sounded positive and confident about the punting game, despite the departure of Peter Mortell.
Ryan Santoso is a strong candidate and could possibly be performing both the kicking and punting duties for the Gophers, according to Claeys.
Claeys also said a redshirt freshman punter from Battle Creek, Michigan, Jacob Herbers, a walk-on, “has a strong leg.” Herbers is presently a member of the Gopher baseball team.
4) Sid asked if they had offered scholarships to any walk-ons:
“Not since we last talked . . . last week,” Claeys replied.
5) Dave Mona asked if they planned to use some players as they did with KJ Maye at multiple positions, given some of the changes in the Gopher offense. As an example running backs who can catch the ball playing wide receiver:
By his response to Dave’s query, Gopher fans can expect to see some changes on offense. “At the end of the year we did with Shannon Brooks . . . could see two tailbacks (on the field at the same time) more than in the past.” He also said receivers Rashad Still and Melvin Holland could also be in the mix of playing in different receiving spots.
Claeys also cited Shannon Brooks throwing a touchdown pass, Rodney Smith’s pass catching abilities, and “Brandon Lingen could play in a lot of places.”
By having players at different positions on offense they want to “create havoc” for the opposing defenses, which you have to do in today's gamne, according to Claeys.
6) Sid wanted to know if the new players that reported for school in January and who have been participating in off-season workouts have impressed Claeys:
“They’ve set in where they need to be . . . working on their footwork,” Claeys answered. He sounded pleased in discussing the new players, and that they’re now primarily working on their footwork (overcoming things they did in high school that won’t work in Big 10 football).
He also stressed the importance of competition in improving their skill sets. Claeys said the new players are "competitors."
7) Dave Mona brought up the topic of recruiting and overcoming the perception of Minnesota being extremely cold. He said it’s too bad this weekend’s weather couldn’t have been experienced by potential recruits in the south. Dave also said the comments expressed by the announcers during the Vikings playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks couldn’t help but reinforce the mistaken idea of a frozen Minnesota in the minds of out-of-state recruits:
Claeys acknowledged that opposing coaches use the topic to promote (negative recruiting) the mistaken idea of how frigid it is in Minnesota. Claeys said he and his coaching staff continually remind recruits that they’re finished with the season around Thanksgiving and that the Big 10 Conference Title game is played in Indianapolis in a dome.
8) Sid’s final question was about signing additional walk-ons this year:
Claeys said there’s a chance that they could sign a couple now or possibly after spring drills have concluded. But there was nothing definitive in his response.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened today's questioning by asking if they’ve heard anything about two players seeking another year of eligibility through a medical hardship request:
Tracy didn’t disclose the names of the two players that they’re trying to get an additional year. Claeys answer to Sid’s query was succinct: “No, we haven’t . . . hope we’ll hear by the end of spring ball . . . I feel real good about one.” He sounded less hopeful about the second, unidentified player.
2) Sid wanted to know if there have been any position changes:
Claeys replied, “Kids I visited with like the position where they’re at . . . Most kids want a shot (position) where they’re at.”
They’ll have more discussions with certain players at the end of spring drills, and after they’re finished with their player evaluations.
3) Sid wanted to know if they’ve found a punter to replace Peter Mortell:
Claeys sounded positive and confident about the punting game, despite the departure of Peter Mortell.
Ryan Santoso is a strong candidate and could possibly be performing both the kicking and punting duties for the Gophers, according to Claeys.
Claeys also said a redshirt freshman punter from Battle Creek, Michigan, Jacob Herbers, a walk-on, “has a strong leg.” Herbers is presently a member of the Gopher baseball team.
4) Sid asked if they had offered scholarships to any walk-ons:
“Not since we last talked . . . last week,” Claeys replied.
5) Dave Mona asked if they planned to use some players as they did with KJ Maye at multiple positions, given some of the changes in the Gopher offense. As an example running backs who can catch the ball playing wide receiver:
By his response to Dave’s query, Gopher fans can expect to see some changes on offense. “At the end of the year we did with Shannon Brooks . . . could see two tailbacks (on the field at the same time) more than in the past.” He also said receivers Rashad Still and Melvin Holland could also be in the mix of playing in different receiving spots.
Claeys also cited Shannon Brooks throwing a touchdown pass, Rodney Smith’s pass catching abilities, and “Brandon Lingen could play in a lot of places.”
By having players at different positions on offense they want to “create havoc” for the opposing defenses, which you have to do in today's gamne, according to Claeys.
6) Sid wanted to know if the new players that reported for school in January and who have been participating in off-season workouts have impressed Claeys:
“They’ve set in where they need to be . . . working on their footwork,” Claeys answered. He sounded pleased in discussing the new players, and that they’re now primarily working on their footwork (overcoming things they did in high school that won’t work in Big 10 football).
He also stressed the importance of competition in improving their skill sets. Claeys said the new players are "competitors."
7) Dave Mona brought up the topic of recruiting and overcoming the perception of Minnesota being extremely cold. He said it’s too bad this weekend’s weather couldn’t have been experienced by potential recruits in the south. Dave also said the comments expressed by the announcers during the Vikings playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks couldn’t help but reinforce the mistaken idea of a frozen Minnesota in the minds of out-of-state recruits:
Claeys acknowledged that opposing coaches use the topic to promote (negative recruiting) the mistaken idea of how frigid it is in Minnesota. Claeys said he and his coaching staff continually remind recruits that they’re finished with the season around Thanksgiving and that the Big 10 Conference Title game is played in Indianapolis in a dome.
8) Sid’s final question was about signing additional walk-ons this year:
Claeys said there’s a chance that they could sign a couple now or possibly after spring drills have concluded. But there was nothing definitive in his response.
Go Gophers!!
