Defensive Coordinator Tracy Claeys filled in for coach Jerry Kill on today's Sports Huddle. Kill was enroute on an air flight to an unannounced location. (Tracy Claeys said the national coaches convention is in Nashville, TN this week. So, maybe that's his flight destination.)
1) Sid opened by asking about recruiting: Claeys responded saying they're coming off the holidays and it's a "dead period" (no contact with recruits) until Thursday, after the coaches convention. The last three weeks will be extremely busy. Claeys said they'll be busy trying to hold on to their commitments and picking up a few more recruits: "We're recruiting to the very end."
2) Sid asked about redshirts that could provide immediate help: Claeys said they didn't redshirt a lot of players on defense. He then listed true freshmen (secondary players) that gained a lot of experience this past season: Eric Murray, Damarius Travis, and Antonio Johnson.
He then mentioned redshirt linebacker Jack Lynn. He sounded very high on Lynn. He also mentioned a defensive lineman (redshirt) Yoshoub Timms. Neither played this year and retained their redshirt status.
Lastly, he mentioned JUCO linebacker Damien Wilson. Wilson was his JUCO conference defensive player of the year. Claeys said Wilson has the size and speed to play all three linebacker positions. He's on campus for the spring semester and will participate in spring drills.
3) Dave Mona asked if Lamonte Edwards might return to the running back position: Claeys sounded high on Edwards; however, he also said he needs to have more reps in spring drills, so that he learns and is comfortable with the linebacker position. It sounded as though spring will be a pivotal time for Edwards. Claeys does not want to give up Edwards, however, it sounded as though if there isn't progress his return to the offensive side is a distinct possibility. (That's my take on what he said.)
4) Sid listed seniors that have used up their eligibility: Claeys, again, spoke highly about Eric Murray's potential at the corner back position. He also said they're deep at safeties and, if necessary, some of the players could play the corners.
He said recruiting defensive backs is a priority. They hope to sign 2-3 more secondary recruits.
5) Sid asked about the importance of the 15 days of practice for the Texas Bowl: "It made a huge difference." He focused most of his remarks on the redshirts that made the trip. During the season they spent most of the time running the opposition's offenses and defenses. But in Texas they focused on Minnesota's schemes, "They felt a part of the team, again." The coaches worked with the redshirts individually at the end of practices and went over their practice video tapes.
6) Dave Mona asked for more information on Jack Lynn: Claeys said the redshirted linebacker was signed out of Chicago and was on a team that reached the state's semi-finals. Lynn arrived on campus at 215 pounds; however, he's now about 235 pounds. He also said he has great length and weight, "Spring will be important for him."
7) Sid tried to get some information about QB competition next year: Claeys said you have to recruit QBs and tailbacks every year. He concluded saying the backups aren't happy serving as backups and often transfer. That's why it's important to recruit QBs and tailbacks every year.
8) Claeys closed by talking about recruiting the southern states hard. They do a lot of evaluation of high school players in their spring drills. They got in on players that weren't high profiles, but now are being recruited hard by other schools because of their senior year and all-star game performances. The recruits, when they get them on campus, love the Twin Cities, the school and coaches. He sounded positive about this year's recruiting, however, he acknowledged the next three weeks are crucial - keeping their current commitments and picking up a few more recruits for positions of need.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened by asking about recruiting: Claeys responded saying they're coming off the holidays and it's a "dead period" (no contact with recruits) until Thursday, after the coaches convention. The last three weeks will be extremely busy. Claeys said they'll be busy trying to hold on to their commitments and picking up a few more recruits: "We're recruiting to the very end."
2) Sid asked about redshirts that could provide immediate help: Claeys said they didn't redshirt a lot of players on defense. He then listed true freshmen (secondary players) that gained a lot of experience this past season: Eric Murray, Damarius Travis, and Antonio Johnson.
He then mentioned redshirt linebacker Jack Lynn. He sounded very high on Lynn. He also mentioned a defensive lineman (redshirt) Yoshoub Timms. Neither played this year and retained their redshirt status.
Lastly, he mentioned JUCO linebacker Damien Wilson. Wilson was his JUCO conference defensive player of the year. Claeys said Wilson has the size and speed to play all three linebacker positions. He's on campus for the spring semester and will participate in spring drills.
3) Dave Mona asked if Lamonte Edwards might return to the running back position: Claeys sounded high on Edwards; however, he also said he needs to have more reps in spring drills, so that he learns and is comfortable with the linebacker position. It sounded as though spring will be a pivotal time for Edwards. Claeys does not want to give up Edwards, however, it sounded as though if there isn't progress his return to the offensive side is a distinct possibility. (That's my take on what he said.)
4) Sid listed seniors that have used up their eligibility: Claeys, again, spoke highly about Eric Murray's potential at the corner back position. He also said they're deep at safeties and, if necessary, some of the players could play the corners.
He said recruiting defensive backs is a priority. They hope to sign 2-3 more secondary recruits.
5) Sid asked about the importance of the 15 days of practice for the Texas Bowl: "It made a huge difference." He focused most of his remarks on the redshirts that made the trip. During the season they spent most of the time running the opposition's offenses and defenses. But in Texas they focused on Minnesota's schemes, "They felt a part of the team, again." The coaches worked with the redshirts individually at the end of practices and went over their practice video tapes.
6) Dave Mona asked for more information on Jack Lynn: Claeys said the redshirted linebacker was signed out of Chicago and was on a team that reached the state's semi-finals. Lynn arrived on campus at 215 pounds; however, he's now about 235 pounds. He also said he has great length and weight, "Spring will be important for him."
7) Sid tried to get some information about QB competition next year: Claeys said you have to recruit QBs and tailbacks every year. He concluded saying the backups aren't happy serving as backups and often transfer. That's why it's important to recruit QBs and tailbacks every year.
8) Claeys closed by talking about recruiting the southern states hard. They do a lot of evaluation of high school players in their spring drills. They got in on players that weren't high profiles, but now are being recruited hard by other schools because of their senior year and all-star game performances. The recruits, when they get them on campus, love the Twin Cities, the school and coaches. He sounded positive about this year's recruiting, however, he acknowledged the next three weeks are crucial - keeping their current commitments and picking up a few more recruits for positions of need.
Go Gophers!!
