Coach Jerry Kill – despite being disappointed with the bowl loss to Missouri – sounded upbeat about the current team, recruiting, and the future of the program.
The first questions were asked by Dave Mona.
1) Dave asked Coach Kill for his thoughts on the loss to Missouri: Kill replied, “It’s been tough . . . one of the toughest losses (in Kill’s long career) . . . Game decided by five to six situations . . . (Missouri) out executed (us).”
On a positive note, Kill said: “Kids played hard (in bowl game) . . . Great run with the seniors – they’ve accomplished a lot.”
2) Dave cited a comment about Mitch Leidner’s leadership that was given by Isaac Fruechte, “First player at practice:” Kill sounding positive and upbeat regarding Leidner’s ability and his future at quarterback: “Our kids understand how good Mitch will be.” In the loss to Missouri, (Mitch) “Threw the ball effectively.”
Kill spoke highly of the Tigers defensive ends. According to Kill, he hasn’t seen a team with two outstanding defensive ends on the field at the same time, as Missouri had in the Citrus Bowl: “Best defensive ends since I’ve been coaching.” As a result, Mitch had a ball stripped that led to a fumble and another when he was "hit hard."
3) Dave brought up Missouri’s successful onside kick to open the second half: “Reminds me of what we did to Iowa,” replied Kill, “perfect execution.”
4) Sid asked if Kill was surprised that Maxx Williams decided to forego another year with Gophers and opted to put his name in the upcoming NFL Draft: Kill quickly answered: “Nah . . . I visited with the family . . . Gave all the information that we can (assessing his chances at the next level) . . . Realistically, you plan for those things (players leaving early) . . . Excited for him and his family.”
Kill also acknowledged that when a player does well and leaves school early for the NFL, it (perception) benefits the program in recruiting.
5) Sid asked what the tight end position will look like next year: “Feel very good,” said Kill. He then cited three players that will be vying for the starting position. He sounded excited with two players in particular: “Jerry Gibson – 6’4 235 and can run, (can play) receiver, tight end and H-back . . . Duke Anyanwu will be a great player.” He also mentioned Nate Wozniak at tight end.
He finished optimistically, “Plus we’ll have some very good wide outs.” He was referring to redshirt receivers that he has been trumpeting on recent shows.
6) Sid asked if Leidner had been recruited as a tight end: Kill said he was recruited as a quarterback, a position he played in high school. He also said Duke Anyanwu was recruited as a quarterback; however, he’s now a tight end.
He closed the question saying they recruit the best players they can and develop them and build them up in the weight room.
7) Talking about redshirt prospects for the squad in 2015, other than the three wide receivers mentioned earlier, Kill cited Jerry Gibson, running backs, Rodney Smith, Jeff Jones, Berkley Edwards and Roderick Williams. He sounded excited when he mentioned the running backs and Jerry Gibson.
He also referenced the fact that a lot of freshmen saw the field on the defensive side of the ball, and he closed, “Excited. We’ll be a better team next year.”
8) Dave asked how many recruits will sign this year: “We’ll have 25 scholarships,” replied Kill. He also said they plan to sign another athletic tight end and that they’re looking at two potential recruits.
9) Dave brought up the topic of recruiting, the high school all-star games in Florida, and the benefit of playing in Florida and in a January 1 bowl game: “No question,” said Kill, (high school) head coach coaches came to the practices . . . (National attention) Gives us a chance to add good players.”
10) Sid asked if the coaches plan to add another player that could be available for spring drills: Kill told Sid that they need to be in school (second semester) in order to be able to practice in the spring. He also said he doesn’t expect to sign another recruit that could enter school in January.
11) Dave asked about Cody Poock’s availability at linebacker next season: Kill said Poock has three years of eligibility and has been practicing for a long time, and he would’ve helped the team in Orlando.
Kill’s final comment in answering Mona’s query: “Defensively, lose three good players . . . got some back (that) were injured . . . Our future is very good!”
12) Sid brought up the topic of next year’s schedule: Kill responded, “TCU may be ranked one or two, will be in the top four.” He added, “This year was challenging down the stretch . . . We’ve gained some respect because who we beat.”
13) Dave asked about the Michigan hire, Jim Harbaugh: Kill didn’t have much to say about the hire, except, “Know his dad very well.” He knows Jim’s father who was coaching at Western Kentucky when Kill was the head coach at Southern Illinois University.”
14) Coach Kill was asked, again, about next year’s squad: “We’ll be better next year . . . gained confidence . . . talent wise we’ll have a ton back . . . Mitch, a year older,” said Kill with confidence.
15) Sid asked about the center position next year: Kill said several players gained experience this year, including Alex Mayes and Brian Bobek, and Jon Christenson is back from surgery. Christenson played in the Citrus Bowl. He also sounded positive about a recruit (no name given) that will be coming in.
Go Gophers!!
The first questions were asked by Dave Mona.
1) Dave asked Coach Kill for his thoughts on the loss to Missouri: Kill replied, “It’s been tough . . . one of the toughest losses (in Kill’s long career) . . . Game decided by five to six situations . . . (Missouri) out executed (us).”
On a positive note, Kill said: “Kids played hard (in bowl game) . . . Great run with the seniors – they’ve accomplished a lot.”
2) Dave cited a comment about Mitch Leidner’s leadership that was given by Isaac Fruechte, “First player at practice:” Kill sounding positive and upbeat regarding Leidner’s ability and his future at quarterback: “Our kids understand how good Mitch will be.” In the loss to Missouri, (Mitch) “Threw the ball effectively.”
Kill spoke highly of the Tigers defensive ends. According to Kill, he hasn’t seen a team with two outstanding defensive ends on the field at the same time, as Missouri had in the Citrus Bowl: “Best defensive ends since I’ve been coaching.” As a result, Mitch had a ball stripped that led to a fumble and another when he was "hit hard."
3) Dave brought up Missouri’s successful onside kick to open the second half: “Reminds me of what we did to Iowa,” replied Kill, “perfect execution.”
4) Sid asked if Kill was surprised that Maxx Williams decided to forego another year with Gophers and opted to put his name in the upcoming NFL Draft: Kill quickly answered: “Nah . . . I visited with the family . . . Gave all the information that we can (assessing his chances at the next level) . . . Realistically, you plan for those things (players leaving early) . . . Excited for him and his family.”
Kill also acknowledged that when a player does well and leaves school early for the NFL, it (perception) benefits the program in recruiting.
5) Sid asked what the tight end position will look like next year: “Feel very good,” said Kill. He then cited three players that will be vying for the starting position. He sounded excited with two players in particular: “Jerry Gibson – 6’4 235 and can run, (can play) receiver, tight end and H-back . . . Duke Anyanwu will be a great player.” He also mentioned Nate Wozniak at tight end.
He finished optimistically, “Plus we’ll have some very good wide outs.” He was referring to redshirt receivers that he has been trumpeting on recent shows.
6) Sid asked if Leidner had been recruited as a tight end: Kill said he was recruited as a quarterback, a position he played in high school. He also said Duke Anyanwu was recruited as a quarterback; however, he’s now a tight end.
He closed the question saying they recruit the best players they can and develop them and build them up in the weight room.
7) Talking about redshirt prospects for the squad in 2015, other than the three wide receivers mentioned earlier, Kill cited Jerry Gibson, running backs, Rodney Smith, Jeff Jones, Berkley Edwards and Roderick Williams. He sounded excited when he mentioned the running backs and Jerry Gibson.
He also referenced the fact that a lot of freshmen saw the field on the defensive side of the ball, and he closed, “Excited. We’ll be a better team next year.”
8) Dave asked how many recruits will sign this year: “We’ll have 25 scholarships,” replied Kill. He also said they plan to sign another athletic tight end and that they’re looking at two potential recruits.
9) Dave brought up the topic of recruiting, the high school all-star games in Florida, and the benefit of playing in Florida and in a January 1 bowl game: “No question,” said Kill, (high school) head coach coaches came to the practices . . . (National attention) Gives us a chance to add good players.”
10) Sid asked if the coaches plan to add another player that could be available for spring drills: Kill told Sid that they need to be in school (second semester) in order to be able to practice in the spring. He also said he doesn’t expect to sign another recruit that could enter school in January.
11) Dave asked about Cody Poock’s availability at linebacker next season: Kill said Poock has three years of eligibility and has been practicing for a long time, and he would’ve helped the team in Orlando.
Kill’s final comment in answering Mona’s query: “Defensively, lose three good players . . . got some back (that) were injured . . . Our future is very good!”
12) Sid brought up the topic of next year’s schedule: Kill responded, “TCU may be ranked one or two, will be in the top four.” He added, “This year was challenging down the stretch . . . We’ve gained some respect because who we beat.”
13) Dave asked about the Michigan hire, Jim Harbaugh: Kill didn’t have much to say about the hire, except, “Know his dad very well.” He knows Jim’s father who was coaching at Western Kentucky when Kill was the head coach at Southern Illinois University.”
14) Coach Kill was asked, again, about next year’s squad: “We’ll be better next year . . . gained confidence . . . talent wise we’ll have a ton back . . . Mitch, a year older,” said Kill with confidence.
15) Sid asked about the center position next year: Kill said several players gained experience this year, including Alex Mayes and Brian Bobek, and Jon Christenson is back from surgery. Christenson played in the Citrus Bowl. He also sounded positive about a recruit (no name given) that will be coming in.
Go Gophers!!
