Coach Kill was on the Sports Huddle for a half-hour today. He sounded enthused and excited about this year’s recruiting class.
Dave Mona asked many of the questions that GopherHolers submitted this week.
1) Sid’s first questioned was about former Gopher, Tyrone Carter. He wanted to know if Carter was joining the coaching staff: Kill quickly replied, “No. I haven’t heard anything about that . . . haven’t lost any staff members, (however) moved some up . . . he’s a good guy.”
2) Sid asked about the reception Kill received from parents and recruits concerning his seizure difficulties: “Every house we visited I was very honest . . . everybody has issues . . . people understood,” Kill answered. Kill made it sound as though it wasn’t an issue and that he turned what could be a negative into a positive – being honest and up front with the recruits and parents.
3) Sid asked for Kill’s overview and thoughts about this year’s class: Kill responded, “Got a lot of speed and length.” He sounded excited when talking about the skill positions: “Three wide receivers . . . tight ends that can be receivers . . . two excellent running backs . . . (sounded positive when talking about offensive line) . . . Defense: did well on defensive line . . . three outstanding linebackers . . . one defensive back; (Kill said they have a lot coming back, so they only took one defensive back) will go for more defensive backs next year.”
4) Sid asked if he sees some of the recruits playing next fall: “Yes, I do! . . . prediction hard to do . . . those that can handle the summer grind (big adjustment from high school to college) . . . a lot of talent (in this year’s class),” said Kill.
5) Dave Mona asked about the importance of Junior Day events (one is occurring today): Kill replied: “This is when you build relationships . . . get them on campus and get them to camp (summer camps in June).” Kill, again, stressed the importance of evaluation and the summer camps, especially for those that don’t have spring drills as they do in the south. He also said junior days are a good time to get athletes on campus within a day’s drive to
the Twin Cities. Evaluation is their stock and trade.
6) Sid asked if there are redshirts that he expects to help the team next fall: Kill immediately mentioned with excitement Berkley Edwards. “Lightning in a bottle . . . runs a 10.5 (hundred meters) . . . (can use him on) speed sweeps and outside receiver . . . he can make people miss,” said Kill.
7) Dave Mona asked about the three incoming tight ends, and he referenced Kirk Ferentz about recruiting tight ends that became excellent offensive linemen: Kill responded, “Don’t know what’s going to happen.” He then spoke briefly about the three tight end recruits:
a) “Brandon Lingen is 6-5 and 245 pounds.”
b) “Gaelin Elmore (Kill sounded very excited), 6-6 240 . . . no question (speaking about his ability - can
play) Tight end, H-back, receiver. . .(is very) athletic.”
c) “Jerry Gibson can do a lot of things.”
8) Sid asked about Demonic McKinzy, quarterback from Kansas City. Sid said he had talked to assistant coach Bill Miller who is excited about his ability: “We’re high on all of our kids,” Kill quickly replied. Kill said McKinzy is 6-0 and 215 pounds. Comes from a good school and has been coached up, “Excellent worker . . . looking forward to seeing him in spring.” He also said Mitch Leidner and Chris Streveler have been working with and helping McKinzy since his arrival on campus for the winter semester.
9) Sid asked about team injuries and if some players would be withheld this spring: Kill said: “10-12 won’t go through spring ball . . . get them healed up . . . spring ball is for the young guys (he also said for the upperclassmen that haven’t seen a lot of action).” He stressed they needed get the injured healed and ready for August 1 practice.
Kill then, once again, said they were doing things differently this year (schedule wise). In making the change in practices, the team will have five weeks in the weight room before school ends. It was a point of emphasis.
10) Dave Mona asked about wide receiver Conner Krizancic's athleticism and his skills as a quarterback, which he played this past season: Kill said about Krizancic: “Wide receiver as a junior . . . dad is head basketball coach (at the high school and “Conner scored 26 points the other night”) . . . 6-2 200 pounds . . . tough kid.” Kill sounded excited about Conner’s athletic abilities; however, he did not say anything about the quarterback position. It sounded as though he’ll play the wide receiver position.
11) Sid asked about the team’s improvement last season: Kill focused on the play and improvement of Drew Wolitarsky and Donavahn Jones. He said they had a lot to learn and they improved a lot as the season progressed.
Other players cited as improving and having great potential: Max Williams and Thieren Cockran. He expects Cockran to be an all-conference player at defensive end.
Kill closed the question saying they improved their team with this year’s recruiting class, “Biggest thing, we achieved our needs – skill players and receivers."
12) Dave Mona asked if Kill’s wife, Rebecca, will join him on the recruiting trail next year, and Rebecca being a big asset in recruiting this year: “A lot of that had to do with my situation,” Kill said. (NCAA approved Rebecca traveling with Coach Kill this year, and it remains to be seen if that’s the case next year.) Kill also said it was an education for Rebecca to be on the recruiting trail this year.
13) Sid sang the praises of this year’s walk-on contingent: “I don’t like to use that word (referring to walk-on),” said Kill. This past year seven players have scholarships that came to Minnesota as walk-ons. He specifically mention Peter Mortell earning a scholarship . . . “We take care of the kids . . . we got some good ones; (they) are critical for next year . . . Jacque Perra was huge for us . . . we’re excited.”
14) Sid asked if Chris Streveler will be back for spring ball at quarterback: Kill said Streveler’s hand is healing up and will be ready for spring drills at quarterback. He said Mitch Leidner has been working with Chris during the off-season voluntary drills. Kill mentioned Leidner’s name a couple times during the show. He sounded pleased with the leadership that he’s shown.
15) Dave Mona asked if the offensive and defensive coaches talk about the recruits and the possibility of position changes: Kill quickly responded, “Don’t want great players standing next to you on game day.” They try to get the best athletes/players on the field. The coaches do discuss the players and their abilities. He cited Eric Murray. Eric was recruited as a receiver but was moved to defensive back because of the ability he displayed at the secondary position.
Coach Kill will be on the Sports Huddle next week for ten minutes starting 10:05 a.m.
Go Gophers!!
Dave Mona asked many of the questions that GopherHolers submitted this week.
1) Sid’s first questioned was about former Gopher, Tyrone Carter. He wanted to know if Carter was joining the coaching staff: Kill quickly replied, “No. I haven’t heard anything about that . . . haven’t lost any staff members, (however) moved some up . . . he’s a good guy.”
2) Sid asked about the reception Kill received from parents and recruits concerning his seizure difficulties: “Every house we visited I was very honest . . . everybody has issues . . . people understood,” Kill answered. Kill made it sound as though it wasn’t an issue and that he turned what could be a negative into a positive – being honest and up front with the recruits and parents.
3) Sid asked for Kill’s overview and thoughts about this year’s class: Kill responded, “Got a lot of speed and length.” He sounded excited when talking about the skill positions: “Three wide receivers . . . tight ends that can be receivers . . . two excellent running backs . . . (sounded positive when talking about offensive line) . . . Defense: did well on defensive line . . . three outstanding linebackers . . . one defensive back; (Kill said they have a lot coming back, so they only took one defensive back) will go for more defensive backs next year.”
4) Sid asked if he sees some of the recruits playing next fall: “Yes, I do! . . . prediction hard to do . . . those that can handle the summer grind (big adjustment from high school to college) . . . a lot of talent (in this year’s class),” said Kill.
5) Dave Mona asked about the importance of Junior Day events (one is occurring today): Kill replied: “This is when you build relationships . . . get them on campus and get them to camp (summer camps in June).” Kill, again, stressed the importance of evaluation and the summer camps, especially for those that don’t have spring drills as they do in the south. He also said junior days are a good time to get athletes on campus within a day’s drive to
the Twin Cities. Evaluation is their stock and trade.
6) Sid asked if there are redshirts that he expects to help the team next fall: Kill immediately mentioned with excitement Berkley Edwards. “Lightning in a bottle . . . runs a 10.5 (hundred meters) . . . (can use him on) speed sweeps and outside receiver . . . he can make people miss,” said Kill.
7) Dave Mona asked about the three incoming tight ends, and he referenced Kirk Ferentz about recruiting tight ends that became excellent offensive linemen: Kill responded, “Don’t know what’s going to happen.” He then spoke briefly about the three tight end recruits:
a) “Brandon Lingen is 6-5 and 245 pounds.”
b) “Gaelin Elmore (Kill sounded very excited), 6-6 240 . . . no question (speaking about his ability - can
play) Tight end, H-back, receiver. . .(is very) athletic.”
c) “Jerry Gibson can do a lot of things.”
8) Sid asked about Demonic McKinzy, quarterback from Kansas City. Sid said he had talked to assistant coach Bill Miller who is excited about his ability: “We’re high on all of our kids,” Kill quickly replied. Kill said McKinzy is 6-0 and 215 pounds. Comes from a good school and has been coached up, “Excellent worker . . . looking forward to seeing him in spring.” He also said Mitch Leidner and Chris Streveler have been working with and helping McKinzy since his arrival on campus for the winter semester.
9) Sid asked about team injuries and if some players would be withheld this spring: Kill said: “10-12 won’t go through spring ball . . . get them healed up . . . spring ball is for the young guys (he also said for the upperclassmen that haven’t seen a lot of action).” He stressed they needed get the injured healed and ready for August 1 practice.
Kill then, once again, said they were doing things differently this year (schedule wise). In making the change in practices, the team will have five weeks in the weight room before school ends. It was a point of emphasis.
10) Dave Mona asked about wide receiver Conner Krizancic's athleticism and his skills as a quarterback, which he played this past season: Kill said about Krizancic: “Wide receiver as a junior . . . dad is head basketball coach (at the high school and “Conner scored 26 points the other night”) . . . 6-2 200 pounds . . . tough kid.” Kill sounded excited about Conner’s athletic abilities; however, he did not say anything about the quarterback position. It sounded as though he’ll play the wide receiver position.
11) Sid asked about the team’s improvement last season: Kill focused on the play and improvement of Drew Wolitarsky and Donavahn Jones. He said they had a lot to learn and they improved a lot as the season progressed.
Other players cited as improving and having great potential: Max Williams and Thieren Cockran. He expects Cockran to be an all-conference player at defensive end.
Kill closed the question saying they improved their team with this year’s recruiting class, “Biggest thing, we achieved our needs – skill players and receivers."
12) Dave Mona asked if Kill’s wife, Rebecca, will join him on the recruiting trail next year, and Rebecca being a big asset in recruiting this year: “A lot of that had to do with my situation,” Kill said. (NCAA approved Rebecca traveling with Coach Kill this year, and it remains to be seen if that’s the case next year.) Kill also said it was an education for Rebecca to be on the recruiting trail this year.
13) Sid sang the praises of this year’s walk-on contingent: “I don’t like to use that word (referring to walk-on),” said Kill. This past year seven players have scholarships that came to Minnesota as walk-ons. He specifically mention Peter Mortell earning a scholarship . . . “We take care of the kids . . . we got some good ones; (they) are critical for next year . . . Jacque Perra was huge for us . . . we’re excited.”
14) Sid asked if Chris Streveler will be back for spring ball at quarterback: Kill said Streveler’s hand is healing up and will be ready for spring drills at quarterback. He said Mitch Leidner has been working with Chris during the off-season voluntary drills. Kill mentioned Leidner’s name a couple times during the show. He sounded pleased with the leadership that he’s shown.
15) Dave Mona asked if the offensive and defensive coaches talk about the recruits and the possibility of position changes: Kill quickly responded, “Don’t want great players standing next to you on game day.” They try to get the best athletes/players on the field. The coaches do discuss the players and their abilities. He cited Eric Murray. Eric was recruited as a receiver but was moved to defensive back because of the ability he displayed at the secondary position.
Coach Kill will be on the Sports Huddle next week for ten minutes starting 10:05 a.m.
Go Gophers!!
