Coach Jerry Kill’s appearance on today’s Sports Huddle was at 10:30 a.m. The time change was due to the Golden Gophers practice schedule.
1) Sid opened by asking about yesterday’s practice and his thoughts on the team’s practices, especially after the scrimmage(s): “Had a mock scrimmage (without pads) yesterday,” replied Kill.
Kill said they had a 140 play scrimmage on Thursday. Some of the time was with the first liners (“a little bit”); however, more time was spent with the 2s and 3s. Coaching staff wanted to study the younger players as they build depth. Coach Kill proceeded to cite a number of first year players in his comments. The players listed and those that he sounded quite positive about are as follows: Steven Richardson, (DT); Andrew Stelter, (DE); Gaelin Elmore – “Doing a good job at DE; Jonathan Celestin, LB; Craig James, DB – “Outstanding camp;” Jerry Gibson, ATH – has practiced at the H-back position; Rodney Smith, RB –“outstanding camp.”
He spoke highly of redshirt freshman DB Daletavious McGhee – “has stood out.”
Kill said all of the above listed players will play this year and some have looked good on the Gophers special teams.
His final comment to Sid’s question: “A lot of good things from the young players.”
2) Dave Mona asked a follow-up question that was related to Gaelin Elmore and his move to defensive end. Mona also mentioned Elmore’s physical size: Kill said the first couple weeks Elmore practiced at the tight end position; however, he went onto speak about his athletic ability and that he’s too good of a player to be standing alongside him on the sidelines. (Depth at tight-end.) As to the move, “He’s going to play . . . wanted more depth in the defensive line . . . We recruited him as a tight-end; he’s an athlete . . . He’s up to 265 pounds; (eventually) probably play at 285.”
Kill said redshirt senior Harold Legania has been moved from defensive tackle to offensive lineman. Kill said the move probably should have been made last year.
3) Sid asked who makes the decision when it comes to position changes: (Laughing) Kill responded: “Coaches looking at all the players . . . get them in at right position . . . we look at special teams.” Kill said it’s an ongoing process. He doesn’t want to have quality athletes standing on the sidelines, but, rather, wants to get them on the field where they can produce and show their athletic abilities.
4) Dave Mona asked about first year players playing and the decision to redshirt others: Kill said the upcoming practices (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) will go a long way in their decisions as to who will play and who will redshirt in this year’s freshmen class. He also said injuries would play a part in their decision making, and after the fourth game only an emergency would lead to the burning of a redshirt.
Kill, once again, listed true freshmen that he expects will see the field this year, barring injuries: Steven Richardson, Gaelin Elmore, Andrew Stelter, Jonathon Celestin, Craig James, and Brandon Lingen at Tight-End. (Kill did not mention Rodney Smith’s name, which may have been an oversight, since he spoke highly of smith’s abilities and camp performance in his earlier comments.)
He finished the question saying there are several more true freshmen players that could be seeing the field this fall, “have to make decisions in the next 3-4 days.” (My guess, one or two of the freshmen receivers would be included in the yet to be named freshmen group that will see the field. Speaks to the quality of this year's freshmen class.)
5) Sid asked how many seniors are on this year’s team roster: Kill said there are around 22 seniors, “maybe 25-26; a couple will graduate and move on in their careers.”
Kill then proceeded to talk about the future of Golden Gopher football, “We’ve got good depth . . . recruiting is going pretty good . . . always have to replace players.” He sounded positive about the players that they’ve recruited and the depth that they’ve built across the board and the recruits that they’re honing in on.
6) Dave Mona mentioned offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Mat Limegrover being pleased with the offensive line and its pass protection: Kill said Jonah Pirsig has been nursing an injury for the past 4 or 5 days – “Nothing serious. Need to keep him healthy.” He also said Ben Lauer is nursing an ankle injury – again, “Not serious.”
He acknowledged the career ending injury and loss of Caleb Bak was a blow. That said, he said Josh Campion has been practicing three different positions and is prepared to step in where needed should the need arise.
Overall, Kill sounded very pleased with the depth and play of the offensive line, “They’ve done a real good job . . . they’ve worked hard.” (They came into camp ready to play. He likes their physical size and weight and their athletic ability and attitude.)
In closing, he said the team went to the Viking game last night, which they enjoyed very much.
7) Sid asked about the status of Cody Poock, LB: “He’s gone through a couple weeks without contact,” said Kill. “Hope to have him back for the Big 10 . . . . It’ll be up to the doctors and player . . . (we’ll do) what’s best for the player.” (Although he didn’t rule out the possibility of Poock seeing the field this fall, IMO, Kill didn’t sound too optimistic. I suspect he’ll be a redshirt this fall.)
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened by asking about yesterday’s practice and his thoughts on the team’s practices, especially after the scrimmage(s): “Had a mock scrimmage (without pads) yesterday,” replied Kill.
Kill said they had a 140 play scrimmage on Thursday. Some of the time was with the first liners (“a little bit”); however, more time was spent with the 2s and 3s. Coaching staff wanted to study the younger players as they build depth. Coach Kill proceeded to cite a number of first year players in his comments. The players listed and those that he sounded quite positive about are as follows: Steven Richardson, (DT); Andrew Stelter, (DE); Gaelin Elmore – “Doing a good job at DE; Jonathan Celestin, LB; Craig James, DB – “Outstanding camp;” Jerry Gibson, ATH – has practiced at the H-back position; Rodney Smith, RB –“outstanding camp.”
He spoke highly of redshirt freshman DB Daletavious McGhee – “has stood out.”
Kill said all of the above listed players will play this year and some have looked good on the Gophers special teams.
His final comment to Sid’s question: “A lot of good things from the young players.”
2) Dave Mona asked a follow-up question that was related to Gaelin Elmore and his move to defensive end. Mona also mentioned Elmore’s physical size: Kill said the first couple weeks Elmore practiced at the tight end position; however, he went onto speak about his athletic ability and that he’s too good of a player to be standing alongside him on the sidelines. (Depth at tight-end.) As to the move, “He’s going to play . . . wanted more depth in the defensive line . . . We recruited him as a tight-end; he’s an athlete . . . He’s up to 265 pounds; (eventually) probably play at 285.”
Kill said redshirt senior Harold Legania has been moved from defensive tackle to offensive lineman. Kill said the move probably should have been made last year.
3) Sid asked who makes the decision when it comes to position changes: (Laughing) Kill responded: “Coaches looking at all the players . . . get them in at right position . . . we look at special teams.” Kill said it’s an ongoing process. He doesn’t want to have quality athletes standing on the sidelines, but, rather, wants to get them on the field where they can produce and show their athletic abilities.
4) Dave Mona asked about first year players playing and the decision to redshirt others: Kill said the upcoming practices (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) will go a long way in their decisions as to who will play and who will redshirt in this year’s freshmen class. He also said injuries would play a part in their decision making, and after the fourth game only an emergency would lead to the burning of a redshirt.
Kill, once again, listed true freshmen that he expects will see the field this year, barring injuries: Steven Richardson, Gaelin Elmore, Andrew Stelter, Jonathon Celestin, Craig James, and Brandon Lingen at Tight-End. (Kill did not mention Rodney Smith’s name, which may have been an oversight, since he spoke highly of smith’s abilities and camp performance in his earlier comments.)
He finished the question saying there are several more true freshmen players that could be seeing the field this fall, “have to make decisions in the next 3-4 days.” (My guess, one or two of the freshmen receivers would be included in the yet to be named freshmen group that will see the field. Speaks to the quality of this year's freshmen class.)
5) Sid asked how many seniors are on this year’s team roster: Kill said there are around 22 seniors, “maybe 25-26; a couple will graduate and move on in their careers.”
Kill then proceeded to talk about the future of Golden Gopher football, “We’ve got good depth . . . recruiting is going pretty good . . . always have to replace players.” He sounded positive about the players that they’ve recruited and the depth that they’ve built across the board and the recruits that they’re honing in on.
6) Dave Mona mentioned offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Mat Limegrover being pleased with the offensive line and its pass protection: Kill said Jonah Pirsig has been nursing an injury for the past 4 or 5 days – “Nothing serious. Need to keep him healthy.” He also said Ben Lauer is nursing an ankle injury – again, “Not serious.”
He acknowledged the career ending injury and loss of Caleb Bak was a blow. That said, he said Josh Campion has been practicing three different positions and is prepared to step in where needed should the need arise.
Overall, Kill sounded very pleased with the depth and play of the offensive line, “They’ve done a real good job . . . they’ve worked hard.” (They came into camp ready to play. He likes their physical size and weight and their athletic ability and attitude.)
In closing, he said the team went to the Viking game last night, which they enjoyed very much.
7) Sid asked about the status of Cody Poock, LB: “He’s gone through a couple weeks without contact,” said Kill. “Hope to have him back for the Big 10 . . . . It’ll be up to the doctors and player . . . (we’ll do) what’s best for the player.” (Although he didn’t rule out the possibility of Poock seeing the field this fall, IMO, Kill didn’t sound too optimistic. I suspect he’ll be a redshirt this fall.)
Go Gophers!!
