Primary focus of the Coach Tracy Claeys segment on today’s Sports Huddle was recruiting, including those that are on campus now and medical redshirts.
1) Sid’s first question was related to Minnesota's recruiting leading up to this year's National Signing Day in February:
Claeys answered, “Things are going well . . . working on the last few (slots available) . . . handful (recruits) in this weekend and a handful next weekend . . . We’ll have a great class.”
2) Sid asked what positions were they looking at specifically:
“Basically recruiting the whole class (positions),” Claeys replied. As far as the last remaining slots, “at the end, best (players) available."
Claeys sounded very positive when discussing this year’s class. They wanted to have a balanced class and he believes they’ve achieved their goal. Depth as well as recent classes has allowed them to focus on the class in general and “not load up” at any one position.
3) Sid asked what redshirts he expects to have an immediate impact on the 2016 team:
Two names he cited for the secondary are Southfield, Michigan natives Ray Buford and Dior Johnson. He was pleased that they could be redshirted – depth in the secondary in 2015 - and sounded excited when discussing their abilities as defensive backs.
He also sounded upbeat with the development of linebacker Jaylen Waters from Copperas Cove, Texas. Claeys said the experience and depth at linebacker will benefit Waters in being comfortable and in learning and reacting quickly to action on the field.
Two additional players that Claeys mentioned in his comments were defensive linemen from Mobile, Alabama (Murphy High School) – Moses Hall and Gary Moore. Moore was redshirted last year – “great year developing” - after having played as a freshman, because of need in the defensive front as a result of injuries.
4) Dave Mona asked if Charles “Ace” Rogers would get a medical redshirt because of getting injured early last year. And Dave also asked Claeys to comment about redshirt running backs James Johannesson of Fargo, North Dakota and Jonathan Femi-Cole of Vaughan, Ontario, Canada:
Claeys sounded positive about the two running backs and their abilities, “We’ll get them a lot of carries in spring (drills).” Because of Rodney Smith, Shannon Brooks and Rodrick Williams, they were happy that they could redshirt the two running backs.
As far as Charles “Ace” Rogers getting a medical redshirt, Claeys sounded less certain (IMO): “We’ll try. (We) filed paperwork to get his year back.”
5) Dave Mona’s second question was about Seth Green and Thomas Barber, mid-year enrollees who will participate in spring drills:
Claeys said they had Barber in their summer camp and he impressed the staff when they evaluated him. Looking at Barber from the "outside", one might not be impressed because of his height and apparent speed, according to coach Claeys. But they’re excited about his abilities at linebacker: “He’ll have a great career,” Claeys said. He also stressed the importance of summer camps, especially for Minnesota high school players since there is no spring ball, as there is in the southern high schools.
“Seth Green has what you want in a quarterback – running and throwing,” Claeys remarked. He went on to say “we’re excited” that he signed with Minnesota and that they are looking forward to seeing him in spring drills.
In talking about Green’s play in high school in Texas this past fall, Claeys sounded quite positive about his throwing and his running. He mentioned a seventy-plus yard run for a touchdown.
6) Sid asked about “players hurt” that will be back in 2016:
The player that Claeys discussed is Damarius Travis. According to Claeys, Damarius was hurt in the TCU game. Travis hadn’t had a redshirt year, so they were able to get his redshirt year in last season. Claeys said Damarius Travis will bring experience and leadership to the secondary, which will be beneficial to the younger players.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid’s first question was related to Minnesota's recruiting leading up to this year's National Signing Day in February:
Claeys answered, “Things are going well . . . working on the last few (slots available) . . . handful (recruits) in this weekend and a handful next weekend . . . We’ll have a great class.”
2) Sid asked what positions were they looking at specifically:
“Basically recruiting the whole class (positions),” Claeys replied. As far as the last remaining slots, “at the end, best (players) available."
Claeys sounded very positive when discussing this year’s class. They wanted to have a balanced class and he believes they’ve achieved their goal. Depth as well as recent classes has allowed them to focus on the class in general and “not load up” at any one position.
3) Sid asked what redshirts he expects to have an immediate impact on the 2016 team:
Two names he cited for the secondary are Southfield, Michigan natives Ray Buford and Dior Johnson. He was pleased that they could be redshirted – depth in the secondary in 2015 - and sounded excited when discussing their abilities as defensive backs.
He also sounded upbeat with the development of linebacker Jaylen Waters from Copperas Cove, Texas. Claeys said the experience and depth at linebacker will benefit Waters in being comfortable and in learning and reacting quickly to action on the field.
Two additional players that Claeys mentioned in his comments were defensive linemen from Mobile, Alabama (Murphy High School) – Moses Hall and Gary Moore. Moore was redshirted last year – “great year developing” - after having played as a freshman, because of need in the defensive front as a result of injuries.
4) Dave Mona asked if Charles “Ace” Rogers would get a medical redshirt because of getting injured early last year. And Dave also asked Claeys to comment about redshirt running backs James Johannesson of Fargo, North Dakota and Jonathan Femi-Cole of Vaughan, Ontario, Canada:
Claeys sounded positive about the two running backs and their abilities, “We’ll get them a lot of carries in spring (drills).” Because of Rodney Smith, Shannon Brooks and Rodrick Williams, they were happy that they could redshirt the two running backs.
As far as Charles “Ace” Rogers getting a medical redshirt, Claeys sounded less certain (IMO): “We’ll try. (We) filed paperwork to get his year back.”
5) Dave Mona’s second question was about Seth Green and Thomas Barber, mid-year enrollees who will participate in spring drills:
Claeys said they had Barber in their summer camp and he impressed the staff when they evaluated him. Looking at Barber from the "outside", one might not be impressed because of his height and apparent speed, according to coach Claeys. But they’re excited about his abilities at linebacker: “He’ll have a great career,” Claeys said. He also stressed the importance of summer camps, especially for Minnesota high school players since there is no spring ball, as there is in the southern high schools.
“Seth Green has what you want in a quarterback – running and throwing,” Claeys remarked. He went on to say “we’re excited” that he signed with Minnesota and that they are looking forward to seeing him in spring drills.
In talking about Green’s play in high school in Texas this past fall, Claeys sounded quite positive about his throwing and his running. He mentioned a seventy-plus yard run for a touchdown.
6) Sid asked about “players hurt” that will be back in 2016:
The player that Claeys discussed is Damarius Travis. According to Claeys, Damarius was hurt in the TCU game. Travis hadn’t had a redshirt year, so they were able to get his redshirt year in last season. Claeys said Damarius Travis will bring experience and leadership to the secondary, which will be beneficial to the younger players.
Go Gophers!!
