Tracy Claeys talked about recruiting, benefits of a potential bowl game, position changes/evaluations and hiring new assistants on today’s Sports Huddle.
1) Sid opened the segment asking about a possible bowl bid and the likelihood of playing in the post season (December):
“We’re not a 100% sure, but it looks good,” Claeys answered. He added, they’ll know this afternoon when the bowls announce their selections. (If I’m not mistaken, selections will be announced at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN.)
2) Sid asked a couple times how recruiting is going this year:
Claeys replied, “Recruiting is going great . . . We have a great list . . . We’ll have a class that’ll make us a better team.”
Although he couldn’t give any names (recruits), Claeys said with the coaching changes that were announced last week and that need to be filled, departures or decommitments can be the result of “both sides” - recruits and coaches.
3) Sid asked about new additions to the coaching staff:
Claeys was quick in his response, “We’re busy recruiting.” They were out recruiting last week and will be out again this week, until December 14. The short window of recruiting on the road has been their primary focus; however, Claeys hastened to add that he gives some thought about hiring two new coaches at night or when there is a free moment to think about coaches who have expressed an interest in the two vacancies. Claeys continued, “Taking a lot of emails and calls from coaches interested.”
4) Sid asked about running back Berkley Edward and Jeff Jones:
Claeys said Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith had outstanding seasons. Nevertheless, at the conclusion of the bowls, they’ll start focusing on next season and spring ball. Spring practice is concerned with position and not depth, so all players will have an opportunity to show what they can do. “Jeff is really talented . . . two kids (Jones and Edwards) will be in the mix . . . a new opportunity.”
5) Sid asked if any of the injured players will be available, if a bowl is offered:
Claeys responded, “I hope so . . . we’ll see.” Two names given that possibly would be back for a bowl game, according to Claeys, are defensive back Jalen Myrick and defensive tackle Steve Richardson and possibly “a couple others.”
6) Dave Mona asked if they were going to look at some position changes after the bowl season:
Although he didn’t give any specifics, Claeys indicated the first two or three practices in bowl preparations would be an opportunity for some players to try and see if they could handle a new position or two. The first few days would be spent on evaluation.
7) Sid asked if Josh Campion would be back for a bowl game:
Claeys was quick in his response to Sid’s query: “I don’t think so.” He added there are three or four players with concussion-related injuries that are in similar situations as Campion.
8) Dave Mona mentioned quarterback Demry Croft when he asked about Chris Streveler on the depth chart and his move to wide receiver:
“Working more at receiver . . . learning how to play receiver . . . working hard, getting more comfortable,” Claeys said.
9) Dave Mona asked about linebacker Nick Rallis’s playing time, especially after leading the team in tackles against Wisconsin:
Claeys sounded pleased and upbeat when he discussed Nick’s play against Wisconsin. “Oh yeah . . . Nick’s been banged up with his knee . . . It’s all about opportunity . . . great day for him against Wisconsin.”
10) Dave Mona wanted to know about selling a recruit on playing at Minnesota when they’re on campus and there’s snow and cold temperatures:
(Laughing) Claeys said you always want it to be mild with grass showing -anytime there are recruits visiting. He quickly added, 75% of the on campus visits will have taken place by the end of the December.
A couple recruits are visiting this weekend and there'll be a few more next weekend, including commitments from Minnesota.
11) Dave Mona asked about parents receiving aid to attend a bowl game:
“Ohio State opened the gate (potential aid),” Claeys answered. The Buckeyes pushed for aid in last year’s playoff games. Claeys was not sure if the practice will extend to the teams playing in the bowl games. Claeys is in favor of the practice, “any way we can help the parents and kids.”
12) The topic of last night’s championship game between the Hawkeyes and Spartans was raised:
Claeys said that prior to and during the season all talk was on how balanced and how tough the East Division is. He said both Divisions are good (as shown last night). “Enjoyed watching the game.”
On a positive and promising note, Claeys said, “We’re right there, must get healthy.”
13) Dave Mona asked about Mitch Leidner playing hurt and getting healthy for a bowl game:
“Mitch is banged up . . . will need surgery in the off-season on his foot,” Claeys said.
Claeys went on to say a bowl game would be an opportunity for the seniors to go out with a win. (He said it would be a fourth straight bowl game for the Gophers, but they haven’t won any of the previous tilts.)
14) Sid’s final question was recruiting-related. He wanted to know if this year’s recruits can replace the holes left by the graduating seniors:
Claeys said they’ll sign close to 25 players, as allowed by NCAA recruiting rules and regulations. As to Sid’s specific question, “We can fill those holes.”
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the segment asking about a possible bowl bid and the likelihood of playing in the post season (December):
“We’re not a 100% sure, but it looks good,” Claeys answered. He added, they’ll know this afternoon when the bowls announce their selections. (If I’m not mistaken, selections will be announced at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN.)
2) Sid asked a couple times how recruiting is going this year:
Claeys replied, “Recruiting is going great . . . We have a great list . . . We’ll have a class that’ll make us a better team.”
Although he couldn’t give any names (recruits), Claeys said with the coaching changes that were announced last week and that need to be filled, departures or decommitments can be the result of “both sides” - recruits and coaches.
3) Sid asked about new additions to the coaching staff:
Claeys was quick in his response, “We’re busy recruiting.” They were out recruiting last week and will be out again this week, until December 14. The short window of recruiting on the road has been their primary focus; however, Claeys hastened to add that he gives some thought about hiring two new coaches at night or when there is a free moment to think about coaches who have expressed an interest in the two vacancies. Claeys continued, “Taking a lot of emails and calls from coaches interested.”
4) Sid asked about running back Berkley Edward and Jeff Jones:
Claeys said Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith had outstanding seasons. Nevertheless, at the conclusion of the bowls, they’ll start focusing on next season and spring ball. Spring practice is concerned with position and not depth, so all players will have an opportunity to show what they can do. “Jeff is really talented . . . two kids (Jones and Edwards) will be in the mix . . . a new opportunity.”
5) Sid asked if any of the injured players will be available, if a bowl is offered:
Claeys responded, “I hope so . . . we’ll see.” Two names given that possibly would be back for a bowl game, according to Claeys, are defensive back Jalen Myrick and defensive tackle Steve Richardson and possibly “a couple others.”
6) Dave Mona asked if they were going to look at some position changes after the bowl season:
Although he didn’t give any specifics, Claeys indicated the first two or three practices in bowl preparations would be an opportunity for some players to try and see if they could handle a new position or two. The first few days would be spent on evaluation.
7) Sid asked if Josh Campion would be back for a bowl game:
Claeys was quick in his response to Sid’s query: “I don’t think so.” He added there are three or four players with concussion-related injuries that are in similar situations as Campion.
8) Dave Mona mentioned quarterback Demry Croft when he asked about Chris Streveler on the depth chart and his move to wide receiver:
“Working more at receiver . . . learning how to play receiver . . . working hard, getting more comfortable,” Claeys said.
9) Dave Mona asked about linebacker Nick Rallis’s playing time, especially after leading the team in tackles against Wisconsin:
Claeys sounded pleased and upbeat when he discussed Nick’s play against Wisconsin. “Oh yeah . . . Nick’s been banged up with his knee . . . It’s all about opportunity . . . great day for him against Wisconsin.”
10) Dave Mona wanted to know about selling a recruit on playing at Minnesota when they’re on campus and there’s snow and cold temperatures:
(Laughing) Claeys said you always want it to be mild with grass showing -anytime there are recruits visiting. He quickly added, 75% of the on campus visits will have taken place by the end of the December.
A couple recruits are visiting this weekend and there'll be a few more next weekend, including commitments from Minnesota.
11) Dave Mona asked about parents receiving aid to attend a bowl game:
“Ohio State opened the gate (potential aid),” Claeys answered. The Buckeyes pushed for aid in last year’s playoff games. Claeys was not sure if the practice will extend to the teams playing in the bowl games. Claeys is in favor of the practice, “any way we can help the parents and kids.”
12) The topic of last night’s championship game between the Hawkeyes and Spartans was raised:
Claeys said that prior to and during the season all talk was on how balanced and how tough the East Division is. He said both Divisions are good (as shown last night). “Enjoyed watching the game.”
On a positive and promising note, Claeys said, “We’re right there, must get healthy.”
13) Dave Mona asked about Mitch Leidner playing hurt and getting healthy for a bowl game:
“Mitch is banged up . . . will need surgery in the off-season on his foot,” Claeys said.
Claeys went on to say a bowl game would be an opportunity for the seniors to go out with a win. (He said it would be a fourth straight bowl game for the Gophers, but they haven’t won any of the previous tilts.)
14) Sid’s final question was recruiting-related. He wanted to know if this year’s recruits can replace the holes left by the graduating seniors:
Claeys said they’ll sign close to 25 players, as allowed by NCAA recruiting rules and regulations. As to Sid’s specific question, “We can fill those holes.”
Go Gophers!!
