Tracy Claeys was back this week for the Sports Huddle. Topics covered include Minnesota's receiving corps, off-season workouts, next fall’s schedule, athletic director selection, recruiting during May, and high school football players playing other sports.
1) Sid’s first question was about Mitch Leidner’s reported stock going up for next year’s NFL Draft:
“No doubt he has the skill sets, but it’s too early . . . he’s healthy . . . lost some weight,” Claeys answered. He also said that Leidner knows he has to perform on the field this fall. His output on game day will determine his future in the draft.
Claeys also talked about Leidner’s improvement at the end of last season and in his passing in spring passing drills. He was very positive in his remarks.
2) Sid asked if he expects Leidner to be 100% healthy this fall:
“No doubt. We start workouts June 6 . . . (he’s) ready to go,” Claeys replied.
3) Sid asked about this year’s receiving corps:
“We’ve got kids who can catch the ball . . . challenge (is) replacing KJ Maye,” Claeys replied. Players he cited in his remarks were Rashad Still, Melvin Holland, Drew Wolitarsky, Eric Carter, and Brandon Lingen. He also mentioned a redshirt freshman receiver – I think he cited Hunter Register.
4) Sid asked if the team was healthy, overall:
Tracy Claeys didn’t specifically answer Sid’s query. He said the players will be taking their finals this week and then head home for a needed break. They’re scheduled to be back June 6th for the start of their summer workouts.
5) Dave Mona asked, in a follow-up question, if the incoming freshmen recruits will be practicing on June 6th:
“They’ll get started June 13th,” Claeys replied. He added that some of the new recruits will be finishing their studies and participating in commencement exercises the week that the veteran players are practing - the week of June 6th.
6) Continuing the topic of off-season workouts, Sid asked if they’re working out now:
“They can work out on their own . . . a handful will stay,” Claeys said. (He was referring to a small group of players that will be on campus from finals to June 6.)
Claeys then spoke about the importance having a break from football, “everybody need a couple weeks off.” The period of finals to June 6th will be the first time from football and being able to return home for the team. This is especially important for the 2016 freshmen – a big adjustment for the first-year players being away from home for a year.
According to Claeys, the late season bowl games are a factor in extending the year's absence from home.
7) Sid asked about the 2016 season and it not being as tough as 2015 because Ohio State and Michigan are not this year's schedule:
Claeys acknowledged that the two power teams not being on the schedule; however, he also said they have 5 conference games on the road this year. “Hard to win on the road,” Claeys responded. He also mentioned that Colorado State will play at TCF Bank Stadium and that the visiting Rams played Minnesota tough last year. He added that Oregon State will be improved now that the Beavers have had a season under Gary Anderson, after he left Wisconsin.
8) Dave Mona asked if he’ll have an opportunity to visit with the athletic director candidates and have input in the selection process:
He answered Mona’s query saying he would not have the opportunity to participate during the selection process. He hastened to add that it’s “not only at Minnesota” but at many other schools as well.
9) Turning to recruiting, Sid wanted to know if the coaches can approach potential recruits face-to-face at this time:
The short answer is no. However, they’re allowed to text the high school players. The Minnesota coaches visit with the high school coaches about the potential recruits and watch the high school practices.
Minnesota’s coaches will be recruiting off-campus until Memorial Day.
10) Dave Mona asked the final question on today’s Sports Huddle program. His query was related to recruits playing other sports:
Two sports were mentioned in his comments: track and field and basketball. Claeys said they check a track and field internet site. They look for an athlete’s speed and explosion in running events. In watching basketball they like to see how they compete.
Tracy Claeys said he’d like to see football players compete in other sports; however, that’s becoming less and less with today's recruits - “not to do that and that’s too bad.” He added, “The more sports they play says a lot about (character) them.”
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid’s first question was about Mitch Leidner’s reported stock going up for next year’s NFL Draft:
“No doubt he has the skill sets, but it’s too early . . . he’s healthy . . . lost some weight,” Claeys answered. He also said that Leidner knows he has to perform on the field this fall. His output on game day will determine his future in the draft.
Claeys also talked about Leidner’s improvement at the end of last season and in his passing in spring passing drills. He was very positive in his remarks.
2) Sid asked if he expects Leidner to be 100% healthy this fall:
“No doubt. We start workouts June 6 . . . (he’s) ready to go,” Claeys replied.
3) Sid asked about this year’s receiving corps:
“We’ve got kids who can catch the ball . . . challenge (is) replacing KJ Maye,” Claeys replied. Players he cited in his remarks were Rashad Still, Melvin Holland, Drew Wolitarsky, Eric Carter, and Brandon Lingen. He also mentioned a redshirt freshman receiver – I think he cited Hunter Register.
4) Sid asked if the team was healthy, overall:
Tracy Claeys didn’t specifically answer Sid’s query. He said the players will be taking their finals this week and then head home for a needed break. They’re scheduled to be back June 6th for the start of their summer workouts.
5) Dave Mona asked, in a follow-up question, if the incoming freshmen recruits will be practicing on June 6th:
“They’ll get started June 13th,” Claeys replied. He added that some of the new recruits will be finishing their studies and participating in commencement exercises the week that the veteran players are practing - the week of June 6th.
6) Continuing the topic of off-season workouts, Sid asked if they’re working out now:
“They can work out on their own . . . a handful will stay,” Claeys said. (He was referring to a small group of players that will be on campus from finals to June 6.)
Claeys then spoke about the importance having a break from football, “everybody need a couple weeks off.” The period of finals to June 6th will be the first time from football and being able to return home for the team. This is especially important for the 2016 freshmen – a big adjustment for the first-year players being away from home for a year.
According to Claeys, the late season bowl games are a factor in extending the year's absence from home.
7) Sid asked about the 2016 season and it not being as tough as 2015 because Ohio State and Michigan are not this year's schedule:
Claeys acknowledged that the two power teams not being on the schedule; however, he also said they have 5 conference games on the road this year. “Hard to win on the road,” Claeys responded. He also mentioned that Colorado State will play at TCF Bank Stadium and that the visiting Rams played Minnesota tough last year. He added that Oregon State will be improved now that the Beavers have had a season under Gary Anderson, after he left Wisconsin.
8) Dave Mona asked if he’ll have an opportunity to visit with the athletic director candidates and have input in the selection process:
He answered Mona’s query saying he would not have the opportunity to participate during the selection process. He hastened to add that it’s “not only at Minnesota” but at many other schools as well.
9) Turning to recruiting, Sid wanted to know if the coaches can approach potential recruits face-to-face at this time:
The short answer is no. However, they’re allowed to text the high school players. The Minnesota coaches visit with the high school coaches about the potential recruits and watch the high school practices.
Minnesota’s coaches will be recruiting off-campus until Memorial Day.
10) Dave Mona asked the final question on today’s Sports Huddle program. His query was related to recruits playing other sports:
Two sports were mentioned in his comments: track and field and basketball. Claeys said they check a track and field internet site. They look for an athlete’s speed and explosion in running events. In watching basketball they like to see how they compete.
Tracy Claeys said he’d like to see football players compete in other sports; however, that’s becoming less and less with today's recruits - “not to do that and that’s too bad.” He added, “The more sports they play says a lot about (character) them.”
Go Gophers!!