Today’s questions of Tracy Claeys and his responses on the Sports Huddle are as follows:
1) Sid asked about a conference call that was conducted last week:
“Most dealt with spring ball,” Claeys replied. He said the team “came out healthy.” He also said the staff spent a lot of time reviewing videos and evaluating players who participated in spring drills.
Last Friday, about half of the coaching staff went on the road recruiting in the southern states; Monday or Tuesday the remaining coaches will join the first group – “big emphasis on recruiting.”
2) Sid wanted to know if Tracy would like to have a satellite camp and practice in the south as Michigan has:
Tracy Claeys was emphatic in his response, “Yeah!” If it were allowed, he would like to have practices in the Naples, Florida area because of it has a large alumni base and the fund raising opportunities it would present.
3) Sid asked about Chris Streveler’s announcement to transfer to another school:
Claeys quickly replied, “Chris graduates at the end of spring.” He graduates in three years and has two years of eligibility remaining, which is unusual. Most transfers who have graduated have only one year of eligibility.
Claeys was very positive when discussing Streveler’s decision to transfer. Claeys and Streveler had discussions about his role on the team at the start of spring drills. “Respect his wishes . . . (a school) where he has a bigger role . . . I wish him the best . . . He’s done everything he said he would when we recruited him . . . works hard, great kid,” Claeys said.
At this time, Claeys said that there aren’t any other players who have expressed an interest in transferring.
4) Sid asked about the performance of running back James Johannesson in last week’s scrimmage. Sid opined Johannesson was the best player in the spring game:
“He’s probably our most improved player,” Claeys replied. He quickly added, however, that Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith – “special players” are ahead of him . . ."(Johannesson) a little behind the other two . . . can’t have enough of those guys (as he also cited incoming running back Kobe McCrary from Butler CC) .” He also said he’d like to have two running backs on the field at the same time, on occasion.
5) Sid said that he understands four former Gophers will be selected in the upcoming NFL draft:
“We have three or four kids (who) will get an opportunity . . . They’ve worked extremely hard,” Claeys exclaimed. The four names cited by Claeys, who have a chance to be drafted, are: DeVondre Campbell, Brien Boddy-Calhoun, KJ May, and Eric Murray.
Dave Mona followed up Sid’s query by asking about former punter, Peter Mortell. In his response, Claeys said, “Peter) punted extremely well . . . I think he’ll be rewarded.” He added, that having kicked outside in the elements, especially in the north is an asset. He acknowledged that more often than not you hear about position players and not special team athletes when it comes to the NFL draft. Nevertheless, he wouldn’t be surprised if he is “rewarded” because of his ability to punt and the hard work that he has expended at Minnesota.
6) Now that they’ve had a chance to study films of spring ball, Sid wanted to know how the offensive line looked to the staff:
“We’ve got 5-6-7 kids who can play; need more,” Claeys answered. As he said last week, depth is a concern; however, he sounded positive about the linemen that they have and those coming in this summer.
In his closing, Claeys cited the improvement of Jonah Pirsig, especially during the last two weeks of spring drills.
7) Dave Mona asked about his coaching philosophy of region recruiting and position recruiting:
“We recruit to needs,” Claeys answered. He went onto say that when they recruit to needs or positions, they look not only at the current year (graduations) but the year following.
As to Mona’s question about region recruiting, Claeys said they spend a lot of time in the southern states because the high schools have spring ball, which is a great opportunity to conduct live evaluations Camps are important in evaluating upper-Midwest athletes.
He said if two skilled players are equal, he would take a player from the upper Midwest because of the cold weather in late fall.
8) Dave Mona asked if they listen to current players for referrals of potential recruits:
“No question, we do! Claeys exclaimed. He said some of the players tell them about underclassmen on teams where they played (sometimes they’re friends) or on rival teams. Claeys also said they check out referrals by Minnesota alumni.
9) Sid asked about the team’s health at the conclusion of spring ball:
Claeys was positive in his comments to Sid’s question. According to Tracy there are 5-6-7 players who suffered some injuries and that there were some minor surgeries. However, after some rest and when they return to campus June 8-10, he expects the team will be healthy and ready for summer workouts.
10) Sid’s final question was concerned with the Gophers opening game on Thursday, September 1 with Oregon State University. Also playing at home on that date are the Vikings and Twins, and, of course, the Minnesota State Fair is on:
“It’s obviously something we don’t like,” Claeys answered.
Sid followed up by asking if the Gophers could shift the nighttime game to the afternoon. “Once you set the date, it’s controlled by television contracts,” Claeys replied.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid asked about a conference call that was conducted last week:
“Most dealt with spring ball,” Claeys replied. He said the team “came out healthy.” He also said the staff spent a lot of time reviewing videos and evaluating players who participated in spring drills.
Last Friday, about half of the coaching staff went on the road recruiting in the southern states; Monday or Tuesday the remaining coaches will join the first group – “big emphasis on recruiting.”
2) Sid wanted to know if Tracy would like to have a satellite camp and practice in the south as Michigan has:
Tracy Claeys was emphatic in his response, “Yeah!” If it were allowed, he would like to have practices in the Naples, Florida area because of it has a large alumni base and the fund raising opportunities it would present.
3) Sid asked about Chris Streveler’s announcement to transfer to another school:
Claeys quickly replied, “Chris graduates at the end of spring.” He graduates in three years and has two years of eligibility remaining, which is unusual. Most transfers who have graduated have only one year of eligibility.
Claeys was very positive when discussing Streveler’s decision to transfer. Claeys and Streveler had discussions about his role on the team at the start of spring drills. “Respect his wishes . . . (a school) where he has a bigger role . . . I wish him the best . . . He’s done everything he said he would when we recruited him . . . works hard, great kid,” Claeys said.
At this time, Claeys said that there aren’t any other players who have expressed an interest in transferring.
4) Sid asked about the performance of running back James Johannesson in last week’s scrimmage. Sid opined Johannesson was the best player in the spring game:
“He’s probably our most improved player,” Claeys replied. He quickly added, however, that Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith – “special players” are ahead of him . . ."(Johannesson) a little behind the other two . . . can’t have enough of those guys (as he also cited incoming running back Kobe McCrary from Butler CC) .” He also said he’d like to have two running backs on the field at the same time, on occasion.
5) Sid said that he understands four former Gophers will be selected in the upcoming NFL draft:
“We have three or four kids (who) will get an opportunity . . . They’ve worked extremely hard,” Claeys exclaimed. The four names cited by Claeys, who have a chance to be drafted, are: DeVondre Campbell, Brien Boddy-Calhoun, KJ May, and Eric Murray.
Dave Mona followed up Sid’s query by asking about former punter, Peter Mortell. In his response, Claeys said, “Peter) punted extremely well . . . I think he’ll be rewarded.” He added, that having kicked outside in the elements, especially in the north is an asset. He acknowledged that more often than not you hear about position players and not special team athletes when it comes to the NFL draft. Nevertheless, he wouldn’t be surprised if he is “rewarded” because of his ability to punt and the hard work that he has expended at Minnesota.
6) Now that they’ve had a chance to study films of spring ball, Sid wanted to know how the offensive line looked to the staff:
“We’ve got 5-6-7 kids who can play; need more,” Claeys answered. As he said last week, depth is a concern; however, he sounded positive about the linemen that they have and those coming in this summer.
In his closing, Claeys cited the improvement of Jonah Pirsig, especially during the last two weeks of spring drills.
7) Dave Mona asked about his coaching philosophy of region recruiting and position recruiting:
“We recruit to needs,” Claeys answered. He went onto say that when they recruit to needs or positions, they look not only at the current year (graduations) but the year following.
As to Mona’s question about region recruiting, Claeys said they spend a lot of time in the southern states because the high schools have spring ball, which is a great opportunity to conduct live evaluations Camps are important in evaluating upper-Midwest athletes.
He said if two skilled players are equal, he would take a player from the upper Midwest because of the cold weather in late fall.
8) Dave Mona asked if they listen to current players for referrals of potential recruits:
“No question, we do! Claeys exclaimed. He said some of the players tell them about underclassmen on teams where they played (sometimes they’re friends) or on rival teams. Claeys also said they check out referrals by Minnesota alumni.
9) Sid asked about the team’s health at the conclusion of spring ball:
Claeys was positive in his comments to Sid’s question. According to Tracy there are 5-6-7 players who suffered some injuries and that there were some minor surgeries. However, after some rest and when they return to campus June 8-10, he expects the team will be healthy and ready for summer workouts.
10) Sid’s final question was concerned with the Gophers opening game on Thursday, September 1 with Oregon State University. Also playing at home on that date are the Vikings and Twins, and, of course, the Minnesota State Fair is on:
“It’s obviously something we don’t like,” Claeys answered.
Sid followed up by asking if the Gophers could shift the nighttime game to the afternoon. “Once you set the date, it’s controlled by television contracts,” Claeys replied.
Go Gophers!!
