Coach Kill's comments and responses on today's Sports Huddle:
1) Sid, once again, asked what the plans are for the players now that summer school is about to start: Kill responded saying that summer school is a week out and "Most of the guys will be back this week lifting, conditioning, running . . . stay on track academically . . . freshmen will be in mid-week . . . I feel the (team) leaders will do a good job."
Kill again emphasized the importance of what the players do during the summer months on their own. Their voluntary drills and work in the weight room will determine the team's success in the fall and being prepared for the start of fall practice that starts on August 1.
2) Sid also mentioned the team's vastly improved academic standing: Kill said 67 players had over a 3.0 last semester and the team as a whole had a 3.0 plus GPA. "We don't have any major challenges, academically." He went onto say that "a lot of people working together" contributed to the team's academic success.
3) Dave Mona raised the topic of "Game Day Experience" that will be conducted in July: Kill responded, "It's like "Date Night," which was held last year during the summer months. "Game Day Experience" will be held on Thursday, July 18, 6-9 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium. The evening event is open to couples and it "fills up fast." The coaching staff and their wives will be present, and "invite couples that are interested" in having a game day experience.
If interested, call (612) 356-9761.
4) A question about summer camps was raised: The first of several individual clinics within the next couple weeks were outlined. The first camp starts this afternoon at one o'clock - more than 120 campers will participate this afternoon . . . "It's a lot of fun."
Again, coach Kill stressed the importance of summer camps: skill development and evaluation of potential recruits. Minnesota's assistant coaches as well as guest coaches will be working with the youth.
5) Mona asked about players that catch the coaches eyes that were unknown when they arrived at the camp(s): "One like that every year." Kill then mentioned Chris Streveler as a player that surprised the staff: They were surprised about his 4.5 speed and that he could be a receiver. He also said, "You'll get freshmen (high school) and you can't believe they're freshmen."
He said the camps are important for building relationships with the players as potential recruits.
6) Sid asked if there were any position changes as a result of spring drills: "Hard for me to say, now." He mentioned Derrick Wells move from safety to cornerback. Turning to the offense, "We're pretty well set."
7) Dave Mona asked about the pace of recruiting commitments: "Everyone has a different philosophy . . . not worried about pace . . . try to be patient . . . more commitments as the summer goes along." He said they have about sixteen scholarships to award this year. He stressed the importance of being selective and that they can't afford any recruiting mistakes as they build the program. Again, he stressed the importance of the camps for evaluation purposes, especially of Midwest players that don't have the luxury of having spring drills. He also said senior players pop up (get attention) in the final year of high school play.
The more established programs have far more commitments at this time. However, Kill said at this time they're (Minnesota) focusing on getting potential recruits to their summer camp(s). Again, he stressed that the camps play a big a role in evaluation and recruiting.
8) Sid asked if he had a listing of the three-deep roster: Kill's quick response, "No (laughing) . . . need three recruiting classes to get to three deep . . . more depth than a year ago." He also said, however, in a lot of areas they are over two-deep.
9) Mona asked if the Vikings playing at TCF Bank is a positive in recruiting: Kill responded by saying, "I look for positive effects." He went onto say when recruiting he tries to sell the University of Minnesota, the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota and all that's available. Of course, the Vikings and the construction of their new stadium are mentioned. He sells the fact that the TCF Bank Stadium is being used on weekends for the Gophers and Vikings. (A football weekend.)
10) Mona cited a recruit (Edwards) success on the track field. He didn't mention the recruit's name nor did Kill: Kill, however, did sound excited about the unnamed recruit and said, "Speed is essential." He also sounded positive about the team speed in this year's recruiting class.
11) Sid, once again, asked if any redshirts surprised him in spring drills: Kill mentioned Ben Lauer ("Got better.") He also said he's going be a good player for the Gophers. "Jonah Pirsig had a good spring until he got injured." "Isaac Hayes did some good things." He sounded very positive about the offensive line recruits and their progress.
On defense he cited the ability and progress of Jack Lynn at linebacker.
Kill also talked about the youth of the Gophers. He expects only 1 or 2 seniors to start on offense and possibly 3 seniors on defense. (We're) A young team that'll get better."
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid, once again, asked what the plans are for the players now that summer school is about to start: Kill responded saying that summer school is a week out and "Most of the guys will be back this week lifting, conditioning, running . . . stay on track academically . . . freshmen will be in mid-week . . . I feel the (team) leaders will do a good job."
Kill again emphasized the importance of what the players do during the summer months on their own. Their voluntary drills and work in the weight room will determine the team's success in the fall and being prepared for the start of fall practice that starts on August 1.
2) Sid also mentioned the team's vastly improved academic standing: Kill said 67 players had over a 3.0 last semester and the team as a whole had a 3.0 plus GPA. "We don't have any major challenges, academically." He went onto say that "a lot of people working together" contributed to the team's academic success.
3) Dave Mona raised the topic of "Game Day Experience" that will be conducted in July: Kill responded, "It's like "Date Night," which was held last year during the summer months. "Game Day Experience" will be held on Thursday, July 18, 6-9 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium. The evening event is open to couples and it "fills up fast." The coaching staff and their wives will be present, and "invite couples that are interested" in having a game day experience.
If interested, call (612) 356-9761.
4) A question about summer camps was raised: The first of several individual clinics within the next couple weeks were outlined. The first camp starts this afternoon at one o'clock - more than 120 campers will participate this afternoon . . . "It's a lot of fun."
Again, coach Kill stressed the importance of summer camps: skill development and evaluation of potential recruits. Minnesota's assistant coaches as well as guest coaches will be working with the youth.
5) Mona asked about players that catch the coaches eyes that were unknown when they arrived at the camp(s): "One like that every year." Kill then mentioned Chris Streveler as a player that surprised the staff: They were surprised about his 4.5 speed and that he could be a receiver. He also said, "You'll get freshmen (high school) and you can't believe they're freshmen."
He said the camps are important for building relationships with the players as potential recruits.
6) Sid asked if there were any position changes as a result of spring drills: "Hard for me to say, now." He mentioned Derrick Wells move from safety to cornerback. Turning to the offense, "We're pretty well set."
7) Dave Mona asked about the pace of recruiting commitments: "Everyone has a different philosophy . . . not worried about pace . . . try to be patient . . . more commitments as the summer goes along." He said they have about sixteen scholarships to award this year. He stressed the importance of being selective and that they can't afford any recruiting mistakes as they build the program. Again, he stressed the importance of the camps for evaluation purposes, especially of Midwest players that don't have the luxury of having spring drills. He also said senior players pop up (get attention) in the final year of high school play.
The more established programs have far more commitments at this time. However, Kill said at this time they're (Minnesota) focusing on getting potential recruits to their summer camp(s). Again, he stressed that the camps play a big a role in evaluation and recruiting.
8) Sid asked if he had a listing of the three-deep roster: Kill's quick response, "No (laughing) . . . need three recruiting classes to get to three deep . . . more depth than a year ago." He also said, however, in a lot of areas they are over two-deep.
9) Mona asked if the Vikings playing at TCF Bank is a positive in recruiting: Kill responded by saying, "I look for positive effects." He went onto say when recruiting he tries to sell the University of Minnesota, the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota and all that's available. Of course, the Vikings and the construction of their new stadium are mentioned. He sells the fact that the TCF Bank Stadium is being used on weekends for the Gophers and Vikings. (A football weekend.)
10) Mona cited a recruit (Edwards) success on the track field. He didn't mention the recruit's name nor did Kill: Kill, however, did sound excited about the unnamed recruit and said, "Speed is essential." He also sounded positive about the team speed in this year's recruiting class.
11) Sid, once again, asked if any redshirts surprised him in spring drills: Kill mentioned Ben Lauer ("Got better.") He also said he's going be a good player for the Gophers. "Jonah Pirsig had a good spring until he got injured." "Isaac Hayes did some good things." He sounded very positive about the offensive line recruits and their progress.
On defense he cited the ability and progress of Jack Lynn at linebacker.
Kill also talked about the youth of the Gophers. He expects only 1 or 2 seniors to start on offense and possibly 3 seniors on defense. (We're) A young team that'll get better."
Go Gophers!!
