As I mentioned in an earlier thread, Coach Jerry Kill was on the Sports Huddle an hour later than usual, and just as he was about to be interviewed I lost my connection with the program. (See harrys ghost recap in the thread "Today's Sports Huddle: Coach Kill segment" for the first couple questions asked.) When I was reconnected I heard the following questions by Sid and Dave and coach Kill's comments:
1) Dave Mona asked about the Gophers kicking game (this question was raised this past week on GopherHole by gall0249). Mona specifically asked about 2013 kicking/punting recruit, Ryan Santoso: Kill responded he's not allowed to attend and have face time with players at the voluntary practices conducted by the players. As a result, he didn't mention Santoso's name. He did say, however, that 3 or 4 kickers are working with kicking coaches in Florida during July. He also said that it's important that the kickers perform well in the games (not just practice) when there's pressure on the kickers.
2) Sid asked about the six walk-on players in the 2013 class and whether or not he expects them, as freshmen, to play this year: Kill replied, "You don't know until practice." He referenced a walk-on (no name given) that received a scholarship when a player left the school when practice started. (I took it that the incident happened at another school.)
Kill then started commenting on the 2013 recruiting class. He sounded excited about the group, their athleticism and speed. He's heard a lot of good things from the strength and conditioning coaches who are allowed to work with the players during the summer. In the next breath, Kill said the freshmen need to increase their strength. He attributed their lack of strength to their age and maturation. They'll gain strength now that they're on campus and are working with the strength coaches.
Kill switched to the team in general, saying, "Biggest concern - keeping the frontline healthy." He then mentioned the strength of the Big 10 teams and toll it takes to play a 12 game schedule. He also spoke highly of the team's fourth non-conference opponent, San Jose Spartans, and their talented quarterback. San Jose is coming off a ten win season, including a bowl victory. He said their quarterback is the "Best quarterback in the country." He went onto say many expect the San Jose quarterback to go in the first round in next year's NFL draft.
Kill finished the question by saying the biggest challenges facing the 2013 Gopher football team "How we practice . . . get prepared . . . staying healthy."
3) Mona asked about the Gophers tight ends (question raised by Halsey Hall and highwayman this past week): Kill said he'd like to replicate the tight end system that Stanford enjoys. He mentioned Maxx Williams' name, but didn't elaborate. He sounded excited about the tight ends and its depth. (There are 5 or 6 tight ends plus two new (2013) kids. He also sounded excited about the H -Back position.
4) Mona asked a follow up question, after Kill finished talking about the tight ends. Mona asked about position changes (this is another question raised on GopherHole by Breakin' the Plane). When Mona asked the question, he cited Kirk Ferentz's practice at Iowa of recruiting tight ends and turning them into offensive linemen: Kill said, "We talk about it all the time . . . You want to get the best players on the field and coach them up." He added, you don't want to have good athletes standing next to me on the sidelines, you want them on the field.
Kill said Mona's analogy of Kirk Ferentz turning tight ends into linemen is appropriate. He then mentioned that they (Minnesota and coach Kill) have turned safeties into linebackers. (He didn't cite James Manuel; however, Manuel was moved from safety to linebacker because of his size (6-2, 225) and speed.)
He then started talking about Donavahn Jones, freshman quarterback from Stockbridge, Georgia. Jones is very athletic . . . has 40 inch vertical jump and reportedly hit his head on a basketball hoop while leaping in a recent basketball game. (Information was given to coach Kill by players that witnessed the event and that they are impressed with his athleticism.)
Kill mentioned the progress of Mike Henry, a walk-on that is now on scholarship.
Others mentioned:
Maxx Williams. Kill sounded very high on Williams' play and potential. He mentioned Maxx's name twice during the show.
Lincoln Plsek. Lincoln is now weighs 275 pounds. Kill was quit to add that he'll remain at the tight end position.
Kill ended the question saying they're recruiting two large tight ends that will move to the line.
5) Sid asked if they're still recruiting for this year's season (2013 class): Kill said no. He went on to say they recently awarded a walk-on player, Jon Christenson, with a scholarship.
It sounded as though Kill hopes to sign a large walk-on class in 2014. Earlier in the program he said they'd sign about 17 scholarship players in February; however, in answering Sid's query, he said they hope to sign between 25 and 30 recruits in the next class. So, potentially, nearly half of next year's recruiting class will be preferred walk-ons.
Kill finished by saying a strong walk-on program is essential for a successful team. He cited the legendary walk-on program at Nebraska as an example of an effective, successful walk-on program.
6) Dave Mona mentioned Berkley Edwards and the success he's enjoyed this spring on the track field. Dave wanted to know if he would be allowed to run track at Minnesota: Kill said he was okay with the prospect of Edwards running track; however, before a player is allowed to participate in another sport he must prove that he has and will continue to get the necessary classwork completed in a satisfactory way.
Kill then mentioned the running ability of Edwards. Some players have said how impressed they are with Berkley's speed - "a burner." Kill added, "Good to have players give you feedback."
Family commitments prevented me from getting this summary out earlier. Enjoyed our granddaughter's birthday celebration and visiting with some of our grandchildren, later in the day, in Des Moines.
Go Gophers!!
1) Dave Mona asked about the Gophers kicking game (this question was raised this past week on GopherHole by gall0249). Mona specifically asked about 2013 kicking/punting recruit, Ryan Santoso: Kill responded he's not allowed to attend and have face time with players at the voluntary practices conducted by the players. As a result, he didn't mention Santoso's name. He did say, however, that 3 or 4 kickers are working with kicking coaches in Florida during July. He also said that it's important that the kickers perform well in the games (not just practice) when there's pressure on the kickers.
2) Sid asked about the six walk-on players in the 2013 class and whether or not he expects them, as freshmen, to play this year: Kill replied, "You don't know until practice." He referenced a walk-on (no name given) that received a scholarship when a player left the school when practice started. (I took it that the incident happened at another school.)
Kill then started commenting on the 2013 recruiting class. He sounded excited about the group, their athleticism and speed. He's heard a lot of good things from the strength and conditioning coaches who are allowed to work with the players during the summer. In the next breath, Kill said the freshmen need to increase their strength. He attributed their lack of strength to their age and maturation. They'll gain strength now that they're on campus and are working with the strength coaches.
Kill switched to the team in general, saying, "Biggest concern - keeping the frontline healthy." He then mentioned the strength of the Big 10 teams and toll it takes to play a 12 game schedule. He also spoke highly of the team's fourth non-conference opponent, San Jose Spartans, and their talented quarterback. San Jose is coming off a ten win season, including a bowl victory. He said their quarterback is the "Best quarterback in the country." He went onto say many expect the San Jose quarterback to go in the first round in next year's NFL draft.
Kill finished the question by saying the biggest challenges facing the 2013 Gopher football team "How we practice . . . get prepared . . . staying healthy."
3) Mona asked about the Gophers tight ends (question raised by Halsey Hall and highwayman this past week): Kill said he'd like to replicate the tight end system that Stanford enjoys. He mentioned Maxx Williams' name, but didn't elaborate. He sounded excited about the tight ends and its depth. (There are 5 or 6 tight ends plus two new (2013) kids. He also sounded excited about the H -Back position.
4) Mona asked a follow up question, after Kill finished talking about the tight ends. Mona asked about position changes (this is another question raised on GopherHole by Breakin' the Plane). When Mona asked the question, he cited Kirk Ferentz's practice at Iowa of recruiting tight ends and turning them into offensive linemen: Kill said, "We talk about it all the time . . . You want to get the best players on the field and coach them up." He added, you don't want to have good athletes standing next to me on the sidelines, you want them on the field.
Kill said Mona's analogy of Kirk Ferentz turning tight ends into linemen is appropriate. He then mentioned that they (Minnesota and coach Kill) have turned safeties into linebackers. (He didn't cite James Manuel; however, Manuel was moved from safety to linebacker because of his size (6-2, 225) and speed.)
He then started talking about Donavahn Jones, freshman quarterback from Stockbridge, Georgia. Jones is very athletic . . . has 40 inch vertical jump and reportedly hit his head on a basketball hoop while leaping in a recent basketball game. (Information was given to coach Kill by players that witnessed the event and that they are impressed with his athleticism.)
Kill mentioned the progress of Mike Henry, a walk-on that is now on scholarship.
Others mentioned:
Maxx Williams. Kill sounded very high on Williams' play and potential. He mentioned Maxx's name twice during the show.
Lincoln Plsek. Lincoln is now weighs 275 pounds. Kill was quit to add that he'll remain at the tight end position.
Kill ended the question saying they're recruiting two large tight ends that will move to the line.
5) Sid asked if they're still recruiting for this year's season (2013 class): Kill said no. He went on to say they recently awarded a walk-on player, Jon Christenson, with a scholarship.
It sounded as though Kill hopes to sign a large walk-on class in 2014. Earlier in the program he said they'd sign about 17 scholarship players in February; however, in answering Sid's query, he said they hope to sign between 25 and 30 recruits in the next class. So, potentially, nearly half of next year's recruiting class will be preferred walk-ons.
Kill finished by saying a strong walk-on program is essential for a successful team. He cited the legendary walk-on program at Nebraska as an example of an effective, successful walk-on program.
6) Dave Mona mentioned Berkley Edwards and the success he's enjoyed this spring on the track field. Dave wanted to know if he would be allowed to run track at Minnesota: Kill said he was okay with the prospect of Edwards running track; however, before a player is allowed to participate in another sport he must prove that he has and will continue to get the necessary classwork completed in a satisfactory way.
Kill then mentioned the running ability of Edwards. Some players have said how impressed they are with Berkley's speed - "a burner." Kill added, "Good to have players give you feedback."
Family commitments prevented me from getting this summary out earlier. Enjoyed our granddaughter's birthday celebration and visiting with some of our grandchildren, later in the day, in Des Moines.
Go Gophers!!
