Coach Jerry Kill was on the road, so defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, Tracy Claeys, was on the Sports Huddle today. Not surprising most of the discussion was on the defensive side of the ball. There was some discussion about the incoming class and injured players that will be back this fall and those that will be available for spring ball.
1) As usual, Sid opened the Jerry Kill segment He asked Claeys what players that they recruited this year could see the field next fall: Claeys didn’t give any names; however, he sounded confident about the possibility of a few recruits playing in the secondary: “Kids in the secondary have a chance.”
Claeys didn’t talk about the offensive recruits, except that the skill positions are more open to first-year players. The hardest positions to get playing time for the recruits are in the offensive and defensive lines: “Hard to play in the offensive line and the defensive line in the first year.” It’s difficult, according to Claeys, primarily due to maturity. (Strength and size.)
As to how and who they determine can play as true freshmen: ‘You have to look at strength-wise and knowledge (of the game that they possess) where they’re at.”
2) Sid asked what injured players will be available this spring: “Scott Ekpe and Nick Rallis won’t be ready this spring . . . Offensive linemen Jon Christenson may not practice this spring.” However, Claeys said they’ll be ready to go when summer and fall drills commence.
Clsaeys also said that this is the healthiest that they’ve been going into spring practices.
3) Sid asked for the names of redshirts/2014 recruits that will contribute this year: Claeys said the redshirts and first year freshmen that played: “Most on defense; we played most of them.” (Again, no names given.)
However, he spent a few minutes talking about 2014 defensive end redshirt recruit, Julian Kafko, of Quebec, Canada. They expect good things from Kafko. According to Claeys, Kafko has grown since his arrival to Minnesota; however, I missed the size given by coach Claeys. The 2014 roster had Kafko at 6-4 225 pounds.
Claeys sounded excited and happy that redshirt linebacker Cody Poock has recovered from his injury and will be available for spring ball. “Cody Poock is going to be back . . . (will) push for playing time if not a starter.”
4) Dave Mpna asked only one question today, and it was related to 2015 recruit Winston Delattiboudare who was Maryland’s High School Player of the Year in 2014: Claeys sounded positive about Delattiboudare’s potential at defensive end. He said they expect, (at least at first) that Winston will be a specialist in long yardage situations. They expect good things from Delattiboudare: “Can be a big-time rusher.”
Claeys briefly talked about their recruiting philosophy and the importance of evaluation. Delattiboudare was not highly recruited or had many stars by the recruiting services; however, Claeys sounded very happy that they signed him.
5) Sid’s final question was who would be the starters on defense tomorrow: “That’s a good question,” said Claeys. Players on the defensive line cited were Steve Richardson, Theiren Cockran, and Hendrick Ekpe. He then mentioned Scott Ekpe being back from his injury.
At linebacker the names given: Jack Lynn, De’Vondre Campbell, and Everett Williams. Williams started against Iowa. Although he didn’t mention Poock’s name, in this query, he’ll be in the mix.
Returning players names (that I caught) given in the secondary: Eric Murray, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Damarius Travis, and Antonio Johnson.
Claeys sounded excited when he was talking about the defense. You could tell that he is looking forward to springs drills – which will start the first week of March – and, of course, next fall.
Go Gophers!!
1) As usual, Sid opened the Jerry Kill segment He asked Claeys what players that they recruited this year could see the field next fall: Claeys didn’t give any names; however, he sounded confident about the possibility of a few recruits playing in the secondary: “Kids in the secondary have a chance.”
Claeys didn’t talk about the offensive recruits, except that the skill positions are more open to first-year players. The hardest positions to get playing time for the recruits are in the offensive and defensive lines: “Hard to play in the offensive line and the defensive line in the first year.” It’s difficult, according to Claeys, primarily due to maturity. (Strength and size.)
As to how and who they determine can play as true freshmen: ‘You have to look at strength-wise and knowledge (of the game that they possess) where they’re at.”
2) Sid asked what injured players will be available this spring: “Scott Ekpe and Nick Rallis won’t be ready this spring . . . Offensive linemen Jon Christenson may not practice this spring.” However, Claeys said they’ll be ready to go when summer and fall drills commence.
Clsaeys also said that this is the healthiest that they’ve been going into spring practices.
3) Sid asked for the names of redshirts/2014 recruits that will contribute this year: Claeys said the redshirts and first year freshmen that played: “Most on defense; we played most of them.” (Again, no names given.)
However, he spent a few minutes talking about 2014 defensive end redshirt recruit, Julian Kafko, of Quebec, Canada. They expect good things from Kafko. According to Claeys, Kafko has grown since his arrival to Minnesota; however, I missed the size given by coach Claeys. The 2014 roster had Kafko at 6-4 225 pounds.
Claeys sounded excited and happy that redshirt linebacker Cody Poock has recovered from his injury and will be available for spring ball. “Cody Poock is going to be back . . . (will) push for playing time if not a starter.”
4) Dave Mpna asked only one question today, and it was related to 2015 recruit Winston Delattiboudare who was Maryland’s High School Player of the Year in 2014: Claeys sounded positive about Delattiboudare’s potential at defensive end. He said they expect, (at least at first) that Winston will be a specialist in long yardage situations. They expect good things from Delattiboudare: “Can be a big-time rusher.”
Claeys briefly talked about their recruiting philosophy and the importance of evaluation. Delattiboudare was not highly recruited or had many stars by the recruiting services; however, Claeys sounded very happy that they signed him.
5) Sid’s final question was who would be the starters on defense tomorrow: “That’s a good question,” said Claeys. Players on the defensive line cited were Steve Richardson, Theiren Cockran, and Hendrick Ekpe. He then mentioned Scott Ekpe being back from his injury.
At linebacker the names given: Jack Lynn, De’Vondre Campbell, and Everett Williams. Williams started against Iowa. Although he didn’t mention Poock’s name, in this query, he’ll be in the mix.
Returning players names (that I caught) given in the secondary: Eric Murray, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Damarius Travis, and Antonio Johnson.
Claeys sounded excited when he was talking about the defense. You could tell that he is looking forward to springs drills – which will start the first week of March – and, of course, next fall.
Go Gophers!!
