Gophers: 5 Defensive players that need to make an impact in 2023 (Lindenberg, Baugh, Walley, Striggow, Nubin)

BleedGopher

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2008
Messages
60,765
Reaction score
16,159
Points
113
per Wald:

CODY LINDENBERG

Mariano Sori-Marin is gone, leaving Cody Lindenberg as the new heart of the Gophers’ defense. He started all 13 games last season and was second on the defense behind Sori-Marin with 71 tackles. His 46 solo tackles led the unit. He also had four tackles for loss and one sack. Lindenberg is the new leader and signal caller, and proved last year he can play at the Big Ten level.

KYLER BAUGH

Kyler Baugh came to Minnesota from Houston Baptist after falling in love with P.J. Fleck’s "Row the Boat" culture. He was pretty good on the interior defensive line as well. In 13 games, he had 36 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. His focus all offseason has been on being a leader and helping the Gophers improve their pass rush. With Trill Carter gone, it’s Baugh’s time to make an impact.

JUSTIN WALLEY

The secondary might be the Gophers’ biggest question heading into 2023, with Beanie Bishop and Ryan Stapp both leaving the program. Terell Smith is off to the NFL, leaving Justin Walley as the lone returning starter at defensive back. He’s a good one to have back, finishing last year with 39 tackles and three interceptions, as well as two pass break-ups, a forced fumble and recovery.

The Gophers have added defensive backs since the Spring Game, but Walley is the new leader of the secondary.

DANNY STRIGGOW

The Gophers need a more consistent pass rush in 2023, and it will be up to Danny Striggow to help lead that charge. He played in 11 games last season and had 20 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also had one interception. Thomas Rush is gone, leaving Striggow and others to step up along the defensive line.

TYLER NUBIN

The best news Fleck got all season came near the end, when Tyler Nubin made it official he’s coming back to the Gophers for a fifth season. He wants to finish his degree, and compete for a Big Ten West title. He’s the unquestioned leader in the back of the secondary, with 55 tackles and two tackles for loss at safety last season. He led the defense with four interceptions, and three pass break-ups.

Nubin was an MVP of the Spring Game, but largely for an offensive touchdown on a trick play. He’ll be playing in his 44th career game when the Gophers host the Cornhuskers in August.


Go Gophers!!
 

I think these five are known quantities and will make an impact, we just need them to stay healthy. What we really need is for the CB opposite Walley, the Safety next to Nubin, Joyner, Striggow, and the linebacker next to Lindenberg to make impacts.
 

We need the defense to show up big in game 1 against Nebraska, in case the offense is still working out some kinks.
 

I think these five are known quantities and will make an impact, we just need them to stay healthy. What we really need is for the CB opposite Walley, the Safety next to Nubin, Joyner, Striggow, and the linebacker next to Lindenberg to make impacts.
Joyner and Striggow have already made some impact. They just need to continue to improve.
 

JUSTIN WALLEY

...leaving Justin Walley as the lone returning starter at defensive back.

TYLER NUBIN

...when Tyler Nubin made it official he’s coming back to the Gophers for a fifth season.
How can you make that mistake? You say Walley is the only returning DB, then mention Nubin in the same article as coming back as well?

Hope this guy isn't a gopher fan and instead is just a lazy B1G writer. Maybe he meant to say "lone returning starter at CORNER back"?
 





Top Bottom