JD Spielman. RTB?

If JD is transferring to Minn (or any other FBS program), he really needs to get there and be eligible fairly soon. If he misses a significant number of official practices, it is hard to believe that he could learn a new playbook, and get in sync with a new QB, without having practiced with his new team. Maybe JD’s talent level is such that he could—but it might be the wrong message to send the rest of the team. It seems to me that if something is going to happen for the 2020 season, it needs to happen fairly soon.
 


I may have missed it but i have yet to see someone say that they wouldn't take JD if he wanted to come here. There is the general sentiment (I share it as well) that if he doesn't come here our WR corps will be just fine, but obviously if he wants to be here it is a no brainer to bring him on board as he would be an instant upgrade at the position over pretty much anyone not named Bateman.

In DD's defense though, I really don't think we have any clue what kind of receiver he can be. When you are the #4 option on a team with two legit stars in Bateman and Johnson you aren't going to get the opportunity to shine. He almost certainly is not in the same league as someone like JDS, but it also isn't totally fair to him to make a lot of assumptions about his ability based on his limited production to this point.
I don't know that people have outright said they wouldn't take JD, but I have heard comments such as "We have many receivers better than him" or "he would be the third option behind CAB" which are just laughable given JD's track record.

DD probably has some untapped talent, but I think we would have seen more than 157 yards last year if he really had high end potential. Again, I'll be more than happy to be proven wrong here.
 

If JD is transferring to Minn (or any other FBS program), he really needs to get there and be eligible fairly soon. If he misses a significant number of official practices, it is hard to believe that he could learn a new playbook, and get in sync with a new QB, without having practiced with his new team. Maybe JD’s talent level is such that he could—but it might be the wrong message to send the rest of the team. It seems to me that if something is going to happen for the 2020 season, it needs to happen fairly soon.

I do wonder about the timeline too... the longer until we hear he actually does a thing, the more likely I suspect he's going to just work out this fall and head to the draft or something else (take some time off, who knows).

Granted, that might be a good call for him.
 

I don't know that people have outright said they wouldn't take JD, but I have heard comments such as "We have many receivers better than him" or "he would be the third option behind CAB" which are just laughable given JD's track record.

DD probably has some untapped talent, but I think we would have seen more than 157 yards last year if he really had high end potential. Again, I'll be more than happy to be proven wrong here.
Tyler Johnson was starting in the spot that presumably would be DD’s this year.

DD also has some unfortunate bad returns that stood out in some big games, as I recall (I’m sure he had good ones too though).
 


Who's the 4th/5th at this point? We got Bate, CAB, and DD at 1-2-3. Also what are the expectations for Douglas? So much talk about CAB blowing up, not a lot of love for DD.

Last year after the top 4 wrs no one had more than one catch. It will be interesting to see who grabs that 4th spot if Spielman doesn't come here. I assume DD will have a solid hold of wr3 in that scenario.
 

By the way, if JD doesn’t transfer here (or doesn’t play until 2021 by virtue of a medical waiver) I think DD will be much better than he is getting credit for in this board. CAB played well but got limited looks at #3 last year. Hard to judge harshly a young man who was running at #4 last year. Probably rarely the primary or secondary option. Have to see what he can do when throws come his way.
 

Tyler Johnson was starting in the spot that presumably would be DD’s this year.

DD also has some unfortunate bad returns that stood out in some big games, as I recall (I’m sure he had good ones too though).

DD had that one really bad game, but I think other than that one he was pretty safe as a returner. Seemed like the staff didn't give much of a green light to anyone on special teams, seemed like lets just secure the ball as opposed to lets make some plays was the goal.
 

Last year after the top 4 wrs no one had more than one catch. It will be interesting to see who grabs that 4th spot if Spielman doesn't come here. I assume DD will have a solid hold of wr3 in that scenario.
I'd love to see Jackson win that spot as a freshman, or one of those other freshmen for that matter. But whoever gives you the most production works for me.
 



DD had that one really bad game, but I think other than that one he was pretty safe as a returner. Seemed like the staff didn't give much of a green light to anyone on special teams, seemed like lets just secure the ball as opposed to lets make some plays was the goal.
Thanks maybe it was just one game. I don’t remember, other than I know he had something bad.
 

I do wonder about the timeline too... the longer until we hear he actually does a thing, the more likely I suspect he's going to just work out this fall and head to the draft or something else (take some time off, who knows).

Granted, that might be a good call for him.
Taking a year off and seeking a medical waiver (for a 6th year of eligibility), seems more likely to me for every day of silence that passes.
 

By the way, if JD doesn’t transfer here (or doesn’t play until 2021 by virtue of a medical waiver) I think DD will be much better than he is getting credit for in this board. CAB played well but got limited looks at #3 last year. Hard to judge harshly a young man who was running at #4 last year. Probably rarely the primary or secondary option. Have to see what he can do when throws come his way.
Bateman and TJ were like Moss and Carter, in the heyday.
 

I don't know that people have outright said they wouldn't take JD, but I have heard comments such as "We have many receivers better than him" or "he would be the third option behind CAB" which are just laughable given JD's track record.

DD probably has some untapped talent, but I think we would have seen more than 157 yards last year if he really had high end potential. Again, I'll be more than happy to be proven wrong here.

I think that Demetrius Douglas will continue to get better in his last two seasons. We forget that both Douglas and Autman-Bell are only going to be juniors. Good "problem" to have.
 




I don't know that people have outright said they wouldn't take JD, but I have heard comments such as "We have many receivers better than him" or "he would be the third option behind CAB" which are just laughable given JD's track record.

DD probably has some untapped talent, but I think we would have seen more than 157 yards last year if he really had high end potential. Again, I'll be more than happy to be proven wrong here.

I can't imagine you would be able to find more then 1-2 posters who truly believe the statements from your first paragraph. The vast majority of posters in here clearly do not feel that way.

And as I said in my other post it really isn't fair to judge DD based on what he has done to this point production wise. This season is likely to be a far better indicator of what he is truly capable of.
 

I'd love to see Jackson win that spot as a freshman, or one of those other freshmen for that matter. But whoever gives you the most production works for me.
I was going to bring up Jackson too...4* true freshman could get a lot of playing time if none of the upper classmen step up.
 

Who's the 4th/5th at this point? We got Bate, CAB, and DD at 1-2-3. Also what are the expectations for Douglas? So much talk about CAB blowing up, not a lot of love for DD.

Was higher on DD earlier last year. While he had a few nice grabs, in the second half of the season (i don't remember the games) he had at least two drops that stood out to me that would have been big if he'd managed to haul them in.
 

I’m thinking Jackson and Emilien see some time this season. If I had to guess, we’ll have those two play 4 games and maintain their redshirts. And I bet we see some rotations of Brown-Stephens
 

Last year after the top 4 wrs no one had more than one catch. It will be interesting to see who grabs that 4th spot if Spielman doesn't come here. I assume DD will have a solid hold of wr3 in that scenario.

4th spot, you ask?
Bryce Witham baby!!!!
 

As long as we are offering opinions...mine is that DD is not the answer at WR.
 


JD would flat out be a luxury, and i hope it happens as that sort of fortune would be an uncommon boon for the Gophers. On the other hand, if our season comes down to whether or not DD is able to come up huge, then something ill will probably have begotten the team. Including Mo and Ky Thomas, (and not even factoring in Spann-Ford who might actually be pretty damn good) there's virtually an embarrassment of riches on this offense compared to what we're used to.

I admittedly have zero firsthand witness to his practice, but honestly, what really are the chances that PJ signed a 4 star WR (D. Jackson) and he's not any good? Won't convince me to make a bet against him.


More toys = More better!
 

JD would flat out be a luxury, and i hope it happens as that sort of fortune would be an uncommon boon for the Gophers. On the other hand, if our season comes down to whether or not DD is able to come up huge, then something ill will probably have begotten the team. Including Mo and Ky Thomas, (and not even factoring in Spann-Ford who might actually be pretty damn good) there's virtually an embarrassment of riches on this offense compared to what we're used to.

I admittedly have zero firsthand witness to his practice, but honestly, what really are the chances that PJ signed a 4 star WR (D. Jackson) and he's not any good? Won't convince me to make a bet against him.


More toys = More better!
Yeah I agree. I can’t believe the amount of weapons we have on offense. If you’d have told me in 2016 this is where we’d be in 2020 I’d say you’re crazy.
 

I still wonder if DD would have been better off playing DB. Of course, had he done that it would have been at Oregon.
 

I still wonder if DD would have been better off playing DB. Of course, had he done that it would have been at Oregon.
It’s also tough because it’s much easier to transition to corner than safety in most defenses. And we have pretty good corners coming back. And had pretty good safeties last year. He is likely a rotational guy at best on defense as well.
 




Seth Green should get some additional play at WR, in addition to his wildcat stuff.
I know Batemans pretty good at going up and getting the ball but I think they should use Green and Spann-Ford around the goaline and throw the jump ball to them some this year.
 





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