Mafe

[swingman]

Burns on radio podcast says Mafe even bigger than listed on roster. Says he looks like a million bucks.

Excited to see Mafe, Otemewo, Silver, Robinson, NovakGoar, Schirck, Hickcox, Umlor and OJ....lot of talent added to the dline!

Like Kamal, Barber, Coughlin, Devers, Winfield, Durr did on last year's #21 in the nation defense, he may be able to help as a true frosh.

DeLattiboudere, Jaylen Waters helped as redshirt frosh on last year's defense; expect Kiondre can help this year.

This defense will age nicely in the next few years.

 

[gophmeister]

I would imagine Mafe is no more raw thanKamal Martin was last year. They may have to play a handful of freshmen at end and on the back end on defense. Offense I would imagine O-Line and receiver are the most obvious positions where a freshman could make an impact.

 

[Spoofin]

I would imagine Mafe is no more raw thanKamal Martin was last year. They may have to play a handful of freshmen at end and on the back end on defense. Offense I would imagine O-Line and receiver are the most obvious positions where a freshman could make an impact.

I am against ever playing a TrFr at OL or DL.


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[KoolAid]

This is good to hear. Some people on the forum were super high on him and his potential. Others were not...

It's always fun when a local kid does well.

 

[diehard]

I am against ever playing a TrFr at OL or DL.


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So am I, but it will likely happen.

 

[John Galt]

I think we've added some pieces that will help on the d-line down the road, but I didn't see anything tonight that would indicate any of the guys listed will play or be a factor this year.

 

[btowngopher]

I am against ever playing a TrFr at OL or DL.


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Ideally every freshman would red shirt.

 

[Spoofin]

Ideally every freshman would red shirt.

I don't necessarily agree with that. Overall, I am a fan of RSing at any position, but a WR, RB, CB, etc. can be good enough they don't need to. On the OL/DL, where size & strength are key, I just don't see a benefit of playing TrFr. Exceptions? Maybe - but not at MN.


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[short ornery norwegian]

I don't necessarily agree with that. Overall, I am a fan of RSing at any position, but a WR, RB, CB, etc. can be good enough they don't need to. On the OL/DL, where size & strength are key, I just don't see a benefit of playing TrFr. Exceptions? Maybe - but not at MN.


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That gets at one of the biggest issues the Gophers have dealt with in recent years - continuity on the O-line. Because of all the injuries, they have been constantly shuffling O-linemen. That also led in part to recruiting JUCOs to fill out the O-line after previous players were forced to retire because of injuries.

At some point, if the Gophs want to take that next step as a program, they have to have an O-line that is made up of RS JR's and SR's - not FR or Jucos. Goes without saying that they have to stay healthy, and hit the bulls-eye with some recruits. Fleck keeps talking about getting younger before they get older, so hopefully he and his staff will have the patience to let the O-line develop organically while avoiding the temptation to go for the quick fix.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

I would imagine Mafe is no more raw thanKamal Martin was last year. They may have to play a handful of freshmen at end and on the back end on defense. Offense I would imagine O-Line and receiver are the most obvious positions where a freshman could make an impact.

Mafe is considerably more raw than Martin would have been (my guess).

Martin grew up around football. He was the QB on his teams.

Mafe was newer to football. In HS, his position was essentially "get ball".

 

[John Galt]

Mafe is considerably more raw than Martin would have been (my guess).

Martin grew up around football. He was the QB on his teams.

Mafe was newer to football. In HS, his position was essentially "get ball".

This. Mafe has a nice frame but he still needs to get considerably stronger. There's a noticeable difference between him and Winston or Devers. Other than Silver, I'll be surprised if the rest don't redshirt.