Non-seniors leaving at end of season

Donate To GopherHole
McPeePants

McPeePants

Active member
Joined
Dec 2, 2010
Messages
259
Reaction score
83
Points
28
From Andy Greder at Pioneer Press:

Besides Rhoda, there are eight other underclassman hanging up their Gophers jerseys: TE Duke Anyanwu, LB Ray Dixon, WR Mike Conway, DE Julien Kafo, K Andrew Harte, OT Chad Fahning, C Matt Leidner and OL Luke Rasmussen.

Besides Leidner, the 12 seniors are: CB Eric Amoako, DE Hank Ekpe, DT Scott Ekpe, LB Jack Lynn, CB Jalen Myrick, RT Jonah Pirsig, LB Nick Rallis, S Ace Rogers, CB Alex Starks, DT Yoshoub Timms, S Damarius Travis and WR Drew Wolitarsky.
----
One interesting inclusion was DE Kafo, who is only a RS Soph, according to the roster on Gophersports.com. It looks like he only played against Indiana St. this season. DE depth next year could be something to watch.
 

Not worried about DE when we continue to use our multiple linebackers to rush off the edge on passing downs.
 

Just speculation but NDSU fans I know are wondering about what James Johannesson is going to do. Runningback from Fargo who chose the Gophers over NDSU. He has not seen the field here yet. Not even on special teams. Personaly I hope he stays.
 

Question

McPeePants said:
From Andy Greder at Pioneer Press:

Besides Rhoda, there are eight other underclassman hanging up their Gophers jerseys: TE Duke Anyanwu, LB Ray Dixon, WR Mike Conway, DE Julien Kafo, K Andrew Harte, OT Chad Fahning, C Matt Leidner and OL Luke Rasmussen.

Besides Leidner, the 12 seniors are: CB Eric Amoako, DE Hank Ekpe, DT Scott Ekpe, LB Jack Lynn, CB Jalen Myrick, RT Jonah Pirsig, LB Nick Rallis, S Ace Rogers, CB Alex Starks, DT Yoshoub Timms, S Damarius Travis and WR Drew Wolitarsky.
----
One interesting inclusion was DE Kafo, who is only a RS Soph, according to the roster on Gophersports.com. It looks like he only played against Indiana St. this season. DE depth next year could be something to watch.
Click to expand...

How many of these 21 guys are on scholarship?
 

That's 5 more scholarships to hand out next year I think (Anyanwu, Dixon, Rhoda, Kafo, Rasmussen).
 


Does Martin have the body type to bulk up and move to DE? And Barber to DT?
 

Bayfieldgopher said:
Does Martin have the body type to bulk up and move to DE? And Barber to DT?
Click to expand...

LB to DT is like 100 pounds difference ... wouldn't seem likely to me. Our LB's already are pass rush DE's on occasion.
 

I have questions about Johannesson as well. He seems like the real deal running back to me in the videos I've seen of him. I also think he could be a real good athlete somewhere else on the team. I hope he doesn't transfer and the gophers find another spot for him. Maybe some type of slot back or Hybrid Tight End. Looks like we could use some help there.
West Fargo Gopher Fan said:
Just speculation but NDSU fans I know are wondering about what James Johannesson is going to do. Runningback from Fargo who chose the Gophers over NDSU. He has not seen the field here yet. Not even on special teams. Personaly I hope he stays.
Click to expand...
 

One interesting inclusion was DE Kafo, who is only a RS Soph, according to the roster on Gophersports.com. It looks like he only played against Indiana St. this season. DE depth next year could be something to watch.
Click to expand...
It is always a bit of a bummer when kids move on early. Kafo and Duke were a couple of names that that I was hoping to see playing on Saturdays

During last week's cold win vs NW I was wondering if Johanneson would get some carries late or Kobe.
 



In this era of players coming back from multiple ACL tears, better than ever, (Robert Smith, AP, ect) it is really sad to see a player lose his career due to a knee injury.

Watching Duke A and Ace Rogers walk out of the tunnel in street clothes was very sad. Both could have had a huge impact the last two years had they been able to bounce back as we now assume every injured player well. My recollection was that the staff thought Duke might be better than Williams at TE, and we really could have used Ace Rogers both years.
 


Anyone know why Chad Fahning is leaving?
 

Stuff said:
Anyone know why Chad Fahning is leaving?
Click to expand...

My guess is because he'll be a senior next year and isn't very likely to play, barring multiple long-term injuries. Presumably he'll graduate and can transfer to play right away at a lower-level school.
 



oak_street1981 said:
What was the deal with Kafo? Practice performance?
Click to expand...

I believe Kafo had earned college credits in Canada before enrolling at the U. He was 19 his first year at the U and I seem to recall he was an older recruit for some reason or another.
 


beavergopher said:
It's too bad. RS seniors are good to have around on the OL for depth.
Click to expand...

Not a shot at you, but why is this "too bad"?

These guys pour 4-5 years into football and I applaud those that graduate and walk away on their own terms. They tend to be the smartest of the bunch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

He could be very valuable next year. I wish he was sticking around from a fan's perspective.
Depth at that position group is very important.
 

I am surprised that Fahning is leaving. He is currently 2nd string behind Pirsig. With Pirsig gone next year, you'd think Fahning would have gotten major minutes. I congratulate Chad Fahning for graduating early, but as a fan, I wish he would play at UMN one more year.
 

Man, Rasmussen another Limey recruit who never saw the field. That body type he looked for consistently just rarely panned out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom