P.J. Fleck believes his 2022 Gophers football team is “probably the most committed” he has coached in six years at Minnesota.

BleedGopher

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P.J. Fleck believes his 2022 Gophers football team is “probably the most committed” he has coached in six years at Minnesota. The Golden Gophers head coach spoke at Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis this morning and talked about how his players show a commitment to going beyond what’s required.

Part of that culture is led by four players in their sixth year with the Gophers. Wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell, running back Mo Ibrahim, quarterback Tanner Morgan and center John Michael Schmitz make up an “encore four” who provide maturity to the program and share wisdom with other players.

Fleck singled out Ibrahim as a player who returned to the Gophers not only to help himself but others. Ibrahim, who missed most of last season after being injured in the opening game against Ohio State, could have opted out for pro football after being the Big Ten Running Back of the Year in 2020. “He did it for the team,” Fleck said about the decision to stay in school.

Ibrahim, who is coming off surgery for a torn Achilles, is at “full strength,” Feck said.
Ibrahim was a third team Associated Press All-American in 2020 after rushing for 1,076 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Schmitz was named to the Outland Trophy Watch List today. The award recognizes the best interior lineman in college football. He was named to the Rimington Award Watch List last week. That award is presented to the best center in college football.

Schmitz has been chosen as a preseason All-American by numerous outlets entering the season. He was named All-Big Ten Second Team last season by the coaches and All-Big Ten Third Team by the media.

Fleck referred to the Gophers as a developmental program not only in football but other areas including academics. He said the team’s most recent GPA is 3.3, and for 11 consecutive semesters the GPA has been at 3.0 or better.


Go Gophers!!
 








The amazing thing is Morgan, Autman-Bell, and John Michael Schmitz all committed to the Gophers PJ's first day on the job. Ibrahim was 2 days later.
 




The way you practice is the way you perform in games. If you aren't focus in practice, you won't be as focus as you could have been in games. That goes to all levels of sports. As PJ has said, there is no silliness going on in practice. They come to work. Belichick was successful with the Patriots with that approach. Unfortunately, many of the players later rebelled about it and their stock has gone down.
 

Has he really been here 6 years already? Crazy, where does the time go?
 

The way you practice is the way you perform in games. If you aren't focus in practice, you won't be as focus as you could have been in games. That goes to all levels of sports. As PJ has said, there is no silliness going on in practice. They come to work. Belichick was successful with the Patriots with that approach. Unfortunately, many of the players later rebelled about it and their stock has gone down.
Pretty much agree. I think that coaches should work their teams hard while being smart about it. My 9th grade basketball coach's practices were grueling. Same drills every day, no variety and no fun. Endless "line drills" at the end of practice. On game days I was not excited about the game, was just glad that it wasn't practice. Work hard, but work smart.
 




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