BleedGopher
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per Greder:
The Gophers’ top receiving options in 2017 were Tyler Johnson and … crickets.
Minnesota’s lack of viable alternatives was borne out in the statistical share Johnson accounted for a year ago. During his sophomore season, the Minneapolis North grad had one-third of the team’s receptions (35), nearly half of its receiving yards (677) and three-fourths of its touchdowns (seven) a year ago.
When Johnson broke his hand and missed the final two games, the Gophers essentially unplugged the passing game in season-ending blowout losses to Northwestern and Wisconsin.
Receiving reinforcements, however, have arrived and/or returned. What Minnesota has will come into better focus when the Gophers hold a pivotal scrimmage Tuesday at TCF Bank Stadium.
Chris Autman-Bell and Demetrius Douglas look to bounce back from freshman seasons sidetracked by injuries. Autman-Bell was limited with an undisclosed injury earlier in camp but participated Monday, while Douglas continued to rehab his own undisclosed injury.
True freshman Rashod Bateman has displayed impressive moments since fall camp started Aug. 1, with fellow newcomers Erik Gibson in the mix and Jornell Manns still rehabbing a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee from high school.
Redshirt sophomore Phillip Howard, of Robbinsdale Cooper High School, was second on the U last year with 132 receiving yards.
But nobody beats Johnson to the front of the line for reps in every drill during practice. “I’m leading them by example and also my voice,” he said at the start of camp. “… After that, whenever we go to the other side, I critique them and I make sure that their break point is right and they are creating separation (from defensive backs) and they are using their hands right. Things like that.”
https://www.twincities.com/2018/08/13/gophers-need-more-from-receivers-not-named-tyler-johnson/
Go Gophers!!
The Gophers’ top receiving options in 2017 were Tyler Johnson and … crickets.
Minnesota’s lack of viable alternatives was borne out in the statistical share Johnson accounted for a year ago. During his sophomore season, the Minneapolis North grad had one-third of the team’s receptions (35), nearly half of its receiving yards (677) and three-fourths of its touchdowns (seven) a year ago.
When Johnson broke his hand and missed the final two games, the Gophers essentially unplugged the passing game in season-ending blowout losses to Northwestern and Wisconsin.
Receiving reinforcements, however, have arrived and/or returned. What Minnesota has will come into better focus when the Gophers hold a pivotal scrimmage Tuesday at TCF Bank Stadium.
Chris Autman-Bell and Demetrius Douglas look to bounce back from freshman seasons sidetracked by injuries. Autman-Bell was limited with an undisclosed injury earlier in camp but participated Monday, while Douglas continued to rehab his own undisclosed injury.
True freshman Rashod Bateman has displayed impressive moments since fall camp started Aug. 1, with fellow newcomers Erik Gibson in the mix and Jornell Manns still rehabbing a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee from high school.
Redshirt sophomore Phillip Howard, of Robbinsdale Cooper High School, was second on the U last year with 132 receiving yards.
But nobody beats Johnson to the front of the line for reps in every drill during practice. “I’m leading them by example and also my voice,” he said at the start of camp. “… After that, whenever we go to the other side, I critique them and I make sure that their break point is right and they are creating separation (from defensive backs) and they are using their hands right. Things like that.”
https://www.twincities.com/2018/08/13/gophers-need-more-from-receivers-not-named-tyler-johnson/
Go Gophers!!