PiPress: Freshman linebacker Julian Huff makes impressive debut

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BleedGopher

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per Greder:

When the Gophers' defensive line was banged up in preseason practice, freshman outside linebacker Julian Huff took some snaps up front.

"He tore us up," Gophers coach Jerry Kill said of his offensive line. "Therefore, he got an opportunity" Thursday night in Minnesota's 23-17 loss to second-ranked Texas Christian at TCF Bank Stadium.

In a defensive wrinkle to throw off TCU quarterback and Heisman Trophy hopeful Trevone Boykin, Huff started the game as an undersized, standup defensive end. He finished with seven tackles and a handful of other disruptive plays.

Huff, who is listed at 5 feet 11 inches and 220 pounds, made it hard on starting Horned Frogs left tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who is 6-6 and 315 pounds.

Kill said Huff reminds him of former Michigan State outside linebacker Denoicos Allen, who overcame his 5-11, 218-pound frame to become a second-team All-American in 2013.

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci...shman-linebacker-julian-huff-makes-impressive

Go Gophers!!
 

I re-watched the game today. Julian Huff is extremely impressive. Another in the long line of lightly recruited players Kill raves about who excel. He's extremely explosive and instinctive.
 

Was Julian Huff NOT anybody's lowest regarded recruit? I figured he would just be a special teamer and depth player his entire career.
 

Yes, his brother was the three star. Ya just gotta trust Kill and his recruiting and forgot about rankings, etc. doesn't make it as much fun to follow but I'll take it. csnt wait to see Croft.
 

Plinnius said:
Was Julian Huff NOT anybody's lowest regarded recruit? I figured he would just be a special teamer and depth player his entire career.
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I love when I google Julian Huff, all I get is a page full of wonderful pictures of Julianne Hough.
 


Gold Vision said:
I love when I google Julian Huff, all I get is a page full of wonderful pictures of Julianne Hough.
Click to expand...

Watch out, that's how it all started for Mike Ellis LOL.
Huff was very impressive. First couple series I assumed he was a DB. He is very short and looked like dwarf next to their OT. Claeys came up with some creative packages for the D. He is a great coach.
Did Hank Epke have any tackles?
 

I'm wondering if Huff's playing time will be cut going forward. It seems to me that he was used so much in part to combat the scrambling ability of Boykin. I'm not sure that will be as beneficial once they get into B1G play. Of course, with spread offenses taking over the college game, I could be wrong.
 


mkAz said:
I'm wondering if Huff's playing time will be cut going forward. It seems to me that he was used so much in part to combat the scrambling ability of Boykin. I'm not sure that will be as beneficial once they get into B1G play. Of course, with spread offenses taking over the college game, I could be wrong.
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My guess is we won't see him at DE against teams like Iowa and Wisconsin. Could still see him in obvious passing situations though.
 



His play recognition for a true freshman was pretty impressive. Noticing a screen pass and following the RB in coverage led to the sack for Richardson/Ndando-Lay. Hopefully he can keep this up!
 

STrib: In defeat, Gophers' football freshmen show promise

Rodney Smith showed off the vision and quick cutting ability the Gophers coaches have been raving about Thursday against No. 2 TCU, rushing 16 times for 88 yards. Afterward, the redshirt freshman was asked if he felt any butterflies in his college debut.

“None, actually,” Smith said. “I was surprised. Coach [Jerry] Kill said, ‘The first game, if you’re not nervous, then you’re not human.’ So I guess I’m a machine.”

The Terminator from Jonesboro, Ga., came off the bench to average 5.5 yards per carry, outpacing senior starter Rodrick Williams (3.6) and bettering the mark David Cobb had last year (5.17), when he set a single-season rushing record for the Gophers with 1,629 yards.

“I think we found out [about Smith],” Kill said Friday. “We wanted to see how Rodney would do. He’ll certainly put some pressure on to play more.”

Huff started the game and made seven tackles, along with several other impact plays. He snuffed out a potential first-quarter screen pass, helping lead to a sack of Boykin. He drilled Boykin on an option play, leading to another tackle for a loss. And he hit or pressured Boykin at least three other times.

The 5-11, 220-pound Huff repeatedly blew past TCU’s 6-6, 315-pound left tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai on his way toward Boykin.

In the fourth quarter, ESPN analyst Brian Griese watched Huff shed a block from 6-4, 320-pound guard Brady Foltz before wrapping up Boykin for a tackle.

“He has to fight that [block] off, and then tackle one of the most explosive players in college football,” Griese said. “None of us have seen [Huff] play, but he’s got a bright future in front of him.”

http://www.startribune.com/in-defeat-gophers-football-freshmen-show-promise/324581701/

Go Gophers!!
 

Rodney Smith will now be known as the Machine.
 

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