Shooter: Lindsey, Koi and Taylor could exceed $3 million for trio.

[Panthadad2]

Why is our O Line so bad? What about our tried and true strategy of finding 3 star recruits (many big boys from the Midwest) and coaching them up? I get that it's hard to recruit to the D line, but I always thought O line recruiting would be easier. And up until last year, our O lines have been pretty good. Can we turn this problem around quickly (like next year)?

Two of the "coached up" guys that would have been starters are playing for Ohio State and Northwestern.

 

[Lou Brown]

Those 3 kids each making a million a year is bananas! Not as crazy as the lineman that got half a million but nuts!

 

[RememberMurray]

Pay them or lose them. Only issue I have is DT can’t stay on the field. MN is a totally different offense when he plays though.

You nailed it. Well said.

His pass catching ability is off the charts for a running back. He appears to be pretty good in pass protection too. Throw in the fact that he's an elusive, effective runner and Darius is quite valuable, even when you consider his injury history.

 

[The Deliberate Stranger]

Two of the "coached up" guys that would have been starters are playing for Ohio State and Northwestern.

Lewis was never going to start here it's why he went into the portal

 

[Cmich Gopher]

You nailed it. Well said.

His pass catching ability is off the charts for a running back. He appears to be pretty good in pass protection too. Throw in the fact that he's an elusive, effective runner and Darius is quite valuable, even when you consider his injury history.

We are very unlikely to get a more talented back from the portal. The points against him are business related: is the injury risk worth it? and is the running back position a good investment given limited NIL? I'm glad I don't have to answer those questions.

I am not a business person. I hope the math works and he stays, has a great year, and goes out a gopher as in the days of old. Isn't the loss of that type of loyalty what we are all mourning in college sports?

 

[gopherbadgerman]

You nailed it. Well said.

His pass catching ability is off the charts for a running back. He appears to be pretty good in pass protection too. Throw in the fact that he's an elusive, effective runner and Darius is quite valuable, even when you consider his injury history.

Thanks. I’ve said it all year I think he’s the best player on the team, but health is an issue. Some may say Smith or Drake are more important and they have an argument but the entire offense is different when he is healthy and playing.

 

[1983]

Talking college football and how much money we need to play players to have a competitive team. Crazy as hell.

 

[The Deliberate Stranger]

Lol we are paying Darius, it's football people get hurt, and we don't have someone whose clearly as talented. Ichey boy went portalling, Turner been hurt, everyone else either redshirted or was in high school last year

 

[march madness]

I'd rather have RB Ijeboi, than Taylor. Not sure how NIL works, is it like a contract? Can we tell Taylor, who can't stay healthy, we are spending the money on someone else?

 

[gopherbadgerman]

I'd rather have RB Ijeboi, than Taylor. Not sure how NIL works, is it like a contract? Can we tell Taylor, who can't stay healthy, we are spending the money on someone else?

I can see the health concern and maybe that’s the tipping point, but IMO Taylor is clearly a superior back.

 

[2nd Degree Gopher]

I'd rather have RB Ijeboi, than Taylor. Not sure how NIL works, is it like a contract? Can we tell Taylor, who can't stay healthy, we are spending the money on someone else?

It's a contact and it seems at the U they are mostly year-to-year. If that is the case with Taylor, we could offer him less (or nothing) for next year. That would, of course, also be telling the marketplace that, at Minnesota, if you get hurt and/or the players largely responsible for your ability to succeed don't perform to the level of expectation, we may punish you for it.

 

[march madness]

I can see the health concern and maybe that’s the tipping point, but IMO Taylor is clearly a superior back.

It's mostly about the injuries, and also that Ijeboi is a freshman with 3 years left. Also their rushing stats were very close, the receiving number are much in Taylor's favor.

Taylor 554 yards 4.7 ypc, 4 Td's. 222 rec yards, 7.4 ypc, 0 td's.
Ijeboi 441 yards, 4.5 ypc, 2 Td's. 54 rec yards, 4.5 ypc, 1 td.

I don't forsee us having a lack of RB talent. Yes there are some great ones like MO, and when healthy DT, but the others have been at least average.

People seem to forget the offensive line was bad the year before, and we lost 2nd rd pick left tackle, and the starting RT left for Ohio St. The replacements weren't higher rated.

I would spend any NIL left after KOI and Linsdey, on the Offensive line, Defensive Line, and a stud WR.

 

[GreasyGopher]

I would spend any NIL left after KOI and Linsdey, on the Offensive line, Defensive Line, and a stud WR.

Add a couple CBs and I’m in a very similar boat.

Less talent at RB can be masked by other positions where that deficiency can’t be masked as well at others.

 

[march madness]

Add a couple CBs and I’m in a very similar boat.

Less talent at RB can be masked by other positions where that deficiency can’t be masked as well at others.

Good call on CB. Let's keep poaching Hawkeye's, they know how to play defense!