SI All-Quarter-Century Gopher Offensive Players (Tony Liebert)

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The defensive side of the ball is now out, too.

Here's the full team:

Quarterback
  • 1. Adam Weber
  • 2. Tanner Morgan
  • 3. Mitch Leidner
Running Back
  • Mohamed Ibrahim
  • Laurence Maroney
  • David Cobb
  • Honorable Mentions: Marion Barber III, Rodney Smith
Wide Receiver
  • Tyler Johnson
  • Eric Decker
  • Rashod Bateman
  • Honorable Mention: Daniel Jackson, Ron Johnson
Tight End
  • Matt Spaeth
  • Maxx Williams
  • Brevyn Spann-Ford
O Line
  • Aireontae Ersery
  • John Michael Scmitz
  • Greg Eslinger
  • Blaise Andries
  • Daniel Faalele
D Line
  • Carter Coughlin, DE
  • Ra'Shede Hageman, DT
  • Mario Reese, DT
  • Boye Mafe, DE
Linebackers
  • Blake Cashman, LB
  • De'Vondre Campbell, LB
  • Honorable mentions: Damien Wilson, Thomas Barber, Jonathan Celestin, Jack Gibbens
Cornerbacks
  • Justin Walley
  • Benjamin St.-Juste
  • Briean Boddy-Calhoun
Safeties
  • Antoine Winfield Jr.
  • Tyler Nubin
  • Honorable Mentions: Eric Murray, Jordan Howden, Jalen Myrick
Personal thoughts on this, I’d have Barber III over David Cobb in the running back list, I’d replace Spann-Ford with Ben Utecht. For defense, not sure why they mentioned Eric Murray under safeties when he was a corner with Calhoun. Otherwise I think the defense looks pretty good.
 


IceBoxGopher said:
The defensive side of the ball is now out, too.

Here's the full team:

Quarterback
  • 1. Adam Weber
  • 2. Tanner Morgan
  • 3. Mitch Leidner
Running Back
  • Mohamed Ibrahim
  • Laurence Maroney
  • David Cobb
  • Honorable Mentions: Marion Barber III, Rodney Smith
Wide Receiver
  • Tyler Johnson
  • Eric Decker
  • Rashod Bateman
  • Honorable Mention: Daniel Jackson, Ron Johnson
Tight End
  • Matt Spaeth
  • Maxx Williams
  • Brevyn Spann-Ford
O Line
  • Aireontae Ersery
  • John Michael Scmitz
  • Greg Eslinger
  • Blaise Andries
  • Daniel Faalele
D Line
  • Carter Coughlin, DE
  • Ra'Shede Hageman, DT
  • Mario Reese, DT
  • Boye Mafe, DE
Linebackers
  • Blake Cashman, LB
  • De'Vondre Campbell, LB
  • Honorable mentions: Damien Wilson, Thomas Barber, Jonathan Celestin, Jack Gibbens
Cornerbacks
  • Justin Walley
  • Benjamin St.-Juste
  • Briean Boddy-Calhoun
Safeties
  • Antoine Winfield Jr.
  • Tyler Nubin
  • Honorable Mentions: Eric Murray, Jordan Howden, Jalen Myrick
Personal thoughts on this, I’d have Barber III over David Cobb in the running back list, I’d replace Spann-Ford with Ben Utecht. For defense, not sure why they mentioned Eric Murray under safeties when he was a corner with Calhoun. Otherwise I think the defense looks pretty good.
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I agree with most of your takes. I also think Dominque Barber deserves at least an HM at safety. I probably would have put Mark Setterstrom on that O-Line as well.
 

I would have Morgan over Weber
Weber had more yards and touchdowns.
But he also had far more interceptions and far more losses.

Webers yardage stats were largely a function of being behind a lot.
The years where Weber threw 44 of his touchdowns the team was 4-20
The years where Weber threw 27 touchdowns the team was 13-13

Winning isn’t a team stat. But losing caused webers total stats to be inflated, IMO.



I also think I’d have a linebacker or two over cashman. Cashman had some big time games and moments but wasn’t even a full time player for a lot of his career.
 



Some guy said:
I would have Morgan over Weber
Weber had more yards and touchdowns.
But he also had far more interceptions and far more losses.

Webers yardage stats were largely a function of being behind a lot.
The years where Weber threw 44 of his touchdowns the team was 4-20
The years where Weber threw 27 touchdowns the team was 13-13

Winning isn’t a team stat. But losing caused webers total stats to be inflated, IMO.



I also think I’d have a linebacker or two over cashman. Cashman had some big time games and moments but wasn’t even a full time player for a lot of his career.
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That's fair, although I have to wonder how Weber would have faired with the talent of 2019, or even the Kill teams from 2013-2016.
 

IceBoxGopher said:
Personal thoughts on this, I’d have Barber III over David Cobb in the running back list, I’d replace Spann-Ford with Ben Utecht. For defense, not sure why they mentioned Eric Murray under safeties when he was a corner with Calhoun. Otherwise I think the defense looks pretty good.
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Definitely. Barber was much more impactful.
Gophers1992 said:
I probably would have put Mark Setterstrom on that O-Line as well.
Click to expand...

Again, without a doubt.
 

IceBoxGopher said:
That's fair, although I have to wonder how Weber would have faired with the talent of 2019, or even the Kill teams from 2013-2016.
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He probably would’ve played better but had worse stats in terms of yards and TDs, IMO
And had better stats in terms of interceptions
 



IceBoxGopher said:
The defensive side of the ball is now out, too.

Here's the full team:

Quarterback
  • 1. Adam Weber
  • 2. Tanner Morgan
  • 3. Mitch Leidner
Running Back
  • Mohamed Ibrahim
  • Laurence Maroney
  • David Cobb
  • Honorable Mentions: Marion Barber III, Rodney Smith
Wide Receiver
  • Tyler Johnson
  • Eric Decker
  • Rashod Bateman
  • Honorable Mention: Daniel Jackson, Ron Johnson
Tight End
  • Matt Spaeth
  • Maxx Williams
  • Brevyn Spann-Ford
O Line
  • Aireontae Ersery
  • John Michael Scmitz
  • Greg Eslinger
  • Blaise Andries
  • Daniel Faalele
D Line
  • Carter Coughlin, DE
  • Ra'Shede Hageman, DT
  • Mario Reese, DT
  • Boye Mafe, DE
Linebackers
  • Blake Cashman, LB
  • De'Vondre Campbell, LB
  • Honorable mentions: Damien Wilson, Thomas Barber, Jonathan Celestin, Jack Gibbens
Cornerbacks
  • Justin Walley
  • Benjamin St.-Juste
  • Briean Boddy-Calhoun
Safeties
  • Antoine Winfield Jr.
  • Tyler Nubin
  • Honorable Mentions: Eric Murray, Jordan Howden, Jalen Myrick
Personal thoughts on this, I’d have Barber III over David Cobb in the running back list, I’d replace Spann-Ford with Ben Utecht. For defense, not sure why they mentioned Eric Murray under safeties when he was a corner with Calhoun. Otherwise I think the defense looks pretty good.
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What about Cupito or Abdul Khaliq? Both better than Leidner. I’d probably take them over Weber too.
 


Some Day...Maybe said:
What about Cupito or Abdul Khaliq? Both better than Leidner. I’d probably take them over Weber too.
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Would not take either over Weber, would take both over Leidner

I would say all of them from Morgan and Weber plus those three face the same issue
They’re good enough to make you wish they’re better.
What sepeates Morgan and Weber is that Morgan has 2019 both statistically and 11-2 and Weber has the career stats.

Although Khaliq and Leidner were decent runners…I wouldn’t call either of them elite running QBs
Weber’s best Running season was better than Khaliq and Leidners best in terms of yardage.

The best running season by a QB in the period 2000-present was M Gray.
 





Leidner
Screenshot 2025-07-30 at 10.44.42 PM.png
For the Leidner bashers....nobody tougher. Didn't exactly have overwhelming help. 2nd all time in total offense should probably be top 3, plus all leadership intangibles...he brought a lot.
 

60's Guy said:
Leidner
View attachment 38076
For the Leidner bashers....nobody tougher. Didn't exactly have overwhelming help. 2nd all time in total offense should probably be top 3, plus all leadership intangibles...he brought a lot.
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Pretty sure everyone in this thread has him a top 5 QB of the last 25 years and most have him in the top 3.
Not sure anyone is bashing him

I have him 5th. Sorry


Also think he was hampered by a difficult scheme for QBs. Was put in a tough spot many times
 

60's Guy said:
Leidner
View attachment 38076
For the Leidner bashers....nobody tougher. Didn't exactly have overwhelming help. 2nd all time in total offense should probably be top 3, plus all leadership intangibles...he brought a lot.
Click to expand...
I think people piled on Leidner somewhat because of the media hype he got coming into his senior season (which he wasn't responsible for). I'll remember him for his more than occasional lame duck throws and his busted ass foot x-ray, but most of all, for his toughness and willingness to put it all out there. Dude was a gamer and literally threw himself headfirst at defenses on designed (and undesigned) runs. He's one dude you could never say didn't bleed M&G from the beginning to the end, and he was one of the key guys navigating the resurgence of this program from the Brew years to where it is now.
 

Some guy said:
Pretty sure everyone in this thread has him a top 5 QB of the last 25 years and most have him in the top 3.
Not sure anyone is bashing him

I have him 5th. Sorry


Also think he was hampered by a difficult scheme for QBs. Was put in a tough spot many times
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Yes, he was!
 

Yeah Leidner was a warrior. Tough and left it all on the field. Skill-wise, I wouldn't have him ahead of Weber, Morgan or Abdul-Khaliq, but his toughness, leadership and ability to run makes him not far behind. I'll never forget his quarterbacking in 2014 against Michigan, Nebraska and Iowa.
 

Ben Utecht should absolutely be on this list over BSF.

I can't ever unlink Maroney and MB3.....same with Setterstrom and Eslinger. So I would bump Cobb down at RB and Andries down at OL to make room for those two.
 

Does this team win a national title?

I think if they were all juniors and seniors it has a very good chance.
 

IceBoxGopher said:
The defensive side of the ball is now out, too.

Here's the full team:

Quarterback
  • 1. Adam Weber
  • 2. Tanner Morgan
  • 3. Mitch Leidner
Running Back
  • Mohamed Ibrahim
  • Laurence Maroney
  • David Cobb
  • Honorable Mentions: Marion Barber III, Rodney Smith
Wide Receiver
  • Tyler Johnson
  • Eric Decker
  • Rashod Bateman
  • Honorable Mention: Daniel Jackson, Ron Johnson
Tight End
  • Matt Spaeth
  • Maxx Williams
  • Brevyn Spann-Ford
O Line
  • Aireontae Ersery
  • John Michael Scmitz
  • Greg Eslinger
  • Blaise Andries
  • Daniel Faalele
Click to expand...
@TonyLiebert
This is borderline embarrassing and shows recency bias and little actual research.

Mark Setterstrom was 2X first team All B10 and as senior, 2nd team AA and a finalist for the Outland Award. He’s inarguably second or third on that list for collegiate accomplishments.

IceBoxGopher said:
D Line
  • Carter Coughlin, DE
  • Ra'Shede Hageman, DT
  • Mario Reese, DT
  • Boye Mafe, DE
Linebackers
  • Blake Cashman, LB
  • De'Vondre Campbell, LB
  • Honorable mentions: Damien Wilson, Thomas Barber, Jonathan Celestin, Jack Gibbens
Cornerbacks
  • Justin Walley
  • Benjamin St.-Juste
  • Briean Boddy-Calhoun
Safeties
  • Antoine Winfield Jr.
  • Tyler Nubin
  • Honorable Mentions: Eric Murray, Jordan Howden, Jalen Myrick
Personal thoughts on this, I’d have Barber III over David Cobb in the running back list, I’d replace Spann-Ford with Ben Utecht. For defense, not sure why they mentioned Eric Murray under safeties when he was a corner with Calhoun. Otherwise I think the defense looks pretty good.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:

One season of Karon Riley may also be better than the other DE's. He was 1st team All Big Ten coaches and media. Willie Middlebrooks as well. Only one year in 2000's but 1st team All Big Ten and a 1st round draft pick.
 

GopherGuy82 said:
One season of Karon Riley may also be better than the other DE's. He was 1st team All Big Ten coaches and media.
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Was that his senior year when he lead the B10 in sacks (IIRC)?

I believe at worst he was at least an honorable mention AA
GopherGuy82 said:
Willie Middlebrooks as well. Only one year in 2000's but 1st team All Big Ten and a 1st round draft pick.
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Willie the Wet Blanket
 


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