MiKe Max stepped in for Dave Mona today and will do so next week as well.
Q&A with coach Kill by Sid Hartman and Mike Max:
1) Sid - team looks different: "We feel better (about the team)." Coach Kill then told the radio audience that he was meeting with recruits and their families when he was connected to the Sports Huddle. He also said it's good to have fans and recruits at the spring practices (players practice harder and perform better with an audience). "We do look better at certain positions . . . (players) concentrate on what we want football-wise." Coach Kill sounded upbeat about the spring drills, thus far. He stressed it's only been two days of drills and he wants to see how they do during the entire period.
2) Sid asked what players have stood out, thus far: Kill immediately mentioned runningbacks James Gillum and David Cobb. Gillum is 215 pounds and Cobb is 220. "They've looked good." He said Gillum has picked up certain aspects quickly. Again, he sounded very positive when talking about the two runningbacks.
3) Cornerbacks (Secondary): Kill said the juco recruits (Baltazar and Shabazz) told him that it's so fast, and he responded it's faster at the next level, too. He mentiond they have a lot of kids in the secondary, which is a good thing (Brock Vereen is presently out with, as he said, minor knee surgery. He expects him back on the field shortly). He also talked about the secondary's athleticism and size. He said Jeremy Baltazar weighs about 205-210 pounds. "We look better physcially." Kill said the secondary is physically bigger and credited strength and conditioning coach Eric Klein with the change.
4) Sid asked about Troy Stoudermire: "Looking good - speed, bigger - he'll get a chance to play at the next level." He then said it's good and important that Troy has another year with the Gophers (helping the team and personal development).
5) Ra'Shede Hageman: "Spent a lot of time in the backfield (sounded happy)." He said Hageman has athletic ability, size, and his concentration has been good. Kill closed his comments about Hageman by saying,"He's a big, gifted kid." Kill then cited a few other defensive linemen that have looked good in spring drills: Cameron Botticelli, Eric Jacques, and Scott Epke. Epke came in at 238 or 248 and now weighs 278. He said he talked to Epke following yesterday's practice and asked him how things were going. Epke responded, "I struggled." Kill said he told Epke, "You're going to struggle, you're only 17." Kill then talked briefly but with excitement about juco DL recruit Roland Johnson. Johnson will join the team this summer after he completes his academic work at his junior college.
6) Sid asked about Michael Carter: Kill said he didn't say much at the time, however, Carter spent about three weeks in study hall during last season. "There's been a change in his academic work . . . held him accountable and it shows on the field." (He said Carter could have quit but didn't.) "Sometimes when something is taken away you value it more." He was positive about Carter's response and progress.
7) Sid raised a question about poor punting (carryover from the presser prior to spring drills): Kill responded by saying they've got to get the special teams straightened out, "We have the talent. We have to do better coaching." (He sounded protective of the players in response to Sid's remarks. He didn't throw anyone under the proverbial bus.) He then focused on the mental aspects, "When things aren't going right you lose confidence . . . We've got to get mentally right." In addition to Dan Orseske, Kill mentioned walkon Peter Mortell and Dave Schwerman. (He also mentioned another player (sorry I didn't get his name) positively. According to Mike Max, the player mentioned is the son of former basketball player that played, I believe, for Forest Lake. Apparently, he was a talented and well known prepster.
8) Thieren Cockran: Kill said TC is 6-5 and weighs 240-245 pounds. "He can really run . . .vertical jump 38 inches." He then said, "We have to find a way to stay healthy and get better (referring to spring drills) . . . depth at certain positions is a problem."
9) Sid then asked about redshirts that Kill expects to help this year: Kill immediately mentioned Thieren Cockran as well as offensive linemen Foster Bush and John Christenson. He also positively mentioned James Manuel's move to the Will Linebacker position. In closing remarks to Sid's question, Kill cited Grayson Levine and Derrick Wells at safety.
10) Sid asked about recruits at spring drills: Recruits attending the workouts include some recruits that signed letters of commitment last month and juniors and sophomore recruits from Minnesota and other states. The recruits are on unofficial visits. They watch the outside drills and sit in on football classroom lectures/teaching.
Go Gophers!!
Q&A with coach Kill by Sid Hartman and Mike Max:
1) Sid - team looks different: "We feel better (about the team)." Coach Kill then told the radio audience that he was meeting with recruits and their families when he was connected to the Sports Huddle. He also said it's good to have fans and recruits at the spring practices (players practice harder and perform better with an audience). "We do look better at certain positions . . . (players) concentrate on what we want football-wise." Coach Kill sounded upbeat about the spring drills, thus far. He stressed it's only been two days of drills and he wants to see how they do during the entire period.
2) Sid asked what players have stood out, thus far: Kill immediately mentioned runningbacks James Gillum and David Cobb. Gillum is 215 pounds and Cobb is 220. "They've looked good." He said Gillum has picked up certain aspects quickly. Again, he sounded very positive when talking about the two runningbacks.
3) Cornerbacks (Secondary): Kill said the juco recruits (Baltazar and Shabazz) told him that it's so fast, and he responded it's faster at the next level, too. He mentiond they have a lot of kids in the secondary, which is a good thing (Brock Vereen is presently out with, as he said, minor knee surgery. He expects him back on the field shortly). He also talked about the secondary's athleticism and size. He said Jeremy Baltazar weighs about 205-210 pounds. "We look better physcially." Kill said the secondary is physically bigger and credited strength and conditioning coach Eric Klein with the change.
4) Sid asked about Troy Stoudermire: "Looking good - speed, bigger - he'll get a chance to play at the next level." He then said it's good and important that Troy has another year with the Gophers (helping the team and personal development).
5) Ra'Shede Hageman: "Spent a lot of time in the backfield (sounded happy)." He said Hageman has athletic ability, size, and his concentration has been good. Kill closed his comments about Hageman by saying,"He's a big, gifted kid." Kill then cited a few other defensive linemen that have looked good in spring drills: Cameron Botticelli, Eric Jacques, and Scott Epke. Epke came in at 238 or 248 and now weighs 278. He said he talked to Epke following yesterday's practice and asked him how things were going. Epke responded, "I struggled." Kill said he told Epke, "You're going to struggle, you're only 17." Kill then talked briefly but with excitement about juco DL recruit Roland Johnson. Johnson will join the team this summer after he completes his academic work at his junior college.
6) Sid asked about Michael Carter: Kill said he didn't say much at the time, however, Carter spent about three weeks in study hall during last season. "There's been a change in his academic work . . . held him accountable and it shows on the field." (He said Carter could have quit but didn't.) "Sometimes when something is taken away you value it more." He was positive about Carter's response and progress.
7) Sid raised a question about poor punting (carryover from the presser prior to spring drills): Kill responded by saying they've got to get the special teams straightened out, "We have the talent. We have to do better coaching." (He sounded protective of the players in response to Sid's remarks. He didn't throw anyone under the proverbial bus.) He then focused on the mental aspects, "When things aren't going right you lose confidence . . . We've got to get mentally right." In addition to Dan Orseske, Kill mentioned walkon Peter Mortell and Dave Schwerman. (He also mentioned another player (sorry I didn't get his name) positively. According to Mike Max, the player mentioned is the son of former basketball player that played, I believe, for Forest Lake. Apparently, he was a talented and well known prepster.
8) Thieren Cockran: Kill said TC is 6-5 and weighs 240-245 pounds. "He can really run . . .vertical jump 38 inches." He then said, "We have to find a way to stay healthy and get better (referring to spring drills) . . . depth at certain positions is a problem."
9) Sid then asked about redshirts that Kill expects to help this year: Kill immediately mentioned Thieren Cockran as well as offensive linemen Foster Bush and John Christenson. He also positively mentioned James Manuel's move to the Will Linebacker position. In closing remarks to Sid's question, Kill cited Grayson Levine and Derrick Wells at safety.
10) Sid asked about recruits at spring drills: Recruits attending the workouts include some recruits that signed letters of commitment last month and juniors and sophomore recruits from Minnesota and other states. The recruits are on unofficial visits. They watch the outside drills and sit in on football classroom lectures/teaching.
Go Gophers!!
