BleedGopher
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per Randy:
When the Gophers kick off the season on Thursday night against New Mexico State at Huntington Bank Stadium, keep an eye on this quartet:
Dylan Wright, wide receiver
Wright transferred to Minnesota from Texas A&M in 2021, so right away he caught peoples' attention. The wide receiver from West Mesquite High School in Dallas was an Under Armor All-America selection and was ranked the 12th-best receiver nationally in his recruiting class by 247Sports. And when he made an impactful debut for the Gophers, the thoughts of a Wright-Chris Autman-Bell pairing as a successor to the Bateman-Tyler Johnson duo came to mind.
Aireontae Ersery, offensive tackle
Four of the Gophers five offensive line starters from 2021 are off to the NFL or, in Conner Olson's case, medical school, so the team will be breaking in a new line beginning Thursday. Left tackle often is the most difficult and most important position to fill, but Fleck feels comfortable with third-year sophomore Aireontae Ersery.
Trill Carter, defensive tackle
Gone from the Gophers interior defensive line rotation of 2021 are Micah Dew-Treadway, a seventh-year senior last year, and Nyles Pinckney, a sixth-year senior. That leaves fourth-year sophomore Trill Carter returning as the most experienced player in his group and one who's poised to build off a strong finish.
Braelen Oliver, linebacker
Braelen Oliver was poised to have a breakout season in 2020. As a redshirt freshman the season before, the hard-hitting, speedy linebacker from Douglasville, Ga., impressed by playing all 13 games and collecting 22 tackles and three sacks.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
When the Gophers kick off the season on Thursday night against New Mexico State at Huntington Bank Stadium, keep an eye on this quartet:
Dylan Wright, wide receiver
Wright transferred to Minnesota from Texas A&M in 2021, so right away he caught peoples' attention. The wide receiver from West Mesquite High School in Dallas was an Under Armor All-America selection and was ranked the 12th-best receiver nationally in his recruiting class by 247Sports. And when he made an impactful debut for the Gophers, the thoughts of a Wright-Chris Autman-Bell pairing as a successor to the Bateman-Tyler Johnson duo came to mind.
Aireontae Ersery, offensive tackle
Four of the Gophers five offensive line starters from 2021 are off to the NFL or, in Conner Olson's case, medical school, so the team will be breaking in a new line beginning Thursday. Left tackle often is the most difficult and most important position to fill, but Fleck feels comfortable with third-year sophomore Aireontae Ersery.
Trill Carter, defensive tackle
Gone from the Gophers interior defensive line rotation of 2021 are Micah Dew-Treadway, a seventh-year senior last year, and Nyles Pinckney, a sixth-year senior. That leaves fourth-year sophomore Trill Carter returning as the most experienced player in his group and one who's poised to build off a strong finish.
Braelen Oliver, linebacker
Braelen Oliver was poised to have a breakout season in 2020. As a redshirt freshman the season before, the hard-hitting, speedy linebacker from Douglasville, Ga., impressed by playing all 13 games and collecting 22 tackles and three sacks.
Four players who could send the Gophers skyward if they fully blossom this season
Dylan Wright, Aireontae Ersery, Trill Carter and Braelen Oliver have potential star power for the Gophers, but time will tell.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
