BleedGopher
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per Joe:
Leidner opens his senior season Thursday night against Oregon State, with a chance to shape a much grander ending to his Gophers career.
He has several factors working for him. Fully recovered from December foot surgery, he’s down 20 pounds and feels healthier and faster than ever. With new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, Leidner will be in a QB-friendly system, playing behind a retooled offensive line.
“I feel like twice as good of a player as I was last year,” Leidner said.
For those who felt Leidner was underrated, playing beneath the national radar, that changed when ESPN’s Todd McShay projected him as a first-round draft pick (No. 25 overall) in next year’s NFL draft. Other draft analysts have praised Leidner, too, noting his 6-4, 230-pound frame, vast experience and strong upside.
Most important for his Minnesota legacy, Leidner has a good core of talent surrounding him, and the Gophers have a favorable schedule. They’re a good bet to finish with a better record than they had in Cupito’s final season (6-7) or Weber’s (3-9) or Gray’s (6-7).
“Great quarterbacks are judged by how their teams play. They really are,” coach Tracy Claeys said. “Like coaches, they take all the blame when you lose and they usually get the credit when you win.
“If he leads us to a good season, which I expect he will — the type of leader he is, the skills he has — then he’ll be rewarded at the next level.”
http://www.startribune.com/if-mitch...l-break-streak-of-flatline-qb-play/391958121/
Go Gophers!!
Leidner opens his senior season Thursday night against Oregon State, with a chance to shape a much grander ending to his Gophers career.
He has several factors working for him. Fully recovered from December foot surgery, he’s down 20 pounds and feels healthier and faster than ever. With new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, Leidner will be in a QB-friendly system, playing behind a retooled offensive line.
“I feel like twice as good of a player as I was last year,” Leidner said.
For those who felt Leidner was underrated, playing beneath the national radar, that changed when ESPN’s Todd McShay projected him as a first-round draft pick (No. 25 overall) in next year’s NFL draft. Other draft analysts have praised Leidner, too, noting his 6-4, 230-pound frame, vast experience and strong upside.
Most important for his Minnesota legacy, Leidner has a good core of talent surrounding him, and the Gophers have a favorable schedule. They’re a good bet to finish with a better record than they had in Cupito’s final season (6-7) or Weber’s (3-9) or Gray’s (6-7).
“Great quarterbacks are judged by how their teams play. They really are,” coach Tracy Claeys said. “Like coaches, they take all the blame when you lose and they usually get the credit when you win.
“If he leads us to a good season, which I expect he will — the type of leader he is, the skills he has — then he’ll be rewarded at the next level.”
http://www.startribune.com/if-mitch...l-break-streak-of-flatline-qb-play/391958121/
Go Gophers!!
