Who is your under the radar guy?

diefirma

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Have a guy that isn't talked about much, or from whom not much is expected this year, but that you think will make a big contribution? I have two.

Christian Eldred - the new walkon punter from Australia. I predict he will be the punter when the season starts. I think he played Australian Rules Football not rugby. The two are similar, I think, but in Australian Rules football the ball is "passed" back and forth by punting. Players are very accurate in their punting so Eldred should be able to hit coffin corner most of the time. If you watch his video he is booming kicks 45 yards consistently with great hang time. Plus the ARF guys kick on the run under great pressure so he should be able to get a kick off if there is a bad snap or some other SNAFU.

Devon Wright – I predict he will be the main running back by the end of the year. I watched this kid in practice his freshman year and was VERY impressed. He was alternating carries with Lamonte Edwards and, in my mind, was clearly the better back. He was at least as fast as Lamonte if not faster and had some shake and bake. From what I have seen he has the athletic ability to be the best Gopher back. He red shirted his first year and played in 9 games last year, almost exclusively on special teams. My guess is he had a big leap to make from being a huge natural talent in Florida ( two time all state ) to playing B1G football. In the B1G you have to do things like block, run various pass routes etc. He has basically gone unmentioned until last Sunday when Kill mentioned Devon had “great speed” and they were going to try and take advantage of that.

Your Guy(s)?
 


Wouldn't it be something if he drop-kicked a field goal or two just for fun?
 

We just need a guy who can keep the ball inbounds during kickoffs this year. Hurt us 3-4 times last year.
 

Devon Wright is a tall, smooth running back who is pretty elusive in the open field, but he needs a hole past the dline more than any other back on the team. He could be productive, but he needs the o-line to improve a lot to give him the room he needs. I think he would have been great in Mason's offense.
I think Reeves will play well this year, we could have three of the Skyline 4 on the field a lot this season for the D.
 


I find it interesting that Coach Kill always brings up Isaac Freuchte's name - favorably.

Not sayin' . . . I'm just sayin' . . .
 

Harbison! The young man can fly and MG has singled him out as a surprise in waiting.
 

All good guesses so far. . .

Devon Wright is definitely an intriguing guy. I saw him practice and he looked really smooth running the ball and then after watching him on special teams last year, he doesn't seem to be a guy who is afrad of contact. I really hope he can stay healthy and we can find a way to get this guy the ball this year.
 

Jon Christensen-C. Could be surprise starter over Epping at Center.
 



There's a reason this guy keeps showing up at public events with the other players--the coaches love him and trust him. He's an unsung member of the "uniform unveiling squad," and on the poster. He's prepped for a monster year.

Ben Perry.
 

James Manuel - he is in the right position now and is a freak of a nature physically. I expect to see him blow up some receivers coming over middle.
 


Rabe and Goodger. I don't foresee All Big Ten, but I do think Rabe will be a big contributor in the passing game, and Goodger will be a big help to the running game.
 






McDonald and Harbison (If he's not redshirted). I think we have a couple of gems in these two.
 

Beal. He's under the radar because of his injuries, but if he gets healthy he's a stud. Plus I want to cheer for him, kid has had some tough luck.
 

Since nobody else is biting, I'm going with Botticelli, and Eric Jaques. I think the Pompano Ely guys ( Carter and Jacques) are going to have a big year. Skyline and Ely, oh my!
 

Victor Keise sleeper to be the leading yard getter on this team.
 

Brian Bennett wrote an ESPN B1G blog article this morning that wasn't horrible (his first?). I think there is a chance he could find his groove and write more serviceable blog posts in the future. It seemed like a far fetched dream only a month ago, but there is a chance Bennett could provide some actual B1G football information. Therefore, he is my official under the radar guy.
 

Brian Bennett wrote an ESPN B1G blog article this morning that wasn't horrible (his first?). I think there is a chance he could find his groove and write more serviceable blog posts in the future. It seemed like a far fetched dream only a month ago, but there is a chance Bennett could provide some actual B1G football information. Therefore, he is my official under the radar guy.

+1 That is the great thing about preseason. It is time when we can dream the impossible dream.
 

My pick would be Michael Carter. IF he can prove he has his sh*t together, I think he could be a real surprise and maybe live up to some of those expectations.
 

Spencer Reeves is finally going to bust out! It'd be nice anyways. He's my pick
 

David Cobb, just a guess, someone has to emerge at running back.
 

1) Roderick Williams, he has Gary Russell thighs with good straight away speed. We need someone to step up @rb. 2) Beal, we need help in running situations and he being healthy and contributing would be huge. 3) Max Williams, a real lack of depth at tight end will mean he doesn't red shirt. Athletically could be a factor toward the end of the year.
 




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