Who will lead the Gophers in rushing yards in 2014?

Who will lead the Gophers in rushing yards in 2014?

  • Mitch Leidner

    Votes: 1 1.1%

  • Berkley Edwards

    Votes: 7 7.7%

  • David Cobb

    Votes: 70 76.9%

  • Donnell Kirkwood

    Votes: 2 2.2%

  • Rodrick Williams Jr

    Votes: 5 5.5%

  • Other

    Votes: 6 6.6%
  • Total voters
    91
  • Poll closed .
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Who will lead the Gophers in rushing yards in 2014?
 

"Gopherhole Double Secret Probation" for anyone choosing Leidner. If he's our leading rusher, we're in for a long year.

Also: I voted for Cobb as well.

I want to see who Unregistered Guy and mnsports1 votes for - they nailed it last year!
 


I think it'll be Cobb unless he goes down with an injury, in which case it would probably be Williams. Leidner's rushing attempts should be cut quite a bit this year due to the coaching staff not wanting to get him injured. Edwards probably won't see to much play as a straight running back but as a wide receiver/returner.
 

This poll should be named the "2014 Leading Rusher if Cobb goes down." Then I'd vote for Williams. Otherwise, seems like a pretty obvious poll result.
 




BieberHole69 said:
Has Williams passed Kirkwood on the depth chart?
Click to expand...

Hard to say. When the first depth chart is released, the #2 RB will likely read "Donnell Kirkwood OR Rodrick Williams", or vice versa. Both will get opportunities IMO.
 

Yeah, from what I've heard from practices and interviews it looks as though Rodrick will be the number two running back. But expect Kirkwood to get a lot of carries as well.
 



Nugget. He is #2. I hope its Cobb as if it isn't there are problems, but Nugget could be a stud. His low usage last year was due to him being in the dog house. Similar to Cobb having all the ability, but not playing until he started blocking.
 

Rescooter said:
"Gopherhole Double Secret Probation" for anyone choosing Leidner. If he's our leading rusher, we're in for a long year.

Also: I voted for Cobb as well.

I want to see who Unregistered Guy and mnsports1 votes for - they nailed it last year!
Click to expand...

If all goes well - Cobb.
 

Cobb.

Edwards might rack up a lot of yards but a good chunk of those will be passing.
 

BieberHole69 said:
Has Williams passed Kirkwood on the depth chart?
Click to expand...

First a heads up, I am listening to an interesting live broadcast preview of the 2014 season right now on Gopher Illustrated. I will post it here if and when it becomes available. As far as your question above, that is correct. Gopher Illustrated's depth chart does lists Williams after Edwards and Kirkwood fourth as shown below. Everything I've seen would indicate that Edwards will likely be seeing a lot of time at the slot position.

QB
7 Mitch Leidner | 6-4, 237, RS SO

5 Chris Streveler | 6-2, 219, RS FR

15 Connor Rhoda | 6-3, 212, RS FR

TB
27 David Cobb | 5-11, 229, SR

32 Berkley Edwards | 5-9, 185, RS FR

35 Rodrick Williams | 5-11, 247, JR

20 Donnell Kirkwood | 5-10, 206, RS SR

WR
4 Donovahn Jones | 6-3, 200, SO

14 Isaac Fruechte | 6-3, 202, RS SR

21 M. Holland Jr. | 6-3, 191, FR

WR
82 Drew Wolitarsky | 6-3, 226, SO

17 Logan Hutton | 6-1, 180, RS SR

84 Isaiah Gentry | 6-4, 193, FR

WR
1 KJ Maye | 5-10, 195, JR

11 Eric Carter | 5-11, 176, RS FR

TE
88 Maxx Williams | 6-4, 250, RS SO

83 Drew Goodger | 6-5, 269, SR

85 Lincoln Plsek | 6-4, 269, JR

39 Nate Wozniak | 6-10, 265, RS FR

OT
78 Ben Lauer | 6-7, 315, RS SO

73 Joe Bjorklund | 6-5, 286, RS JR

74 Marek Lenkiewicz | 6-5, 292, RS SR

OT
65 Josh Campion | 6-5, 317, RS JR

79 Jonah Pirsig | 6-9, 320, RS SO

70 Chad Fahning | 6-6, 286, RS FR

OG
52 Zac Epping | 6-2, 318, RS SR

68 Isaac Hayes | 6-2, 320, RS SO

73 Joe Bjorklund | 6-5, 286, RS JR

OG
77 Foster Bush | 6-5, 304, RS JR

63 Jon Christenson | 6-4, 298, RS JR

66 Luke McAvoy | 6-5, 285, RS JR

C
58 Tommy Olson | 6-4, 306, SR

67 Brian Bobek | 6-2, 302, RS JR

63 Jon Christenson | 6-4, 298, RS JR

https://minnesota.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp
 





I don't think they really see Berkley as a TB very much, they want more power. But he will be used in multiple formations as a slot, or WR with one of the other TBs lined up behind the QB.
 

I wouldnt count Kirk out. he was the #1 RB last season before an injury that gave Cobb a chance. it is always nice to have a couple of options and right now I am ok with any of the top 4 guys.
 

I see it as Cobb then Kirkwood as RBs with Edwards and Williams being situational backs. Edwards probably only lines up at RB in obvious passing situations and Williams being the short yardage specialist.
 

jaymil said:
Hard to say. When the first depth chart is released, the #2 RB will likely read "Donnell Kirkwood OR Rodrick Williams", or vice versa. Both will get opportunities IMO.
Click to expand...

I find it interesting that you posted the same thing in the 2013 poll, linking to the 2012 poll. James Gillum and Marqueis Gray were our consensus top picks. Kirkwood was a distant 3rd.
 

Kirkwood is going to get a lot of yards as a senior. He is hard to see until he is in the hole and tough to take down when he hits it. No break away speed but he dropped a little weight (the coaches seem to control that pretty well) and maybe a little shiftier (he was a little anyway).

I see decent yardage totals for all of them with Cobb leading the way. I've always been a Williams fan (they put weight on him and did not move him to FB).

This could be a record breaking running year for us. The passing game opens up enough to keep the Ds a little bit honest.
 

If our passing game can just be a little dangerous and force the safeties off the line and make the LBs respect play action a bit more...we could see a huge year for all these guys. But if we can't complete passes and make plays downfield on first down every once in a while, its gonna be 8 and 9 man fronts and its gonna be tough sledding again this year.
 

At the start of the season, I'd have to say Cobb. But, it is a grinding tough second half of the season. Staying injury free is the key to playing time. Edwards might lead in all purpose yardage.

I'd expect to see a more potent running attack and definitely a much more improved offense this year. Watch for the TE play this year.

I have never been this excited for the season to start. We have lots of reasons for optimism.
 

I would love to see 4 RB's with at least 500 yards this year.
 

Would not surprise me. Furthermore, I would like to see 2 of them go over 1000 and Leidner under 200.
 

If Leidner is the second leading rusher this season, we are in deep trouble offensively. The key is the OL giving Leidner even an extra second more pass protection, and an expanded play calling repertoire.
 

hungan1 said:
If Leidner is the second leading rusher this season, we are in deep trouble offensively. The key is the OL giving Leidner even an extra second more pass protection, and an expanded play calling repertoire.
Click to expand...

Some clown picked him to be the leading rusher. Whether Leidner is the leading rusher or #2, that would be a terrible sign of how this year would end up. Hearing the OL is deep and experienced, there is no way we'll see him purposely running the ball with any regularity. I see a QB draw from time to time to keep the linebackers honest; but we cannot afford to have a banged up Leidner.
 


Here are the final rushing totals, the biggest surprise is that guys 2-4 are not RBs.

Cobb - 1626
Leidner - 452
Strevler - 235
Maye - 144
Edwards - 140
Williams - 114
Kirkwood - 92
Jones - 22
Epping - 4
 


Stan said:
Here are the final rushing totals, the biggest surprise is that guys 2-4 are not RBs.

Cobb - 1626
Leidner - 452
Strevler - 235
Maye - 144
Edwards - 140
Williams - 114
Kirkwood - 92
Jones - 22
Epping - 4
Click to expand...

Like the receiver poll the 2015 version of this one will be interesting as well since Cobb was a very easy pick for this year. Heading into next year the highest returning RB didn't even crack 200 yards last year and there are some talented young guys that have not set foot on the field yet.
 

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