Ray Buford, a 6-foot-and a half inch and 189-pound corner back from Southfield (MI) High, committed to Minnesota in July.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers finished 8-5 for the second straight season, despite a tough schedule. They finished 5-3 in conference play, one game better than in 2013. Part of the team’s improved record was due to a better-than-expected showing from the defense, despite some key graduation losses.
The Gophers finished seventh in the Big Ten in total defense, fourth in passing defense and eighth in rushing defense. They have received ten defense commitments and are hoping to land one or two more players on the defensive side of the field.
The following is a look at the incoming group of defensive recruits.
Ray Buford, a 6-foot-and a half inch and 189-pound corner back from Southfield (MI) High, committed to Minnesota in July. The senior athlete helped lead the Bluejays to an 8-4 mark this season, losing to De La Salle Collegiate 31-7 in the Division 2 semifinals
Here is a link to a story on Buford.
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/454908?referrer_id=388419
His high school teammate, Dior Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound defensive back, flipped from Wake Forest to Minnesota last week. He has excellent speed and also had offers from Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Miami (OH), Northern Illinois, Toledo, and Western Michigan.
Alonzo Craighton, 6-foot-2, 185-pound defensive back from Geismar (LA) Dutchtown, had offers from Appalachian State, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana Lafayette, Louisiana Monroe and Memphis. He helped lead the Griffins to a 5-7 mark this past season. Craighton is expected to move from safety to cornerback, where he will utilize his 4.6 forty speed.
Winston DeLattiboudere, a 6-foot-3, 216-pound defensive from Ellicott City (MD) Howard, is a late under-the-radar addition. The 17-year old had offers from Idaho, Maine, Monmouth, North Carolina Central, and Rhode Island and was named the Baltimore Sun All-Metro Defensive player of the Year. DeLattiboudere helped lead the Lions to a 12-1 mark, losing to Old Mill in the Class 4A state semifinals.
Mose Hall, a 6-foot-4ΒΈ 255-pound defensive end from Mobile (AL) Murphy, committed to Minnesota last week. He attended the same high school as current Gophers K.J. Maye and Gary Moore. Hall was named Alabama Class 7A All-State Second Team after leading the Panthers to a 7-4 mark, losing to Phoenix City Central 20-14 in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs. He also had offers from Illinois, Maryland and Wake Forest.
Antonio Shenault, a 5-foot-11, 179-pound defensive back from Roselle Park (IL) Lake Park, committed to Minnesota in October. He also had offers from Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Iowa State, Northern Illinois, Toledo and Wyoming. Shenault helped lead the Lancers to a 5-4 mark this past season.
Jaylen Waters, 6-foot-1, 228-pound linebacker from Copperas Cove (TX) High, helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 7-4 mark this past season. Waters, who also committed to Minnesota in November, had offers from Texas State and Nevada.