The staff will hit the recruiting trail beginning tomorrow for the spring evaluation period. We're looking at the recruits who already have offers and those that may soon have an offer from the Gophers. The spring evaluation period ends May 31.

Today, we're talking about Minnesota.

The staff has its first commitment for the Class 2017 from an in-state recruit, three-star offensive lineman Blaise Andries, who pledged his commitment on Saturday.

Other in-state prospects with an offer from the Gophers are offensive tackle Eric Abojei, offensive guard Eric Wilson, and kicker Grant Ryerse. Both Abojei and Wilson have been present at practices this spring and both have expressed wanting to play for the Gophers. As far as crystal ball predictions go, I would pick both of these two to pick Minnesota, especially after Andries committed.

Here is a list of some other Minnesota prospects the staff could possible offer.

Ricky Floyd, Benilde-St. Margaret's HS, RB. Attends same high school at Eric Wilson, so they've clearly seen the kid play, at list on film, as he's probably the one running through gaps made possible by Wilson. Floyd is a two-star recruit with no offers, according to our system at Rivals.

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Nico Bolden, Woodbury, DB. Bolden is regarded as one of the top five recruits in Minnesota. A 6-foot-4 safety, Bolden is rated a three-star recruit. I can see him being recruited as a tight end as well, and given his frame, he could be a defensive end if he can put on 25-30 more pounds.

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Malik Lofton, Hopkins HS, DB: Lofton has about six offers and attended Minnesota's spring game. His, Andre McDonald. cousin played one season at Minnesota

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J.J. Drew, Eden Prairie, OL. Holds an offer from Cornell and Miami (Ohio). Has made unofficial visits to Minnesota this spring. 6-foot-6, 300 pounds.

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The University of Minnesota baseball program is ranked 25th in the latest D1baseball poll.

The ranking marks the first time since June 29, 2009 the Gophers have been placed in the top 25.

With an overall record 21-11, the Maroon and Gold have captured series wins against the No. 1, 2 and 4 preseason Big Ten favorites, including No. 25 Michigan on the road. Minnesota also left No. 23 Missouri State with two wins back in March.

Gophers offered Jericho Sims today. Jericho is the guy with Trevor quick bounce, Rodney length, and he is 6-ft-9. So much potential. His brother is Dominique Sims who played football here, dad played football here too.

Eric Abojei, a 3-star in-state lineman, just committed to the Gophers, their second commit for 2017
You can listen to Abojei talk about his commitment on our podcast here

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Taking place Friday night 7 pm on ESPN 2. This game is every bit as good as the McDonald's game. A lot of really good players playing tomorrow now night

Abojei said his visit went well. Still no timetable for a decision, but yesterday was he first time his parents made the trip with him. Abojei has been on campus several times throughout the spring to watch practice.

"It's always good , took my parents with me for the first time and they liked it "

Abojei visited Iowa State last weekend instead of going to the Minnesota spring game, so that could be the reason he has yet to commit.

The other sites are reporting 2 key visitors this weekend.. anyone hear anything on this board?

Rumored on Twitter. Another 2017 pf.

I have mixed feelings on this ... rising player, for sure, but worried about what this means regarding our confidence in getting Theo John. Although I guess who knows, maybe he'll end up being better than John?

So many legit top-150 prospects in 2017. Heck, enough to stock two really good AAU teams. Looks like both Pulley and D1 Minn are really good.

Storley now 4-0 after TKO at RFA 37

Mark Palmer, InterMat Senior Writer
4/16/2016

Logan Storley, four-time NCAA All-American wrestler at University of Minnesota, maintained his perfect 4-0 record as a professional in mixed martial arts with a second-round TKO in his welterweight match at Resurrection Fighting Alliance's RFA 37 at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota Friday night.


Logan Storley

Storley dispatched Cody Lincoln with what MMA website Sherdog.com described as a "bone-jarring right hand and follow-up punches" in 13 seconds of the second round of their scheduled three-round bout.

"Lincoln (3-1) offered little in terms of resistance," Sherdog's Brian Knapp continued. "Storley executed a double-leg takedown early in round one, carved through the North Dakotan's guard and battered him with ground-and-pound. Lincoln weathered the initial advances but only prolonged the inevitable. Storley met him with a straight right hand at the start of the second round and pounded away with punches until referee Bobby Wombacher had seen enough."

"He was very good on the ground with jiu jitsu -- better than I expected," Storley told the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. "But I put some pressure on him, hit him with some right hands, and hurt him."

When the former Golden Gopher mat star saw Lincoln come out of his corner for Round Two, Storley noted, "I knew he was hurting but I had to continue to push that pace -- get in his face, and then I landed that big shot that ended the night for him."

Storley's performance was observed in person by Dana White, CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championships, who commented on the prospect's earlier comments of taking his time and not rushing his MMA career in a cageside interview.

"I agree with him one-hundred percent," said White. "He's green, he's young… This kid needs to take his time. Four or five more fights, I'd like to bring him into The Ultimate Fighter, see how he does. I agree with him. He's smart."

With the win, Storley is now 4-0 in his young pro MMA career which he announced almost exactly one year ago. A native of Webster, S.D. -- same hometown as fellow former Golden Gopher wrestler and former UFC champ Brock Lesnar -- Storley was a six-time South Dakota high school state champion wrestler who went on to a sterling career at Minnesota. After three amateur MMA events, Storley has made a splash by ending his first three pro matches in short order, scoring first-round TKOs in that trio of earlier events.

"You guys got a good one in Damarcus Williams. Your fans are going to love him"
My wife and I were coming out of Elvira's Restaurant in the tourist hamlet of Tobak, Arizona, and this guy rolled down the window
and shouted it out. His vehicle had a Alabama
license plate, so when we got back home home I looked up Williams profile and I see he is from Jackson, Alabama. His rivals profile.didn't show any film. I wonder if MJH or one of the mods could put another clip of him up? I must have missed it when we were recruiting him.

Troy Dipre, a former safety at Kent State, announced he will transfer to Minnesota.

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Dipre was ranked 83rd in the nation as inside linebacker coming out of high school. He played in 12 games at Kent State where he recorded nine tackles.

Gopher target Solon Page III has committed to Tennessee.

https://tennessee.n.rivals.com/news/impact-analysis-solon-page-iii

saw it on bleacher report. Got on here to get more info and nothing is on even mentioning it. Pretty sad

When do we start the robbery?

wih Dorsey transferring and springs coming in for a year, that as of now leaves us with 2 2017 schollies. Who would you like to see fill them up??

Personally? I think the biggest postitions of need are a 5 man and a PG: lynch, konate, Gas, and Mason will all be seniors who play those positions.

With that being said, it honestly might be the Champlain park teammates who fill this void the best if that's our biggest need.

What happens if another 2017 schollie opens up which I am anticipating. I'm a ruevers fan and love his game but analyzing our roster, we are going to be in dire need of scoring/shooting from the guard spot. Wright could give you a little boost but we are still thin at guard. Mason, wright, sharp, and mcbrayer would be only guards again.

The Williams kid who RJ has a post about would fill in nicely... The problem is, that schollie most likely will open up late from a transfer and so it might not be available until' the spring of 17'

We'll have to wait and see but very excited to see this team continue to fill in the pieces... Hopefully with some MN kids as part of the puzzle

'16-'17 Golden Gopher football.

Great team, greatest team, or worst team ever?

Make sure to read his quotes about his commit. The Gopher players were huge in this. He said they were the biggest reason he came over other high major programs. Good stuff.

https://minnesota.n.rivals.com/publishing/contents/1677679/edit

USC hires Lynn Swan to be AD. He was in my top 5 candidates for our job

Don't know if anyone cares, or even know's who he is, but his new album is really really good. Worth the I-Tunes download.

I am a huge fan of his and Jason Isabell.

(Posted in another thread but can't remember which one). Would love to get a copy of spring game to rewatch (don't get BTN). Happy to pay a reasonable fee and s&h. Thanks.

He just announced his decision moments ago. Nice grab for Minnesota adding backcourt depth and making sure there is a second scholarship for 2017 class.

Pitino just said that he doesn't anticipate anybody else transferring although he wouldn't be surprised if somebody does.

I thought I would post that as I'm sure it will find it's way here.

What do I think of it? I think that is the answer you would expect him to give. Pretty much leaves it open that it could happen.

If you bring in two recruits that would need scholarships next year on the same weekend, it's my guess that you likely think somebody else will go.

Here is the video/article on Williams as we get ready for the open period. There is a pretty good highlight video of him to give you an indication of what he does. Offer list isn't big but based on what I've been hearing he is a guy that is going to explode this spring. Had a very strong start to the AAU year with New Heights the past two weekends.

Have a look, this is a guy they jump in on early ahead of the rush.

https://minnesota.n.rivals.com/news/2017-prospect-watch-keith-williams

The open period preview is up right now. Where are they going? Who are the coaches watching? We give you the best answers we can to those questions. All of the Minnesota offered talent that GI knows about is in New York and Dallas this weekend so expect the staff to be in New York and Dallas this weekend, plus they will be checking on local talent this weekend in the local event. I will be local this weekend and I have plans to see some streamed games of EYBL play as well.

https://minnesota.n.rivals.com/news/open-period-preview-minnesota-1

You guys remember Mykelti Williams who was originally a silent verbal to us and then Notre Dame swooped in and picked him up?

We ended up with Dior Johnson, but I guess now Mykelti Williams is trying to transfer from Notre Dame. Are we interested?

http://www.onefootdown.com/2016/3/23/11290394/breaking-safety-mykelti-williams-transferrring