Last somewhat real practice before the spring game on Saturday. No tackling still even though they were in full pads. Least attended practice of the spring attendance wise too. Notes will be a little more brief than the past as there's not a lot I haven't touched on and I feel like I'm just regurgitating the same info. If there's something you want my opinion on, please leave a comment below.
The flu bug is going around the team right now as KJ Maye and Hank Ekpe were two victims not at practice. De'Niro Laster was also out and sounds like he broke his pinky finger, but no word if surgery is needed and when that would be.
Also worth noting that DL Gary Moore went down today with a hand injury and that WR Isaiah Gentry practiced today as the staff is working him back in off his hammy injury.
Notes:
I thought Leidner had one of his best days of the spring throwing the ball. Was delivering the ball on time, with velocity and accuracy as well. Was routinely hitting the receiver in the chest with the ball.
Two receivers that had nice days were freshman Jeff Jones and walk-on freshman Will Reger as well. Jeff did very well in getting separation from the DB's during 1 on 1's and his ability to cut on a dime and get open is something that Minnesota can't keep off the field this fall. I think he's going to play a majority of the time at receiver as Minnesota needs the talent there. This is a couple practices in a row that Reger has caught my eye as he's 6'3" 195-200 pounds with long arms and good speed. He made a couple impressive catches on a seam and fade route. I don't think he'll be seeing the field this fall, but has been impressive.
Gaelin Elmore and Andrew Stelter both put in good days as they're pass rush was on point. Elmore has the frame and motor that if he keeps putting together a nice arsenal of moves, he could be special here in a few years. Plays with a chip on his shoulder. Stelter's motor stands out to me each practice and he's giving it all and always chases down the ball carrier no matter where he's at.
Gibson is at H-back / tight end and he just hasn't got a lot of passes thrown his way. Looks very fluid in drills catching the ball, but he's stuck behind Duke Anyanwu. I think he can absolutely be a mismatch against a linebacker in space and that's probably how he'll end up being used early in his career, but has some older guys ahead of him right now.
The offense ran at Campbell Saturday and they moved down the field. Getting off a block hasn't been great for him so far, but he'll have every opportunity to keep his spot with his physical attributes.
Jacob Huff has come a long way since his first college practice. Looks a lot more comfortable in the schemes and drills and it's showing. Has done well in one on ones and is on the 3rd team DB unit with Ayinde at the other safety spot. Tough to say if he'll play ST as they are five other DB's coming in this fall, but I think his brother LB Julian Huff is almost a lock to be a ST this fall.
I'd guess he would. If Gary Moore can be the number 19 on the DL, Jeff can be 16 out wide at receiver or a tail back.
Laster was in an orange injured jersey and did not practice and I don't believe we'll see him again this spring and they'll let his hand/finger heal.
Haven't heard a lot of steam on Epping or Botticelli lately, so take that FWIW. Kirkwood was the only guy there today. Derrick Wells and Jephete Matilus are two graduates that have been around a lot.
If you're talking about the guy I'm thinking about is Szucs, he works a lot with the defensive and calls out the plays. Helps with the defense. Not sure what his title is though.
2) Offensive line with the pass rush - keeping Leidner clean is one of if not the biggest key to the Gophers success this season
3) Quarterback play - Leidner needs to get healthy and stay that way, plus keep progressing as a player
4) Defensive line and the run - Gophers were susceptible to the run at times last year and that has come up a time or two this spring
5) Find a consistent pass rush - There a lot of guys on the defensive line such as Cockran, Hank Ekpe, Keith, Elmore and Richardson up the middle that have shown flashes this spring, but that needs to translate to the field this fall and too many times last year the quarterback had way too much time.
Anything you guys want answered, please leave below!
The flu bug is going around the team right now as KJ Maye and Hank Ekpe were two victims not at practice. De'Niro Laster was also out and sounds like he broke his pinky finger, but no word if surgery is needed and when that would be.
Also worth noting that DL Gary Moore went down today with a hand injury and that WR Isaiah Gentry practiced today as the staff is working him back in off his hammy injury.
Notes:
I thought Leidner had one of his best days of the spring throwing the ball. Was delivering the ball on time, with velocity and accuracy as well. Was routinely hitting the receiver in the chest with the ball.
Two receivers that had nice days were freshman Jeff Jones and walk-on freshman Will Reger as well. Jeff did very well in getting separation from the DB's during 1 on 1's and his ability to cut on a dime and get open is something that Minnesota can't keep off the field this fall. I think he's going to play a majority of the time at receiver as Minnesota needs the talent there. This is a couple practices in a row that Reger has caught my eye as he's 6'3" 195-200 pounds with long arms and good speed. He made a couple impressive catches on a seam and fade route. I don't think he'll be seeing the field this fall, but has been impressive.
Gaelin Elmore and Andrew Stelter both put in good days as they're pass rush was on point. Elmore has the frame and motor that if he keeps putting together a nice arsenal of moves, he could be special here in a few years. Plays with a chip on his shoulder. Stelter's motor stands out to me each practice and he's giving it all and always chases down the ball carrier no matter where he's at.
Berk looks improved in all areas including catching the ball and pass protection. Edwards ran into some nagging injuries last season, but I think he can definitely contribute this fall. His progression this spring to me is part of the reason Jeff is at receiver as the offensive staff has so many mouths to feed that it'll be interesting to see how they divvy touches up.
Gibson is at H-back / tight end and he just hasn't got a lot of passes thrown his way. Looks very fluid in drills catching the ball, but he's stuck behind Duke Anyanwu. I think he can absolutely be a mismatch against a linebacker in space and that's probably how he'll end up being used early in his career, but has some older guys ahead of him right now.
The offense ran at Campbell Saturday and they moved down the field. Getting off a block hasn't been great for him so far, but he'll have every opportunity to keep his spot with his physical attributes.
Jacob Huff has come a long way since his first college practice. Looks a lot more comfortable in the schemes and drills and it's showing. Has done well in one on ones and is on the 3rd team DB unit with Ayinde at the other safety spot. Tough to say if he'll play ST as they are five other DB's coming in this fall, but I think his brother LB Julian Huff is almost a lock to be a ST this fall.
I'd guess he would. If Gary Moore can be the number 19 on the DL, Jeff can be 16 out wide at receiver or a tail back.
I don't know that Kill ever addressed Scarver's injury, so I don't believe I address it, but I thought it was a shoulder or hammy, but he's fully healthy now and practiced today.
Laster was in an orange injured jersey and did not practice and I don't believe we'll see him again this spring and they'll let his hand/finger heal.
Haven't heard a lot of steam on Epping or Botticelli lately, so take that FWIW. Kirkwood was the only guy there today. Derrick Wells and Jephete Matilus are two graduates that have been around a lot.
If you're talking about the guy I'm thinking about is Szucs, he works a lot with the defensive and calls out the plays. Helps with the defense. Not sure what his title is though.
1) Wide receiver consistency - getting separation / running the correct route / catching the ball
2) Offensive line with the pass rush - keeping Leidner clean is one of if not the biggest key to the Gophers success this season
3) Quarterback play - Leidner needs to get healthy and stay that way, plus keep progressing as a player
4) Defensive line and the run - Gophers were susceptible to the run at times last year and that has come up a time or two this spring
5) Find a consistent pass rush - There a lot of guys on the defensive line such as Cockran, Hank Ekpe, Keith, Elmore and Richardson up the middle that have shown flashes this spring, but that needs to translate to the field this fall and too many times last year the quarterback had way too much time.
Anything you guys want answered, please leave below!
