With my version of the projected 2015 offensive class going live yesterday, might as well post my thoughts on a projected 2015 defensive class. Again, huge disclaimer here that it's 222 days until signing day so A LOT of things will change between now and then.
Defensive end Two projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Burleson (Texas) defensive end Kenneth Mann
I put Mann on the top target spot for defensive ends, but to be quite honest here I'm not entirely sure what's going on with the defensive line recruiting right now. I look at the offer list and there's not a guy I look at that stands out saying, "Man, Minnesota is really after him" or "He's got high interest in Minnesota and is setting up a visit soon". The Gophers really made an impact with their defensive line class last year and we'll see what happens for this class. Anyways, back to Mann, he told me a few weeks back that he's looking at setting up an official visit to Minnesota this fall.
Other top options:
2) Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas defensive end Wyatt Ray
Ray received an offer from Coach Reeves about three weeks ago and Ray and his teammate Chris Hart both received offers that day and both have some interest in taking visits here this fall. Ray visited Boston College recently and they emerged as his leader and he's also recently been to UCLA. I don anticipate Minnesota getting a commitment from Ray.
3) Chicago (Ill.) Mt. Carmel defensive end Kevin Thurmon
Thurman was a guy that really impressed me at Minnesota's one day camp earlier this month as he really excelled both in the board drill and in the pass rush section. He didn't have a chance to play much last year as he was stuck behind Minnesota commit Steve Richardson and Michigan State commit Enoch Smith, so he's very under the radar. I think his skill set fits what Minnesota's is looking for in a rush end, he's just a little on the smaller size as he remind me a little taller Alex Keith.
Who does Minnesota get? TBD. Maybe Justin Foster is a DE, but I don't think Minnesota has offered them yet.
Defensive Tackle: One projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Canadian defensive tackle Neville Gallimore
Between Gary Moore, Steven Richardson and probably Andrew Stelter being defensive tackles from the 2014 class, I believe Minnesota really only needs one DT in this class. The top target for the staff is definitely Gallimore as they extended and early on and visited him twice this spring in Canada. I get the feeling that Minnesota still has a chance with Gallimore because of that, but it's not a very good one. I wouldn't get my hopes up as Gallimore as offers from across the country.
Other top options:
2) Woodstock (Ga.) Etowah defensive tackle Scott Morgan
Scott and his twin OL Brad both received offers from Coach Anderson and they're working on setting up a visit next month. If not then, they'll definitely be on official visits this fall. Sources have told me that Minnesota would love to add both as they're both guys with high motors and great work ethics who the staff feels would make a great impact at Minnesota. We'll see if (and when) Minnesota fills up on the OL what happens with the Gophers and Scott. Minnesota does have a good shot with the Morgan's.
3) Cleveland Heights (Ohio) defensive tackle Mario Patton
Patton is an interesting offer as his only other one is from Bowling Green so far and he's been very quiet in his recruiting. I'm not entirely sure if this offer is a committable one right now, but we'll have to wait and see if the Gophers bring him on an official visit this fall. Patton does have a connection with current Gopher De'Niro Laster as they both played at the same high school.
Who does Minnesota get? Scott Morgan
Linebacker: Three projected (One committed - Julian Huff)
Top Target: Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett linebacker Anree Saint-Amour
Coach Sherels has been the main recruiter for Saint-Amour and he's been working extremely hard to set up an official visit with him for the October 18th game with his teammate Almonzo Brown (official visit set with). I've heard that Saint-Amour is the top target on the board for Sherels at linebacker and the staff really believes that if they can get him on campus, they'll have a good shot. Problem is Saint-Amour has offers from everyone including: Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee and Mississippi State among others, so he'll have his pick. I've heard that Michigan State is currently in the lead for Saint-Amour, but we'll see what happens after he takes some visits this fall. Minnesota will go all in for Saint-Amour and they're working hard to get him up for the BBQ next month.
Other top options:
2) Spiro (Okla.) outside linebacker McKinley Whitfield
Coach Sherels has gone after Whitfield extremely hard since he offered him this spring after seeing him live. The Gophers love his length and think that he has the frame to put on weight quickly after getting him into Coach Klein's program. I fully expect Whitfield to pick up an offer from Arkansas next month after he camps there and there will be more programs to jump in on him. Minnesota has already set up an official visit for the homecoming game in October versus Purdue and that's the only one set thus far. I've heard that Whitfield wants to get away from home and Minnesota would be a great fit for him. The Gophers are his top school right now.
3) Columbus (Ohio) Walnut Ridge linebacker Anthony McKee
McKee is a guy that most of the Big Ten would love to have with offers from Wisconsin, Michigan State, Illinois, Indiana and Rutgers among others. McKee tells GI that Coach Z and Sherels have been in contact with him a lot lately and that's looking to take an official visit out here this fall. Just getting McKee on campus would go a long way for the Gophers chances. That being said, Minnesota is right in the thick of it for McKee.
4) River Ridge (La.) John Curtis linebacker Bo Wallace
If you want to shoot for the stars and hope Minnesota hits the lottery, here's your guy. Wallace has offers from Notre Dame, Nebraska, UCLA and Oklahoma among others, but I'm told by sources that Minnesota is still in it. I've heard that Wallace really likes Minnesota's reputation for not being shady in the recruiting business and how the Gophers recruit. Coach Kill spoke with Wallace this past week and I'm told that went very well and I wouldn't be shocked if Wallace comes on an official visit. That being said, I see this as an extreme long shot, but I'm telling you there's a chance...
5) Valencia (Calif.) linebacker JayJay Wilson
Wilson is a huge wild card for me. If you watch his film, he plays with great speed and a ton of aggression and would make an immediate impact from day one in my eyes. The problem is getting him to leave the West Coast for a place like Minnesota when he'll have a lot of options else where. Valencia is the same high school as former Gopher Brock Vereen, so Minnesota's name there is at an all-time high after Brock being drafted. I've been told that Wilson does have interest in Minnesota and it'll be interesting to see if the staff can get him on a visit this fall.
6) Crete (Ill.) Monee outside linebacker Omari Stringer
I'm not sure with what Stringer has said to other places in the media, but it truly is a two-team race between Indiana and Minnesota with the Gophers slightly behind. Stringer's mom has visited Indiana and is very comfortable with him going there and the issue with that is that Stringer told me today that he's looking to make a decision in the next 14-21 days and that he'll only now attend the BBQ if he picks Minnesota. That means Mom hasn't seen the campus and if she doesn't before he makes his decision, that's usually never a good sign. Plus, Stringer is coming off the high of a great visit at Indiana last weekend and he wants to play in a 3/4 (which Indiana is now) and not a 4/3 (like Minnesota) ideally. The thing Minnesota does have going for them that does make a difference with Stringer is that he does acknowledge that Minnesota is a better team and he loves Coach Kill. He tells me that it's neck and neck between the two schools, so we'll see what happens.
7) Copperas Cove inside linebacker Jaylen Waters
Coach Sherels set up an unofficial visit for Waters and his mother to come up for the BBQ in July last week and the tickets have already been purchased, so it's a done deal he'll be up here. Minnesota loved his Nike combine numbers as he ran a electronic 4.70 40, 4.40 shuttle and had a 33" vertical and that combined with his Mike linebacker mentality and aggressiveness make him a great prospect. Minnesota is in the lead for Waters and he's a guy that the staff would take if he wanted to commit. I'd say there's a shot of that happening next month.
Other guys who I wouldn't be shocked to see on official visits this fall are Roswell (Ga.) Centennial outside linebacker Marquise Copeland.
Who does Minnesota get? Julian Huff, Jaylen Waters and McKinley Whitfield (Minnesota would make room no matter what for Saint-Amour, McKee, Wallace and Wilson).
Cornerbacks: Three-four projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Spring (Texas) cornerback Willie Sykes
Sykes definitely tops my list and I'm pretty sure Sawvel's list for cornerbacks. He's extremely fast as he runs a legit 4.4 with a great shuttle time and put that together with his impressive length and I've heard that the staff thinks that he could be the next Eric Murray. Sykes has made it no secret that Minnesota is his top school as he has a great relationship with Coach Sawvel and has talked with current players and all of Minnesota's defensive coaches. Sykes is working on getting up to Minnesota sometime this summer, but money is tight. If he can't make it up there, Sykes tells me there's a very good chance that he'll take his official visit for the San Jose State game in September. From what I'm hearing, I'd be shocked if Sykes doesn't commit to Minnesota by the time the season starts. It's not a matter if for Sykes, it's a matter of when.
Other top options:
2) Geismar (La.) Dutchtown cornerback Alonzo Craighton
Craighton is another guy that Sawvel really wants as he has a great combination of length and speed. Craighton recently ran a 4.5 forty at LSU's camp this past month and you have to remember that he's also 6'1" and 180 lbs. Most schools view Craighton as a safety, but Minnesota really likes what he could bring as a corner. Minnesota is currently his top school and he's working on setting a potential official visit date for the September 20th game against San Jose State. The staff is really hoping that they can lock down Craighton early on.
3) Oak Park (Mich.) athlete John Kelly
You'll notice that I've moved Kelly to defense now and that's what I'm hearing that he'd prefer to play in college now. Minnesota would take Kelly as either a running back or cornerback, so it makes no difference to them. It's going to be a battle between Minnesota and Michigan State to land his services and I'm hearing that Minnesota leads slightly as of today. Michigan State tried to put the press on him recently to commit and Kelly didn't like that very much and he'll be attending the BBQ in July as well. I don't expect Kelly to commit soon, but each time he comes back to campus only helps more and more. Put that together with his long-time friend and safety Ray Buford in serious consideration for an offer, things look good.
4) Webb City (Mo.) cornerback KiAnte Hardin
Coach Claeys saw Hardin live back in May and that's when the decision to offer him was made. The Gophers will take one smaller corner in this class and if you're going to take a small one, you want them to be like Hardin. He's ran 4.4 forties at camps recently with great shuttle and verticals, so he's a very good athlete. Put that together with all the connections that Coach Kill has in Webb City and the fact that Hardin and his cousin are coming to visit Minnesota for the BBQ in July, things are trending up for Minnesota's chances. Hardin is eyeing a decision date of late September.
5) Roselle (Ill.) Lake Park cornerback Antonio Shenault
Coach Phelps went and saw Shenault work out this past spring and came back impressed. That coupled with Shenault's impressive Nike combine times make Shenault a top target. Shenault has told GI that he's working on setting up a visit for he and his mother to come up to the Twin Cities next month to visit and that still holds true today. Sources have told me that Shenault is a definite take for the staff. Minnesota and Iowa State are his top schools.
6) Tampa (Fla.) Plant cornerback Derrick Baity
Coach Claeys went and saw Baity live this spring and then Coach Sawvel called and extended the offer. Baity does have offers from Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and UCF among others, but sources have told me he does have interest in taking an official visit to Minnesota this fall. Baity is taking things slow with the process and he does plan on taking his official visits this fall before coming to any kind of a decision.
7) Cincinnati (Ohio) Colerain Jeff Christian
Christian does have a Minnesota offer, but he's not as high on the board as some of Minnesota's other corners, which is why I have him where I do. Christian is going to try and visit Minnesota is July, but I don't think he'd have a committable offer as like I said, Minnesota is sitting good with guys higher on the board. If that were to change, I'd think that Christian will be a guy they'll go after hard.
Who does Minnesota get? Willie Sykes, John Kelly, KiAnte Hardin and (if they take a 4th CB) Alonzo Craighton or Antonio Shenault
Safety: Two/three projected (One committed in Jacob Huff)
The latest I'm hearing is that Minnesota will get six defensive backs in this class and it'll either be four corners and two safeties or three corner and three safeties, so the point here is expect a lot of defensive backs. With Huff already committed at safety, I expect there will be quite the competition for last spot(s).
Top Target: Geismar (La.) Dutchtown safety Justin Reid
Coach Sawvel is going to do everything in his legal power to try and land Justin Reid. Plain and Simple. Reid's combination of rich NFL bloodlines and an electronic 4.6 forty at 6'2" 190 lbs are enough for me to put Reid here. Academics are something that Reid holds in high regard and he has high enough interest in Minnesota to where I think he'll take an official visit this fall. Reid is going to be a tough pull, but Minnesota has as good of a shot as any team right now. The Gophers would be ecstatic to land Reid.
Other top options:
2) Council Bluffs (Iowa) Iowa Western community college safety Charlie Rogers
Rogers could be considered the other top target at safety as Minnesota is looking to add a JUCO DB in this class. Sources have told me that the Gophers feel like they're sitting very well for Rogers and believe they'll get him on an official visit in August. I've also heard that Rogers' mother has gotten on Charlie to where she believes he should have gone to Minnesota the first time. I think that the Gophers biggest competitor will be Illinois, but Rogers feels very comfortable with the Minnesota's staff and Brock being drafted really helps Minnesota here.
3) Destrehan (La.) safety Brandon Scott
Scott is another high very high on Minnesota's board and along with Reid, he's a guy that Minnesota will take no matter what. With Scott, I've heard from a source close to things that Minnesota is in his top five with Arizona State, UCF, Texas Tech and Iowa State. All schools that I believe the Gophers can beat. Scott is looking at scheduling a visit to Minnesota this summer still and is looking to make a decision before the season. If Scott gets on campus, I love the Gophers chances there. He has to visit for that to happen though.
4) Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point safety Jameel Cook
Cook recently committed to Maryland and is currently visiting there now, but sources tell me that Cook is still very much open to visiting Minnesota this fall. Cook recently spoke with both Coach Kill and Sawvel and especially if Maryland doesn't do well in their first year in the Big Ten, Cook is suspect-able to flipping. If Minnesota does go three safeties, I think you'll see Cook visit this fall.
5) Southfield (Mich.) safety Ray Buford
Buford is a guy that's popped up on Minnesota's radar starting at the Sound Body Sound Mind Camp out in Michigan a few weeks back. Buford did well there and he's recently done well at Michigan State's and Ohio State's camps respectively. The reason Minnesota is heistant about offering is Buford tore his ACL during the second game of the season last year, so there isn't a lot of film on him. I'm hearing that it's a matter of "when" not "if" Minnesota offers as the Gophers just want to see him live one more time first before pulling the trigger. Buford is very close with John Kelly and Kelly is working on getting Buford out here in July for the BBQ. If that happens and Buford were to camp, I think an offer comes.
Who does Minnesota get? Jacob Huff, Charlie Rogers and (if they take a 3rd safety) and Ray Buford
Any questions or comments, please leave them below.
This post was edited on 6/30 12:38 PM by Ryan Burns
Defensive end Two projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Burleson (Texas) defensive end Kenneth Mann
I put Mann on the top target spot for defensive ends, but to be quite honest here I'm not entirely sure what's going on with the defensive line recruiting right now. I look at the offer list and there's not a guy I look at that stands out saying, "Man, Minnesota is really after him" or "He's got high interest in Minnesota and is setting up a visit soon". The Gophers really made an impact with their defensive line class last year and we'll see what happens for this class. Anyways, back to Mann, he told me a few weeks back that he's looking at setting up an official visit to Minnesota this fall.
Other top options:
2) Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas defensive end Wyatt Ray
Ray received an offer from Coach Reeves about three weeks ago and Ray and his teammate Chris Hart both received offers that day and both have some interest in taking visits here this fall. Ray visited Boston College recently and they emerged as his leader and he's also recently been to UCLA. I don anticipate Minnesota getting a commitment from Ray.
3) Chicago (Ill.) Mt. Carmel defensive end Kevin Thurmon
Thurman was a guy that really impressed me at Minnesota's one day camp earlier this month as he really excelled both in the board drill and in the pass rush section. He didn't have a chance to play much last year as he was stuck behind Minnesota commit Steve Richardson and Michigan State commit Enoch Smith, so he's very under the radar. I think his skill set fits what Minnesota's is looking for in a rush end, he's just a little on the smaller size as he remind me a little taller Alex Keith.
Who does Minnesota get? TBD. Maybe Justin Foster is a DE, but I don't think Minnesota has offered them yet.
Defensive Tackle: One projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Canadian defensive tackle Neville Gallimore
Between Gary Moore, Steven Richardson and probably Andrew Stelter being defensive tackles from the 2014 class, I believe Minnesota really only needs one DT in this class. The top target for the staff is definitely Gallimore as they extended and early on and visited him twice this spring in Canada. I get the feeling that Minnesota still has a chance with Gallimore because of that, but it's not a very good one. I wouldn't get my hopes up as Gallimore as offers from across the country.
Other top options:
2) Woodstock (Ga.) Etowah defensive tackle Scott Morgan
Scott and his twin OL Brad both received offers from Coach Anderson and they're working on setting up a visit next month. If not then, they'll definitely be on official visits this fall. Sources have told me that Minnesota would love to add both as they're both guys with high motors and great work ethics who the staff feels would make a great impact at Minnesota. We'll see if (and when) Minnesota fills up on the OL what happens with the Gophers and Scott. Minnesota does have a good shot with the Morgan's.
3) Cleveland Heights (Ohio) defensive tackle Mario Patton
Patton is an interesting offer as his only other one is from Bowling Green so far and he's been very quiet in his recruiting. I'm not entirely sure if this offer is a committable one right now, but we'll have to wait and see if the Gophers bring him on an official visit this fall. Patton does have a connection with current Gopher De'Niro Laster as they both played at the same high school.
Who does Minnesota get? Scott Morgan
Linebacker: Three projected (One committed - Julian Huff)
Top Target: Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett linebacker Anree Saint-Amour
Coach Sherels has been the main recruiter for Saint-Amour and he's been working extremely hard to set up an official visit with him for the October 18th game with his teammate Almonzo Brown (official visit set with). I've heard that Saint-Amour is the top target on the board for Sherels at linebacker and the staff really believes that if they can get him on campus, they'll have a good shot. Problem is Saint-Amour has offers from everyone including: Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee and Mississippi State among others, so he'll have his pick. I've heard that Michigan State is currently in the lead for Saint-Amour, but we'll see what happens after he takes some visits this fall. Minnesota will go all in for Saint-Amour and they're working hard to get him up for the BBQ next month.
Other top options:
2) Spiro (Okla.) outside linebacker McKinley Whitfield
Coach Sherels has gone after Whitfield extremely hard since he offered him this spring after seeing him live. The Gophers love his length and think that he has the frame to put on weight quickly after getting him into Coach Klein's program. I fully expect Whitfield to pick up an offer from Arkansas next month after he camps there and there will be more programs to jump in on him. Minnesota has already set up an official visit for the homecoming game in October versus Purdue and that's the only one set thus far. I've heard that Whitfield wants to get away from home and Minnesota would be a great fit for him. The Gophers are his top school right now.
3) Columbus (Ohio) Walnut Ridge linebacker Anthony McKee
McKee is a guy that most of the Big Ten would love to have with offers from Wisconsin, Michigan State, Illinois, Indiana and Rutgers among others. McKee tells GI that Coach Z and Sherels have been in contact with him a lot lately and that's looking to take an official visit out here this fall. Just getting McKee on campus would go a long way for the Gophers chances. That being said, Minnesota is right in the thick of it for McKee.
4) River Ridge (La.) John Curtis linebacker Bo Wallace
If you want to shoot for the stars and hope Minnesota hits the lottery, here's your guy. Wallace has offers from Notre Dame, Nebraska, UCLA and Oklahoma among others, but I'm told by sources that Minnesota is still in it. I've heard that Wallace really likes Minnesota's reputation for not being shady in the recruiting business and how the Gophers recruit. Coach Kill spoke with Wallace this past week and I'm told that went very well and I wouldn't be shocked if Wallace comes on an official visit. That being said, I see this as an extreme long shot, but I'm telling you there's a chance...
5) Valencia (Calif.) linebacker JayJay Wilson
Wilson is a huge wild card for me. If you watch his film, he plays with great speed and a ton of aggression and would make an immediate impact from day one in my eyes. The problem is getting him to leave the West Coast for a place like Minnesota when he'll have a lot of options else where. Valencia is the same high school as former Gopher Brock Vereen, so Minnesota's name there is at an all-time high after Brock being drafted. I've been told that Wilson does have interest in Minnesota and it'll be interesting to see if the staff can get him on a visit this fall.
6) Crete (Ill.) Monee outside linebacker Omari Stringer
I'm not sure with what Stringer has said to other places in the media, but it truly is a two-team race between Indiana and Minnesota with the Gophers slightly behind. Stringer's mom has visited Indiana and is very comfortable with him going there and the issue with that is that Stringer told me today that he's looking to make a decision in the next 14-21 days and that he'll only now attend the BBQ if he picks Minnesota. That means Mom hasn't seen the campus and if she doesn't before he makes his decision, that's usually never a good sign. Plus, Stringer is coming off the high of a great visit at Indiana last weekend and he wants to play in a 3/4 (which Indiana is now) and not a 4/3 (like Minnesota) ideally. The thing Minnesota does have going for them that does make a difference with Stringer is that he does acknowledge that Minnesota is a better team and he loves Coach Kill. He tells me that it's neck and neck between the two schools, so we'll see what happens.
7) Copperas Cove inside linebacker Jaylen Waters
Coach Sherels set up an unofficial visit for Waters and his mother to come up for the BBQ in July last week and the tickets have already been purchased, so it's a done deal he'll be up here. Minnesota loved his Nike combine numbers as he ran a electronic 4.70 40, 4.40 shuttle and had a 33" vertical and that combined with his Mike linebacker mentality and aggressiveness make him a great prospect. Minnesota is in the lead for Waters and he's a guy that the staff would take if he wanted to commit. I'd say there's a shot of that happening next month.
Other guys who I wouldn't be shocked to see on official visits this fall are Roswell (Ga.) Centennial outside linebacker Marquise Copeland.
Who does Minnesota get? Julian Huff, Jaylen Waters and McKinley Whitfield (Minnesota would make room no matter what for Saint-Amour, McKee, Wallace and Wilson).
Cornerbacks: Three-four projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Spring (Texas) cornerback Willie Sykes
Sykes definitely tops my list and I'm pretty sure Sawvel's list for cornerbacks. He's extremely fast as he runs a legit 4.4 with a great shuttle time and put that together with his impressive length and I've heard that the staff thinks that he could be the next Eric Murray. Sykes has made it no secret that Minnesota is his top school as he has a great relationship with Coach Sawvel and has talked with current players and all of Minnesota's defensive coaches. Sykes is working on getting up to Minnesota sometime this summer, but money is tight. If he can't make it up there, Sykes tells me there's a very good chance that he'll take his official visit for the San Jose State game in September. From what I'm hearing, I'd be shocked if Sykes doesn't commit to Minnesota by the time the season starts. It's not a matter if for Sykes, it's a matter of when.
Other top options:
2) Geismar (La.) Dutchtown cornerback Alonzo Craighton
Craighton is another guy that Sawvel really wants as he has a great combination of length and speed. Craighton recently ran a 4.5 forty at LSU's camp this past month and you have to remember that he's also 6'1" and 180 lbs. Most schools view Craighton as a safety, but Minnesota really likes what he could bring as a corner. Minnesota is currently his top school and he's working on setting a potential official visit date for the September 20th game against San Jose State. The staff is really hoping that they can lock down Craighton early on.
3) Oak Park (Mich.) athlete John Kelly
You'll notice that I've moved Kelly to defense now and that's what I'm hearing that he'd prefer to play in college now. Minnesota would take Kelly as either a running back or cornerback, so it makes no difference to them. It's going to be a battle between Minnesota and Michigan State to land his services and I'm hearing that Minnesota leads slightly as of today. Michigan State tried to put the press on him recently to commit and Kelly didn't like that very much and he'll be attending the BBQ in July as well. I don't expect Kelly to commit soon, but each time he comes back to campus only helps more and more. Put that together with his long-time friend and safety Ray Buford in serious consideration for an offer, things look good.
4) Webb City (Mo.) cornerback KiAnte Hardin
Coach Claeys saw Hardin live back in May and that's when the decision to offer him was made. The Gophers will take one smaller corner in this class and if you're going to take a small one, you want them to be like Hardin. He's ran 4.4 forties at camps recently with great shuttle and verticals, so he's a very good athlete. Put that together with all the connections that Coach Kill has in Webb City and the fact that Hardin and his cousin are coming to visit Minnesota for the BBQ in July, things are trending up for Minnesota's chances. Hardin is eyeing a decision date of late September.
5) Roselle (Ill.) Lake Park cornerback Antonio Shenault
Coach Phelps went and saw Shenault work out this past spring and came back impressed. That coupled with Shenault's impressive Nike combine times make Shenault a top target. Shenault has told GI that he's working on setting up a visit for he and his mother to come up to the Twin Cities next month to visit and that still holds true today. Sources have told me that Shenault is a definite take for the staff. Minnesota and Iowa State are his top schools.
6) Tampa (Fla.) Plant cornerback Derrick Baity
Coach Claeys went and saw Baity live this spring and then Coach Sawvel called and extended the offer. Baity does have offers from Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and UCF among others, but sources have told me he does have interest in taking an official visit to Minnesota this fall. Baity is taking things slow with the process and he does plan on taking his official visits this fall before coming to any kind of a decision.
7) Cincinnati (Ohio) Colerain Jeff Christian
Christian does have a Minnesota offer, but he's not as high on the board as some of Minnesota's other corners, which is why I have him where I do. Christian is going to try and visit Minnesota is July, but I don't think he'd have a committable offer as like I said, Minnesota is sitting good with guys higher on the board. If that were to change, I'd think that Christian will be a guy they'll go after hard.
Who does Minnesota get? Willie Sykes, John Kelly, KiAnte Hardin and (if they take a 4th CB) Alonzo Craighton or Antonio Shenault
Safety: Two/three projected (One committed in Jacob Huff)
The latest I'm hearing is that Minnesota will get six defensive backs in this class and it'll either be four corners and two safeties or three corner and three safeties, so the point here is expect a lot of defensive backs. With Huff already committed at safety, I expect there will be quite the competition for last spot(s).
Top Target: Geismar (La.) Dutchtown safety Justin Reid
Coach Sawvel is going to do everything in his legal power to try and land Justin Reid. Plain and Simple. Reid's combination of rich NFL bloodlines and an electronic 4.6 forty at 6'2" 190 lbs are enough for me to put Reid here. Academics are something that Reid holds in high regard and he has high enough interest in Minnesota to where I think he'll take an official visit this fall. Reid is going to be a tough pull, but Minnesota has as good of a shot as any team right now. The Gophers would be ecstatic to land Reid.
Other top options:
2) Council Bluffs (Iowa) Iowa Western community college safety Charlie Rogers
Rogers could be considered the other top target at safety as Minnesota is looking to add a JUCO DB in this class. Sources have told me that the Gophers feel like they're sitting very well for Rogers and believe they'll get him on an official visit in August. I've also heard that Rogers' mother has gotten on Charlie to where she believes he should have gone to Minnesota the first time. I think that the Gophers biggest competitor will be Illinois, but Rogers feels very comfortable with the Minnesota's staff and Brock being drafted really helps Minnesota here.
3) Destrehan (La.) safety Brandon Scott
Scott is another high very high on Minnesota's board and along with Reid, he's a guy that Minnesota will take no matter what. With Scott, I've heard from a source close to things that Minnesota is in his top five with Arizona State, UCF, Texas Tech and Iowa State. All schools that I believe the Gophers can beat. Scott is looking at scheduling a visit to Minnesota this summer still and is looking to make a decision before the season. If Scott gets on campus, I love the Gophers chances there. He has to visit for that to happen though.
4) Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point safety Jameel Cook
Cook recently committed to Maryland and is currently visiting there now, but sources tell me that Cook is still very much open to visiting Minnesota this fall. Cook recently spoke with both Coach Kill and Sawvel and especially if Maryland doesn't do well in their first year in the Big Ten, Cook is suspect-able to flipping. If Minnesota does go three safeties, I think you'll see Cook visit this fall.
5) Southfield (Mich.) safety Ray Buford
Buford is a guy that's popped up on Minnesota's radar starting at the Sound Body Sound Mind Camp out in Michigan a few weeks back. Buford did well there and he's recently done well at Michigan State's and Ohio State's camps respectively. The reason Minnesota is heistant about offering is Buford tore his ACL during the second game of the season last year, so there isn't a lot of film on him. I'm hearing that it's a matter of "when" not "if" Minnesota offers as the Gophers just want to see him live one more time first before pulling the trigger. Buford is very close with John Kelly and Kelly is working on getting Buford out here in July for the BBQ. If that happens and Buford were to camp, I think an offer comes.
Who does Minnesota get? Jacob Huff, Charlie Rogers and (if they take a 3rd safety) and Ray Buford
Any questions or comments, please leave them below.
This post was edited on 6/30 12:38 PM by Ryan Burns
