Since there was some feedback on members wanting to project a class as of late June, I'll do my best. Just remember that most of this is extremely subject to change, but here's my best shot as of today.
Quarterback: One projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Rockford (Ill.) Boylan dual-threat quarterback Demry Croft
Croft camped at Minnesota on Sunday and had by all accounts a great day at camp and that's the reason why received an offer on Monday. Gopher coach Brian Anderson has a lot of connections in Rockford, which is the reason he's the main coach recruiting Croft and it certainly doesn't hurt that Croft's cousin, Donovahn Jones had Anderson as his main recruiting contact and is now his position coach. Croft has told GI that he's really thinking over the offer and committing has crossed his mind, but he may wait until the BBQ in July as his mom hasn't seen campus yet and that's a big deal for he and his family. I think it's a matter of when Croft commits and I wouldn't be surprised if it happens tomorrow or on the BBQ. I believe that Minnesota will have their QB for 2015 in Croft.
Other options:
Palm Beach Gardens quarterback Daniel Parr is the only other quarterback with an offer that's expressed interested and if things with Croft don't work out, I'd fully expect Parr to be on an official visit in September or October. GI doesn't anticipate that happening, but it is a slim possibility.
Who does Minnesota get? Demry Croft
Running Back: Two projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Canadian RB Jonathan Femi-Cole
Femi-Cole visited Minnesota for the spring game after the Gophers were his first offer back in February and they've been on top ever since. Femi-Cole recently got back from a 10 day long trip across the south eastern US where he camped at numerous places like Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and West Virginia where all the coaching staffs said they really liked him and would get back to him about an offer soon. Femi-Cole and his family will be back on campus on July 18th for the Recruiting BBQ that weekend and his mother will take in Minnesota for the first time. From what I'm hearing, there's a good chance that Femi-Cole commits at the BBQ if no other offers come from his camp tour. He's very comfortable with Minnesota and would be a great fit in this offense.
Other top options:
2) Pittsburg (Kan.) athlete Alex Barnes
Barnes is a very interesting recruit in the respect that I don't think the staff knows where to put him. He's a phenomenal athlete at 6'0" 215 lbs and he runs a legit 4.4 with a 37" vertical. I think he's too big to play safety once he gets in a college weight training program so that means he's either a running back or outside linebacker. Barnes' preferred position in college is running back and it sounds like Minnesota is fine with that because if that weren't to work out, they could move him elsewhere. Barnes talked with Coach Anderson last night and Minnesota made it clear to Barnes that they really want him and Barnes tells GI that he's planning on visiting in July.
3) Jasper (Ga.) Pickens running back Shannon Brooks
Brooks has been on the radar since Minnesota offered a little over a month ago and Minnesota has been his top school ever since. The Georgia running back is working on a visit to Minnesota next month before the season, but money is tight in his home so more than likely the visit will have to wait until he can come up on an official. Brooks and Coach Anderson touched base via the phone last night and Minnesota is working on setting a date for Brooks to come on an official visit. I wonder if that visit will happen if Barnes and Femi-Cole commit before the summer, but a lot of things can happen between now and then.
4) Robinson (Texas) athlete Le'Vonte Owens
Minnesota offered Owens just over two weeks ago now and there's a lot of intrigue with the offer. Sources have told me that the Gophers could take Owens as a running back as they love how he plays with low pad level and can really bring the pop. That being said, Minnesota also sees Owens as a potential OLB or even a WR. Bottom line is the Gopher staff wants to get him on board to figure that out. There's a very good chance that Minnesota gets an official visit, but it will be tough during the season as Owens' bye week is the same week as Minnesota's, so it'll probably be in late November or December.
5) Norwalk (Ohio) running back Breck Turner
The reason I have Turner all the way at 5 is I don't believe that Turner wants to leave home and come all the way out to Minnesota. From talking with Turner and other people in knowledge of the situation, I get the feel that location is very much an issue for Turner and that he'll stay within a six hour window from his hometown. If that changes, I think Minnesota has a good shot. Until it does though, Turner will be down here on the list.
Next offer?
From what I've heard, two running backs in line to receive offers next are Alabama's Junior Highlights).
Who does Minnesota get? Jonathan Femi-Cole and Alex Barnes.
Wide Receiver: Two/three projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett wide receiver Almonzo Brown
Coach Sherels has been the main recruiter for Brown and as GI reported last week, they've set an official visit for the Gophers homecoming game against Purdue. Brown has offers from Florida, Missouri, Iowa and Kentucky among others, so the Gophers will be in quite the battle to land Brown's services. It's widely been know that Brown and his linebacker teammate Anree Saint-Amour want to play together in college and both have Minnesota offers, so we'll see if Saint-Amour comes on an official visit that same weekend. Brown's taken a lot of unofficial visits to different schools so far this spring and summer, but Minnesota is definitely among his top schools.
Other top options:
2) Lafayette (La.) Comeaux wide receiver Hunter Register
Coach Sawvel has been the main recruiter for Register and he's done a great job thus far. Register is a guy sliding under the radar right now, but his combine numbers are off the charts. At 6'4" 192 lbs, Register ran an electronic 4.6 forty in April and ran a hand-timed 4.4 by the LSU staff at their camp with a 32" vertical. Register has made it known that Minnesota is his top school and the Gophers would love to lock down Register as soon as they can.
3) Norcross (Ga.) wide receiver Jared Pinkney
Pinkney is another guy that's under the radar this summer for most colleges, but Coach Sherels has been on him early. Sources have told me that Pinkney's official visit to Minnesota will more than likely be for the Purdue game as he has a bye that week and his family can join him. Pinkney is a huge body kid at 6'4" 220 lbs and from the people I trust who've seen him live, he runs much better than people think, blocks extremely well and has huge hands with an Adrian Peterson type grip. Pinkney will not attend any camps this summer, which will definitely help Minnesota's chances and they are the team to beat for Pinkney right now.
4) Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Stranahan wide receiver Marvin Robinson
Coach Reeves offered Robinson about two weeks ago now and Robinson has indicated to GI that he has legit interest and taking an official visit to Minnesota sometime this fall is a real possibility. Sources have told me that the Florida State offer listed isn't committable, so the Gophers main competition right now is Indiana. Robinson is another lengthy receiver with good speed and Minnesota will work hard to get him on campus this fall.
5) Garland (Texas) South wide receiver Jerminic Smith
Coach Poore offered Smith about three weeks ago now and Smith told our Texas Tech Rivals site that Minnesota was among his top four schools showing interest along with Iowa, Texas Tech and TCU and that he's planning on taking an unofficial visit to the Twin Cities this summer. Smith has been very quiet with the media, but my sources tell me that Minnesota will really like Smith and will work hard to get him on campus this fall.
6) Covington (Ga.) Newton wide receiver Davonta Jones
Coach Anderson has been the one recruiting Jones and Jones may be the most interested player in Minnesota on this list. Jones is originally from Chicago area, so coming up to a climate like the Twin Cities wouldn't be too much of a climate change. Jones has told me that he's seriously thinking about committing to Minnesota, but the problem is for him that the Gophers have guys higher on the list than Jones that they feel good about their chances with. I don't believe you'll see Minnesota bring him on an official visit until other top targets have made a decision.
Who does Minnesota get? Hunter Register, Jared Pinkney and another target that hasn't surfaced yet.
Tight end/H-back: One projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Boca Raton (Fla.) St. Andrews School tight end Jake Bargas
Bargas recently committed to Wake Forest, but sources have told me that he's indicated to the Gopher staff that the commitment is not 100% solid as Wake Forest pressured him into a commitment and he's still thinking about visiting Minnesota this fall. I've heard that the Minnesota staff really believes that Bargas is a lot like current tight end Maxx Williams and are going all out to get him on campus this fall. Academics are huge for Bargas, so Minnesota will have a chance here. How much of a chance will remain to be seen until this fall.
Other top options:
2) Kansas City (Kan.) Piper fullback Colton Beebe
Coach Kill extended an offer to Beebe on Saturday after he put on a show at the Gophers camp that day dominating the board drill versus numerous lineman who were bigger and heavier and showing good athleticism in the testing portion and soft hands when running routes. The thing is I believe that Beebe is waiting for a bigger offer, but I'm not completely sure what school that is. Is it a Kansas or Kansas State that are close to home? Is it an Arkansas or Iowa who want him as a DE? Or is it a Stanford whose academics are top notch? Time will tell. What Minnesota does have going for it is Beebe's father played for Coach Kill at Pittsburg State and Beebe does have a connection with freshman Dimonic McKinzy. I wouldn't be surprised to see Beebe go into the season and send out his first few games to schools to see what they think. I don't believe a decision will come soon.
3) Anniston (Ala.) Donoho athlete Junior Highlights)
One source told me recently that Foster tops the list of tight end recruits that haven't been offered and that it's a matter of time before the Gophers extend an offer. The thing with Foster is that he plays small school football in Alabama and the Gophers don't know what position Foster would play. He could be a rush defensive end or an athletic
tight end. He runs well enough to qualify at either position. If Beebe goes elsewhere, I'd think Foster gets an offer soon after and I think that Foster will definitely take an official visit this fall.
4) Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame tight end Junior Highlights)
Coach Sawvel saw Haigler live this spring and he's very high on Minnesota's list right now. Haigler would be a prototypical Big Ten tight end as Haigler would be 6'7" 270 lbs easy after his redshirt year as he's a three-sport star at his high school and allowing him to focus on one sport would result in good weight gain and his frame can more than handle it. Haigler has seen offers come from Iowa State and Colorado of late, but I think he'll blow up this fall. He's another guy that I believe an offer will come to at some point.
Who does Minnesota get? Colton Beebe
Offensive line: Four/five projected (Three committed in Chaska (Minn.) offensive lineman Ted Stieber)
Minnesota does have three commitments already and I'd be shocked if the last spot wasn't filled before the season started. Limegrover has his project tackle in Nick Connelly who has athleticism through the roof, but it very raw. Stieber is a guy that I've heard Minnesota thinks will be an interior type guy as he pulls very well and is the spot the staff feels he can make the greatest impact. Dovich's projected position is still up in the air, but I think tackle is more likely than guard. I don't see any of these three recruits decommitting.
Top Target: Minneapolis (Minn.) De La Salle lineman Drayton Carlberg
No surprise here. Carlberg tops the list because of location here a mile away from campus. As I stated in the Recruiting Mailbag earlier, this will not be a Frank Ragnow type deal like last year. Carlberg has been over to campus for multiple basketball games with the staff, different junior day events, a few practices and to just come over to the facility to talk with the staff. Carlberg has seen everything that Minnesota has to offer and the staff knows that. Ideally from what I'm hearing, the Gophers will want a decision before the start of the season because they want to know where they stand and if they need to just move on. Even if Minnesota has four OL commits by the time Carlberg makes a decision, he's a kid they'll make room for. A.J. Jacobson from Oregon's site has informed me that he believes that Oregon is now full on the OL with five commits, which bodes well for Minnesota's chances. In my eyes, it's between Michigan State and Minnesota now with the Gophers ahead. If Carlberg doesn't have a decision by the end of September though, I'm done believing that Carlberg picks Minnesota.
Other top options:
2) Sioux Falls (S.D.) Roosevelt offensive tackle Grant Schmidt
I'm not sold that it's over. I know that Minnesota will continue to recruit Schmidt and I'm not sure that Urban might not pull his scholarship potentially if they feel that another OL is better closer to home. It's a slim chance that it happens, but there is something.
3) Springfield (Ill.) Sacred Heart Griffin offensive tackle Quinn Oseland
Oseland has offers from Oregon, Michigan State, California, Illinois and Indiana among others and he told me last night that he's working on setting an unofficial visit to Minnesota for July as Coach Limegrover has been working him hard. Oseland will have his options to choose from, but Minnesota is in his top group. If and when Oseland does make it on campus, the Gophers chances only go up. I think Illinois is the team to beat right now.
4) Daphne (Ala.) offensive lineman Chris White
Coach Sawvel has been on this sleeper offensive lineman after seeing him live this spring. Remember that White missed his entire junior season with an elbow injury and that he's also a December graduate. Both things work in Minnesota's favor as if and when White plays a full season, I believe he'll blow up. White is fully aware that Minnesota only has one spot open on the OL and is working to schedule an unofficial visit very soon for July.
5) Shawnee Mission (Kan.) Mill Valley offensive lineman Evan Applegate
Coach Limegrover offered Applegate back in the spring and he recently listed Minnesota in his top five with Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Kansas State and Nebraska, all whom have offered. Applegate told me last night that he's working with Limegrover to schedule a visit after the dead period in July and that it will happen. It's still competition, but as we've seen. Once recruits actually get on campus, Minnesota has a great chance.
6) La Grange Park (Ill.) Nazereth Academy offensive lineman Jack Shutack
Coach Limegrover offered a couple weeks ago and has great connections to the school's head coach and Shutack could be the guy to take the last spot. Shutack told me last night that he's working with Limegrover to set up an unofficial visit after the dead period in July and that he's looking to make a decision before the season. As listed with any of the guys on this list, he's a take as long as there's a spot left.
7) Etowah (Ga.) Woodstock offensive lineman Brad Morgan
Coach Anderson offered Brad and his twin brother Scott in May and Minnesota has been in their top group ever since. The idea of playing together is very enticing for the two, but not a necessity from what I'm hearing. Brad told me last night money is tight right now, but the Morgan twins are working on coming up to Minnesota in July with their parents, but an official visit is the most likely option. It'll be interesting to see if and when Minnesota does get their fourth OL commit, if both Morgan brothers come up on an official.
8) Prattville (Ala.) offensive lineman Kenny Thomas
Coach Sawvel offered Thomas three weeks ago and Thomas does have legit interest in Minnesota. Sources have told me that the Gophers may try to some pressure on Thomas to come up in July as they really want Thomas. It sounds like it's a real possibility that he schedules that visit, but time will tell.
9) Galena Park (Texas) North Shore offensive lineman Tyler Moore
The only reason I'm even bothering to list Moore is that he still wants to visit Minnesota in July, despite receiving an offer from Texas a few weeks back. I don't expect him to be a Gopher at all, but if he wants to visit, I'm going to list him.
Lastly, I expect a JUCO OL to visit this fall as I've heard Minnesota wants to try and balance things out in the OL classes. I don't know who yet, but look for that to happen this fall to potentially be the 5th OL in the class.
Who does Minnesota get? Nick Connelly, Bronson Dovich, Ted Stieber, Jack Shutack or Chris White plus a JUCO OL.
I'll have a defensive version of this soon. Any questions or comments for me, leave them below.
This post was edited on 6/30 8:25 PM by Ryan Burns
This post was edited on 7/24 11:20 PM by Ryan Burns
Quarterback: One projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Rockford (Ill.) Boylan dual-threat quarterback Demry Croft
Croft camped at Minnesota on Sunday and had by all accounts a great day at camp and that's the reason why received an offer on Monday. Gopher coach Brian Anderson has a lot of connections in Rockford, which is the reason he's the main coach recruiting Croft and it certainly doesn't hurt that Croft's cousin, Donovahn Jones had Anderson as his main recruiting contact and is now his position coach. Croft has told GI that he's really thinking over the offer and committing has crossed his mind, but he may wait until the BBQ in July as his mom hasn't seen campus yet and that's a big deal for he and his family. I think it's a matter of when Croft commits and I wouldn't be surprised if it happens tomorrow or on the BBQ. I believe that Minnesota will have their QB for 2015 in Croft.
Other options:
Palm Beach Gardens quarterback Daniel Parr is the only other quarterback with an offer that's expressed interested and if things with Croft don't work out, I'd fully expect Parr to be on an official visit in September or October. GI doesn't anticipate that happening, but it is a slim possibility.
Who does Minnesota get? Demry Croft
Running Back: Two projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Canadian RB Jonathan Femi-Cole
Femi-Cole visited Minnesota for the spring game after the Gophers were his first offer back in February and they've been on top ever since. Femi-Cole recently got back from a 10 day long trip across the south eastern US where he camped at numerous places like Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and West Virginia where all the coaching staffs said they really liked him and would get back to him about an offer soon. Femi-Cole and his family will be back on campus on July 18th for the Recruiting BBQ that weekend and his mother will take in Minnesota for the first time. From what I'm hearing, there's a good chance that Femi-Cole commits at the BBQ if no other offers come from his camp tour. He's very comfortable with Minnesota and would be a great fit in this offense.
Other top options:
2) Pittsburg (Kan.) athlete Alex Barnes
Barnes is a very interesting recruit in the respect that I don't think the staff knows where to put him. He's a phenomenal athlete at 6'0" 215 lbs and he runs a legit 4.4 with a 37" vertical. I think he's too big to play safety once he gets in a college weight training program so that means he's either a running back or outside linebacker. Barnes' preferred position in college is running back and it sounds like Minnesota is fine with that because if that weren't to work out, they could move him elsewhere. Barnes talked with Coach Anderson last night and Minnesota made it clear to Barnes that they really want him and Barnes tells GI that he's planning on visiting in July.
3) Jasper (Ga.) Pickens running back Shannon Brooks
Brooks has been on the radar since Minnesota offered a little over a month ago and Minnesota has been his top school ever since. The Georgia running back is working on a visit to Minnesota next month before the season, but money is tight in his home so more than likely the visit will have to wait until he can come up on an official. Brooks and Coach Anderson touched base via the phone last night and Minnesota is working on setting a date for Brooks to come on an official visit. I wonder if that visit will happen if Barnes and Femi-Cole commit before the summer, but a lot of things can happen between now and then.
4) Robinson (Texas) athlete Le'Vonte Owens
Minnesota offered Owens just over two weeks ago now and there's a lot of intrigue with the offer. Sources have told me that the Gophers could take Owens as a running back as they love how he plays with low pad level and can really bring the pop. That being said, Minnesota also sees Owens as a potential OLB or even a WR. Bottom line is the Gopher staff wants to get him on board to figure that out. There's a very good chance that Minnesota gets an official visit, but it will be tough during the season as Owens' bye week is the same week as Minnesota's, so it'll probably be in late November or December.
5) Norwalk (Ohio) running back Breck Turner
The reason I have Turner all the way at 5 is I don't believe that Turner wants to leave home and come all the way out to Minnesota. From talking with Turner and other people in knowledge of the situation, I get the feel that location is very much an issue for Turner and that he'll stay within a six hour window from his hometown. If that changes, I think Minnesota has a good shot. Until it does though, Turner will be down here on the list.
Next offer?
From what I've heard, two running backs in line to receive offers next are Alabama's Junior Highlights).
Who does Minnesota get? Jonathan Femi-Cole and Alex Barnes.
Wide Receiver: Two/three projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett wide receiver Almonzo Brown
Coach Sherels has been the main recruiter for Brown and as GI reported last week, they've set an official visit for the Gophers homecoming game against Purdue. Brown has offers from Florida, Missouri, Iowa and Kentucky among others, so the Gophers will be in quite the battle to land Brown's services. It's widely been know that Brown and his linebacker teammate Anree Saint-Amour want to play together in college and both have Minnesota offers, so we'll see if Saint-Amour comes on an official visit that same weekend. Brown's taken a lot of unofficial visits to different schools so far this spring and summer, but Minnesota is definitely among his top schools.
Other top options:
2) Lafayette (La.) Comeaux wide receiver Hunter Register
Coach Sawvel has been the main recruiter for Register and he's done a great job thus far. Register is a guy sliding under the radar right now, but his combine numbers are off the charts. At 6'4" 192 lbs, Register ran an electronic 4.6 forty in April and ran a hand-timed 4.4 by the LSU staff at their camp with a 32" vertical. Register has made it known that Minnesota is his top school and the Gophers would love to lock down Register as soon as they can.
3) Norcross (Ga.) wide receiver Jared Pinkney
Pinkney is another guy that's under the radar this summer for most colleges, but Coach Sherels has been on him early. Sources have told me that Pinkney's official visit to Minnesota will more than likely be for the Purdue game as he has a bye that week and his family can join him. Pinkney is a huge body kid at 6'4" 220 lbs and from the people I trust who've seen him live, he runs much better than people think, blocks extremely well and has huge hands with an Adrian Peterson type grip. Pinkney will not attend any camps this summer, which will definitely help Minnesota's chances and they are the team to beat for Pinkney right now.
4) Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Stranahan wide receiver Marvin Robinson
Coach Reeves offered Robinson about two weeks ago now and Robinson has indicated to GI that he has legit interest and taking an official visit to Minnesota sometime this fall is a real possibility. Sources have told me that the Florida State offer listed isn't committable, so the Gophers main competition right now is Indiana. Robinson is another lengthy receiver with good speed and Minnesota will work hard to get him on campus this fall.
5) Garland (Texas) South wide receiver Jerminic Smith
Coach Poore offered Smith about three weeks ago now and Smith told our Texas Tech Rivals site that Minnesota was among his top four schools showing interest along with Iowa, Texas Tech and TCU and that he's planning on taking an unofficial visit to the Twin Cities this summer. Smith has been very quiet with the media, but my sources tell me that Minnesota will really like Smith and will work hard to get him on campus this fall.
6) Covington (Ga.) Newton wide receiver Davonta Jones
Coach Anderson has been the one recruiting Jones and Jones may be the most interested player in Minnesota on this list. Jones is originally from Chicago area, so coming up to a climate like the Twin Cities wouldn't be too much of a climate change. Jones has told me that he's seriously thinking about committing to Minnesota, but the problem is for him that the Gophers have guys higher on the list than Jones that they feel good about their chances with. I don't believe you'll see Minnesota bring him on an official visit until other top targets have made a decision.
Who does Minnesota get? Hunter Register, Jared Pinkney and another target that hasn't surfaced yet.
Tight end/H-back: One projected (Zero committed)
Top Target: Boca Raton (Fla.) St. Andrews School tight end Jake Bargas
Bargas recently committed to Wake Forest, but sources have told me that he's indicated to the Gopher staff that the commitment is not 100% solid as Wake Forest pressured him into a commitment and he's still thinking about visiting Minnesota this fall. I've heard that the Minnesota staff really believes that Bargas is a lot like current tight end Maxx Williams and are going all out to get him on campus this fall. Academics are huge for Bargas, so Minnesota will have a chance here. How much of a chance will remain to be seen until this fall.
Other top options:
2) Kansas City (Kan.) Piper fullback Colton Beebe
Coach Kill extended an offer to Beebe on Saturday after he put on a show at the Gophers camp that day dominating the board drill versus numerous lineman who were bigger and heavier and showing good athleticism in the testing portion and soft hands when running routes. The thing is I believe that Beebe is waiting for a bigger offer, but I'm not completely sure what school that is. Is it a Kansas or Kansas State that are close to home? Is it an Arkansas or Iowa who want him as a DE? Or is it a Stanford whose academics are top notch? Time will tell. What Minnesota does have going for it is Beebe's father played for Coach Kill at Pittsburg State and Beebe does have a connection with freshman Dimonic McKinzy. I wouldn't be surprised to see Beebe go into the season and send out his first few games to schools to see what they think. I don't believe a decision will come soon.
3) Anniston (Ala.) Donoho athlete Junior Highlights)
One source told me recently that Foster tops the list of tight end recruits that haven't been offered and that it's a matter of time before the Gophers extend an offer. The thing with Foster is that he plays small school football in Alabama and the Gophers don't know what position Foster would play. He could be a rush defensive end or an athletic
tight end. He runs well enough to qualify at either position. If Beebe goes elsewhere, I'd think Foster gets an offer soon after and I think that Foster will definitely take an official visit this fall.
4) Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame tight end Junior Highlights)
Coach Sawvel saw Haigler live this spring and he's very high on Minnesota's list right now. Haigler would be a prototypical Big Ten tight end as Haigler would be 6'7" 270 lbs easy after his redshirt year as he's a three-sport star at his high school and allowing him to focus on one sport would result in good weight gain and his frame can more than handle it. Haigler has seen offers come from Iowa State and Colorado of late, but I think he'll blow up this fall. He's another guy that I believe an offer will come to at some point.
Who does Minnesota get? Colton Beebe
Offensive line: Four/five projected (Three committed in Chaska (Minn.) offensive lineman Ted Stieber)
Minnesota does have three commitments already and I'd be shocked if the last spot wasn't filled before the season started. Limegrover has his project tackle in Nick Connelly who has athleticism through the roof, but it very raw. Stieber is a guy that I've heard Minnesota thinks will be an interior type guy as he pulls very well and is the spot the staff feels he can make the greatest impact. Dovich's projected position is still up in the air, but I think tackle is more likely than guard. I don't see any of these three recruits decommitting.
Top Target: Minneapolis (Minn.) De La Salle lineman Drayton Carlberg
No surprise here. Carlberg tops the list because of location here a mile away from campus. As I stated in the Recruiting Mailbag earlier, this will not be a Frank Ragnow type deal like last year. Carlberg has been over to campus for multiple basketball games with the staff, different junior day events, a few practices and to just come over to the facility to talk with the staff. Carlberg has seen everything that Minnesota has to offer and the staff knows that. Ideally from what I'm hearing, the Gophers will want a decision before the start of the season because they want to know where they stand and if they need to just move on. Even if Minnesota has four OL commits by the time Carlberg makes a decision, he's a kid they'll make room for. A.J. Jacobson from Oregon's site has informed me that he believes that Oregon is now full on the OL with five commits, which bodes well for Minnesota's chances. In my eyes, it's between Michigan State and Minnesota now with the Gophers ahead. If Carlberg doesn't have a decision by the end of September though, I'm done believing that Carlberg picks Minnesota.
Other top options:
2) Sioux Falls (S.D.) Roosevelt offensive tackle Grant Schmidt
I'm not sold that it's over. I know that Minnesota will continue to recruit Schmidt and I'm not sure that Urban might not pull his scholarship potentially if they feel that another OL is better closer to home. It's a slim chance that it happens, but there is something.
3) Springfield (Ill.) Sacred Heart Griffin offensive tackle Quinn Oseland
Oseland has offers from Oregon, Michigan State, California, Illinois and Indiana among others and he told me last night that he's working on setting an unofficial visit to Minnesota for July as Coach Limegrover has been working him hard. Oseland will have his options to choose from, but Minnesota is in his top group. If and when Oseland does make it on campus, the Gophers chances only go up. I think Illinois is the team to beat right now.
4) Daphne (Ala.) offensive lineman Chris White
Coach Sawvel has been on this sleeper offensive lineman after seeing him live this spring. Remember that White missed his entire junior season with an elbow injury and that he's also a December graduate. Both things work in Minnesota's favor as if and when White plays a full season, I believe he'll blow up. White is fully aware that Minnesota only has one spot open on the OL and is working to schedule an unofficial visit very soon for July.
5) Shawnee Mission (Kan.) Mill Valley offensive lineman Evan Applegate
Coach Limegrover offered Applegate back in the spring and he recently listed Minnesota in his top five with Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Kansas State and Nebraska, all whom have offered. Applegate told me last night that he's working with Limegrover to schedule a visit after the dead period in July and that it will happen. It's still competition, but as we've seen. Once recruits actually get on campus, Minnesota has a great chance.
6) La Grange Park (Ill.) Nazereth Academy offensive lineman Jack Shutack
Coach Limegrover offered a couple weeks ago and has great connections to the school's head coach and Shutack could be the guy to take the last spot. Shutack told me last night that he's working with Limegrover to set up an unofficial visit after the dead period in July and that he's looking to make a decision before the season. As listed with any of the guys on this list, he's a take as long as there's a spot left.
7) Etowah (Ga.) Woodstock offensive lineman Brad Morgan
Coach Anderson offered Brad and his twin brother Scott in May and Minnesota has been in their top group ever since. The idea of playing together is very enticing for the two, but not a necessity from what I'm hearing. Brad told me last night money is tight right now, but the Morgan twins are working on coming up to Minnesota in July with their parents, but an official visit is the most likely option. It'll be interesting to see if and when Minnesota does get their fourth OL commit, if both Morgan brothers come up on an official.
8) Prattville (Ala.) offensive lineman Kenny Thomas
Coach Sawvel offered Thomas three weeks ago and Thomas does have legit interest in Minnesota. Sources have told me that the Gophers may try to some pressure on Thomas to come up in July as they really want Thomas. It sounds like it's a real possibility that he schedules that visit, but time will tell.
9) Galena Park (Texas) North Shore offensive lineman Tyler Moore
The only reason I'm even bothering to list Moore is that he still wants to visit Minnesota in July, despite receiving an offer from Texas a few weeks back. I don't expect him to be a Gopher at all, but if he wants to visit, I'm going to list him.
Lastly, I expect a JUCO OL to visit this fall as I've heard Minnesota wants to try and balance things out in the OL classes. I don't know who yet, but look for that to happen this fall to potentially be the 5th OL in the class.
Who does Minnesota get? Nick Connelly, Bronson Dovich, Ted Stieber, Jack Shutack or Chris White plus a JUCO OL.
I'll have a defensive version of this soon. Any questions or comments for me, leave them below.
This post was edited on 6/30 8:25 PM by Ryan Burns
This post was edited on 7/24 11:20 PM by Ryan Burns
