There was a big difference from last year’s spring game to this one; the team had more depth especially up-front on the offensive line, which allowed them to field a couple different teams. The coaches wanted to put quarterbacks in game-like situations, which they felt they did.
Sid asked about PJ taking over a tough job when he decided to coach the Gophers, to which he responded that understood what he was getting himself into. He accepts the fact that the team need to take a few steps backward in order to take a large jump forward.
Fleck felt it was extremely important to let the quarterbacks go live in the scrimmage and be able to be hit since they have not thrown a collegiate pass, so the team needed to get them experience in understanding how that felt. There were a few different fumbles on snaps and sacks which is a good learning experience to take care of the football.
Mo Ibrahim had a great spring game and PJ said, “People need to start knowing his name.” Called him one of the toughest people he’s been around. He was the scout team offensive player of the year last year and was the scout team running back all season: “Scout team running back is not a very glorious position; you’re constantly being hit since you’re preparing the defense for the game. He didn’t miss one rep and continues to be durable. He’s not very big but he’s quick and powerful for being a small guy. I’m glad he’s on our football team and is only a redshirt freshman.”
Coach indicated that he thought Tyler Johnson had a very strong spring. Said that there won’t be a huge jump of development going forward but make a lot of small jumps: discipline, creating separation downfield, at the line of scrimmage, break points, etc.
The next two months there won’t be any live football, so the quarterbacks will have to find a way to get game-like situations to be in. In 7v7, there aren’t pass rushes or throwing lanes, so the coaches/players will use broomsticks to help simulate a pass rush and develop good habits.
Sid questioned if Vic Viramontes has been a disappointment. PJ responded that no he hasn’t been a disappointment, he’s only been here a few months and has a brand-new system to learn from. He did comment however that the ball security was a disappointing from him.
Thomas Barber, Antoine Winfield, Blake Cashman, and Curtis Dunlap were all held out of the spring game due to injuries. Coach indicated they would all be back for offseason/summer workouts and that none of the injuries going forward are serious.
Phillip Howard caught five passes during the spring game and while coach said he has a lot of work to do, he likes his speed and development as a slot receiver.
Mike Max questioned Fleck’s recruiting schedule now that the new signing day has been moved forward. Coach responded that it’s harder to sign guys early due to the early visit period so that recruits can visit different schools earlier than before. “A lot of guys are waiting to take their official visits now before they commit. Guys before would commit before official visits, so I think commitments will flood in at a later period. We’ve never been through this so it’s very exciting.”
Chris Autman-Bell is a name that is continuing to be thrown around as a guy to look for this upcoming season. “Chris is a guy that we really like. 77% of our team is underclassmen, we’re bringing in guys that we like. Fans are going to see young guys like Chris who will be here for a long time that they’ll become familiar with. He has great ball skills, he’s learning how become a complete receiver and take hits at the collegiate level which is different than high school. I’m very proud of him. Matt Simon does a great job.”
Defensively the team will rely on Thomas Barber, Kamal Martin, etc. but the team will also see Thomas Rush play at linebacker and a lot of freshmen/redshirt freshmen play on the defensive line. Guys will be rotating but it will be key for them to get experience. The team also found out the defensive tackle OJ Smith got an extra year, so now he has two years to play for the Gophers.
Sid asked about PJ taking over a tough job when he decided to coach the Gophers, to which he responded that understood what he was getting himself into. He accepts the fact that the team need to take a few steps backward in order to take a large jump forward.
Fleck felt it was extremely important to let the quarterbacks go live in the scrimmage and be able to be hit since they have not thrown a collegiate pass, so the team needed to get them experience in understanding how that felt. There were a few different fumbles on snaps and sacks which is a good learning experience to take care of the football.
Mo Ibrahim had a great spring game and PJ said, “People need to start knowing his name.” Called him one of the toughest people he’s been around. He was the scout team offensive player of the year last year and was the scout team running back all season: “Scout team running back is not a very glorious position; you’re constantly being hit since you’re preparing the defense for the game. He didn’t miss one rep and continues to be durable. He’s not very big but he’s quick and powerful for being a small guy. I’m glad he’s on our football team and is only a redshirt freshman.”
Coach indicated that he thought Tyler Johnson had a very strong spring. Said that there won’t be a huge jump of development going forward but make a lot of small jumps: discipline, creating separation downfield, at the line of scrimmage, break points, etc.
The next two months there won’t be any live football, so the quarterbacks will have to find a way to get game-like situations to be in. In 7v7, there aren’t pass rushes or throwing lanes, so the coaches/players will use broomsticks to help simulate a pass rush and develop good habits.
Sid questioned if Vic Viramontes has been a disappointment. PJ responded that no he hasn’t been a disappointment, he’s only been here a few months and has a brand-new system to learn from. He did comment however that the ball security was a disappointing from him.
Thomas Barber, Antoine Winfield, Blake Cashman, and Curtis Dunlap were all held out of the spring game due to injuries. Coach indicated they would all be back for offseason/summer workouts and that none of the injuries going forward are serious.
Phillip Howard caught five passes during the spring game and while coach said he has a lot of work to do, he likes his speed and development as a slot receiver.
Mike Max questioned Fleck’s recruiting schedule now that the new signing day has been moved forward. Coach responded that it’s harder to sign guys early due to the early visit period so that recruits can visit different schools earlier than before. “A lot of guys are waiting to take their official visits now before they commit. Guys before would commit before official visits, so I think commitments will flood in at a later period. We’ve never been through this so it’s very exciting.”
Chris Autman-Bell is a name that is continuing to be thrown around as a guy to look for this upcoming season. “Chris is a guy that we really like. 77% of our team is underclassmen, we’re bringing in guys that we like. Fans are going to see young guys like Chris who will be here for a long time that they’ll become familiar with. He has great ball skills, he’s learning how become a complete receiver and take hits at the collegiate level which is different than high school. I’m very proud of him. Matt Simon does a great job.”
Defensively the team will rely on Thomas Barber, Kamal Martin, etc. but the team will also see Thomas Rush play at linebacker and a lot of freshmen/redshirt freshmen play on the defensive line. Guys will be rotating but it will be key for them to get experience. The team also found out the defensive tackle OJ Smith got an extra year, so now he has two years to play for the Gophers.
