Sid opened asking about the new redshirt recruiting rule that allows players to play up to four games without losing their redshirt. PJ called it “one of the best things the NCAA has done” in terms of rule changes. It allows teams with plenty of freshmen, like the Gophers, to play young players without losing a year of eligibility.
2019 recruits are coming to campus at the end of July for a big unofficial recruiting weekend then the class will sign in December. Fleck believes the 2018 and 2019 classes will set the tone for the future. He also gave praise to the seniors for being great leaders to the younger players.
Satellite camps are a big source of recruiting for the staff to evaluate players live in person. The staff pairs up with a Division II school in specific areas around the country where the Division II school runs the camp, and the Gopher staff attends. There is a strategy to where/when to have these camps as the staff is allowed a certain number of hours for camps yearly, so the location of the camp is strategic. PJ believes these camps have been incredibly helpful in recruiting and evaluating players live.
Coach Fleck was very honest in the fact that this team will probably not have a ton of All-American or All-Conference players, so they need to be the best team they can be all-around. He called Antoine Winfield “one of the best players in the Big Ten” and alluded to the fact again that many young players will be counted on to contribute this season.
Mike questioned how the secondary will look going into the season. Fleck said Antoine will move all over the field whether it be safety, corner, nickel, off the edge, etc. pending on how the incoming freshmen DB’s play and what their skillsets are.
Blake Cashman is fully healthy heading into camp after offseason surgery. PJ: “I think he’s really ready to breakout again. I know he broke out near the end of the season a couple years ago, but we look at him as a leader and he’s put himself in a position to be a guy we rely on to perform at a high level.”
2019 recruits are coming to campus at the end of July for a big unofficial recruiting weekend then the class will sign in December. Fleck believes the 2018 and 2019 classes will set the tone for the future. He also gave praise to the seniors for being great leaders to the younger players.
Satellite camps are a big source of recruiting for the staff to evaluate players live in person. The staff pairs up with a Division II school in specific areas around the country where the Division II school runs the camp, and the Gopher staff attends. There is a strategy to where/when to have these camps as the staff is allowed a certain number of hours for camps yearly, so the location of the camp is strategic. PJ believes these camps have been incredibly helpful in recruiting and evaluating players live.
Coach Fleck was very honest in the fact that this team will probably not have a ton of All-American or All-Conference players, so they need to be the best team they can be all-around. He called Antoine Winfield “one of the best players in the Big Ten” and alluded to the fact again that many young players will be counted on to contribute this season.
Mike questioned how the secondary will look going into the season. Fleck said Antoine will move all over the field whether it be safety, corner, nickel, off the edge, etc. pending on how the incoming freshmen DB’s play and what their skillsets are.
Blake Cashman is fully healthy heading into camp after offseason surgery. PJ: “I think he’s really ready to breakout again. I know he broke out near the end of the season a couple years ago, but we look at him as a leader and he’s put himself in a position to be a guy we rely on to perform at a high level.”
