Day Two of the Pre-Spring Practice Depth Chart takes a look at the defensive side of the ball. Minnesota loses some key figures on the defensive side and has their work cut out for them in replacing that production. Potential first rounder Boye Mafe paced the Gophers with 10 TFL and seven sacks in 2021 and was the highest graded defensive player per PFF while Esezi Otomewo, the second highest graded defensive player per PFF, also chipped in with 4.5 TFL and three sacks. Steady grad transfers Micah Dew-Treadway and Nyles Pinckney also graduated leaving some playing time open for other contributors.
In the middle, grad transfer Jack Gibbens was exceptional in his lone year with the Maroon & Gold, leading the team with 92 tackles to pair with 4.5 TFL. His replacement will likely come from an internal source already within the team, but poses a question as to who is ready to take that step.
The secondary loses a multi-year starter in Coney Durr whose versatility and attitude are not easy to replace. Then, in the slot Justus Harris moves on from the program as well which opens up a spot for another player that may be a younger player ready to step up, or may be one of the talented transfers the team brings into the program.
Here is my pre-Spring Practice projected defensive depth chart:
DE:
1. Thomas Rush/Jah Joyner
2. Austin Booker/Lorenza Surgers
3. Danny Striggow/Gage Keys/Jalen Logan-Redding
This is one group that I'm excited to get more clarity on in spring practice. As of now, Thomas Rush is the only for sure in terms of his position and where he stands. Rush took a step forward in 2021, finishing second on the team in both TFL and sacks, finishing with 7.5 and 5.5, respectively. Right now, I have Jah Joyner as the lead choice to play alongside Rush. The redshirt sophomore played sparingly throughout the season, but showed his potential in the bowl game with a hurry and a sack in the bowl game. I think Fleck's plan was to get Joyner's feet wet knowing his importance in 2022. With the second rotation, I have Austin Booker playing with Jalen Logan-Redding. The coaching staff LOVES Booker and his upside, so I expect him to get plenty of snaps this season at the R spot after redshirting a year ago. Vanderbilt transfer Lorenza Surgers I have slotted as the second strongside DE. Surgers played 311 snaps a year ago at Vanderbilt while boasting a slightly above average 66.6 PFF grade with 17 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and one sack. Within the third group I have Danny Striggow at the R spot with Gage Keys and Jalen Logan-Redding battle for the other DE position. Keys has been injured the past couple of seasons and I'm curious to see how he looks in practice this spring. Jalen Logan-Redding has been in and out of the lineup over the past couple of seasons only logging 30 snaps last year so I am interested to see where he is at this spring. Truth be told, I expect to see a lot of fresh bodies and rotation in this group in 2022.
DT:
1. De'Angelo Carter/Chris Smith
2. Jacob Schuster/Darnell Jefferies
3. Logan Richter/Luther McCoy/Deven Eastern
Another one that will have a lot more clarity post-spring practice. Similarly, the only known is De'Angelo Carter. He was the starting 1-tech a year ago and that won't change. He provided 20 tackles, 5 TFL, and one sack a year ago. Beyond him, there is a lot of open opportunities. I have Harvard transfer Chris Smith listed as the starting 3-tech at the moment. In 2021, Smith made 40 tackles, five TFLs, and 3.5 sacks in 10 games leading him to First Time All-Ivy League honors. He finished the season with an elite 85.7 defensive grade per PFF which includes a 90.2(!) rush defense grade. I am giving him the starting nod first. Jacob Schuster redshirted a season ago but all reports from the team are that Schuster really impressed in his freshman season and by the end of it, was winning his fair share of battles against the highest graded OL per PFF. I think Gopher fans are going to meet Jacob Schuster this season and I expect to see him in the rotation. The second 3-tech spot is up for grabs for me. For now I listed Darnell Jefferies, the Clemson transfer. He only had one tackle last season and played 25 snaps, but that as a graduate transfer that has been around a lot of football I will put him in there for now until I see McCoy and Eastern this spring. But like the DE spot, I expect a lot of rotation and bodies at this spot this season.
LB:
1. Mariano Sori-Marin/Cody Lindenberg/Braelen Oliver
2. Donald Willis/Devon Williams/Josh Aune
3. Lucas Finnessy/Derik LeCaptain/Connor Keyes
As mentioned in the intro, Jack Gibbens paced this group in 2021 and has now graduated leaving an open spot in the middle. Mariano Sori-Marin moved to the WILL last season as Gibbens played MIKE and really played much better than in 2020. I think he will stay there this season. Oliver struggled last year in his first back from a knee injury, but another year removed and another year in the weight room should have Oliver back to playing how we expect at the SAM. At the MIKE, I have Cody Lindenberg. Lindenberg was hurt this past season, but Gopher fans are going to be excited to see him. He looks like a legitimate NFL linebacker. He's all of 6'3", 240-pounds and has really filled out his frame. Wait until you see him live. I think he's going to have an impressive season. Second group brings in Donald Willis who continues to play in his 3rd down package role with Devon Williams and Josh Aune who returns from a knee injury last year.
S:
1. Tyler Nubin/Jordan Howden
2. Michael Dixon/Darius Green
No surprises here. Nubin and Howden return as their third straight year starting together. Howden was the fourth highest graded player per PFF Nubin came in at seventh. Howden was fourth on the team in tackles with 43 and five PBUs while Nubin finished third on the team in tackles with 52 and led the team in interceptions with three. Howden should continue his steady play and presence but Nubin is the one I am really excited to see. He took a massive step between 2020 and 2021 and with his athleticism and work ethic, I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up with some sort of All-Big Ten honor this year. Dixon should continue to fill in in spot duty while I have Darius Green at the other safety spot.
CB:
1. Justin Walley/Ryan Stapp/Beanie Bishop
2. Terell Smith/Solomon Brown/Miles Fleming
3. Jalen Glaze/Steven Ortiz Jr./Victor Pless
No position group on the defense was impacted more via the transfer portal than this one. This group went from inexperienced to experienced quickly. We'll start with Justin Walley. The highest graded freshman cornerback per PFF a year ago. Walley was exceptional as a freshman, finishing 5th on the team in PFF grade accumulating 29 tackles, seven PBUs, and one interception. Walley appears to be on the fast track to an All-Big Ten team and should be one of the better corners in the conference even by next season. Next we'll go with ACU transfer Ryan Stapp. Stapp finished last year with 44 tackles and one interception. Per PFF, he graded out with an impressive 79.7 overall grade and a 77.9 coverage grade. At 6'0" and a track star in high school, I was impressed with Stapp's instincts and quickness in his film. I expect him to be a day one starter alongside Walley and Bishop. Which brings me to Bishop, a 2021 All-Conference USA First Team honoree. He posted a stat line of 42 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and three INTs in 2021 showcasing his abilities not only to cover but play in run support as well. 74.4 overall grade per PFF with an 82.5 rush defense trade. That type of versatility can allow Bishop to potentially play in the slot as a nickel corner where he can play in the box a la Coney Durr a year ago. That group turned pretty good pretty quick. Behind them, I have Terell Smith, Solomon Brown, and Miles Fleming. Smith hasn't been able to crack the lineup the past couple of years getting consistently hopped by others which appears to be the case here. Solomon Brown has patiently waited his turn at the nickel corner spot, but I think he may have gotten hopped. He still could see the field if the team isn't getting the type of in-the-box tackling production they are looking for from the nickel spot. Then, I have Miles Fleming also with that group who was in the discussion a year ago before Walley claimed it.
In the middle, grad transfer Jack Gibbens was exceptional in his lone year with the Maroon & Gold, leading the team with 92 tackles to pair with 4.5 TFL. His replacement will likely come from an internal source already within the team, but poses a question as to who is ready to take that step.
The secondary loses a multi-year starter in Coney Durr whose versatility and attitude are not easy to replace. Then, in the slot Justus Harris moves on from the program as well which opens up a spot for another player that may be a younger player ready to step up, or may be one of the talented transfers the team brings into the program.
Here is my pre-Spring Practice projected defensive depth chart:
DE:
1. Thomas Rush/Jah Joyner
2. Austin Booker/Lorenza Surgers
3. Danny Striggow/Gage Keys/Jalen Logan-Redding
This is one group that I'm excited to get more clarity on in spring practice. As of now, Thomas Rush is the only for sure in terms of his position and where he stands. Rush took a step forward in 2021, finishing second on the team in both TFL and sacks, finishing with 7.5 and 5.5, respectively. Right now, I have Jah Joyner as the lead choice to play alongside Rush. The redshirt sophomore played sparingly throughout the season, but showed his potential in the bowl game with a hurry and a sack in the bowl game. I think Fleck's plan was to get Joyner's feet wet knowing his importance in 2022. With the second rotation, I have Austin Booker playing with Jalen Logan-Redding. The coaching staff LOVES Booker and his upside, so I expect him to get plenty of snaps this season at the R spot after redshirting a year ago. Vanderbilt transfer Lorenza Surgers I have slotted as the second strongside DE. Surgers played 311 snaps a year ago at Vanderbilt while boasting a slightly above average 66.6 PFF grade with 17 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and one sack. Within the third group I have Danny Striggow at the R spot with Gage Keys and Jalen Logan-Redding battle for the other DE position. Keys has been injured the past couple of seasons and I'm curious to see how he looks in practice this spring. Jalen Logan-Redding has been in and out of the lineup over the past couple of seasons only logging 30 snaps last year so I am interested to see where he is at this spring. Truth be told, I expect to see a lot of fresh bodies and rotation in this group in 2022.
DT:
1. De'Angelo Carter/Chris Smith
2. Jacob Schuster/Darnell Jefferies
3. Logan Richter/Luther McCoy/Deven Eastern
Another one that will have a lot more clarity post-spring practice. Similarly, the only known is De'Angelo Carter. He was the starting 1-tech a year ago and that won't change. He provided 20 tackles, 5 TFL, and one sack a year ago. Beyond him, there is a lot of open opportunities. I have Harvard transfer Chris Smith listed as the starting 3-tech at the moment. In 2021, Smith made 40 tackles, five TFLs, and 3.5 sacks in 10 games leading him to First Time All-Ivy League honors. He finished the season with an elite 85.7 defensive grade per PFF which includes a 90.2(!) rush defense grade. I am giving him the starting nod first. Jacob Schuster redshirted a season ago but all reports from the team are that Schuster really impressed in his freshman season and by the end of it, was winning his fair share of battles against the highest graded OL per PFF. I think Gopher fans are going to meet Jacob Schuster this season and I expect to see him in the rotation. The second 3-tech spot is up for grabs for me. For now I listed Darnell Jefferies, the Clemson transfer. He only had one tackle last season and played 25 snaps, but that as a graduate transfer that has been around a lot of football I will put him in there for now until I see McCoy and Eastern this spring. But like the DE spot, I expect a lot of rotation and bodies at this spot this season.
LB:
1. Mariano Sori-Marin/Cody Lindenberg/Braelen Oliver
2. Donald Willis/Devon Williams/Josh Aune
3. Lucas Finnessy/Derik LeCaptain/Connor Keyes
As mentioned in the intro, Jack Gibbens paced this group in 2021 and has now graduated leaving an open spot in the middle. Mariano Sori-Marin moved to the WILL last season as Gibbens played MIKE and really played much better than in 2020. I think he will stay there this season. Oliver struggled last year in his first back from a knee injury, but another year removed and another year in the weight room should have Oliver back to playing how we expect at the SAM. At the MIKE, I have Cody Lindenberg. Lindenberg was hurt this past season, but Gopher fans are going to be excited to see him. He looks like a legitimate NFL linebacker. He's all of 6'3", 240-pounds and has really filled out his frame. Wait until you see him live. I think he's going to have an impressive season. Second group brings in Donald Willis who continues to play in his 3rd down package role with Devon Williams and Josh Aune who returns from a knee injury last year.
S:
1. Tyler Nubin/Jordan Howden
2. Michael Dixon/Darius Green
No surprises here. Nubin and Howden return as their third straight year starting together. Howden was the fourth highest graded player per PFF Nubin came in at seventh. Howden was fourth on the team in tackles with 43 and five PBUs while Nubin finished third on the team in tackles with 52 and led the team in interceptions with three. Howden should continue his steady play and presence but Nubin is the one I am really excited to see. He took a massive step between 2020 and 2021 and with his athleticism and work ethic, I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up with some sort of All-Big Ten honor this year. Dixon should continue to fill in in spot duty while I have Darius Green at the other safety spot.
CB:
1. Justin Walley/Ryan Stapp/Beanie Bishop
2. Terell Smith/Solomon Brown/Miles Fleming
3. Jalen Glaze/Steven Ortiz Jr./Victor Pless
No position group on the defense was impacted more via the transfer portal than this one. This group went from inexperienced to experienced quickly. We'll start with Justin Walley. The highest graded freshman cornerback per PFF a year ago. Walley was exceptional as a freshman, finishing 5th on the team in PFF grade accumulating 29 tackles, seven PBUs, and one interception. Walley appears to be on the fast track to an All-Big Ten team and should be one of the better corners in the conference even by next season. Next we'll go with ACU transfer Ryan Stapp. Stapp finished last year with 44 tackles and one interception. Per PFF, he graded out with an impressive 79.7 overall grade and a 77.9 coverage grade. At 6'0" and a track star in high school, I was impressed with Stapp's instincts and quickness in his film. I expect him to be a day one starter alongside Walley and Bishop. Which brings me to Bishop, a 2021 All-Conference USA First Team honoree. He posted a stat line of 42 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and three INTs in 2021 showcasing his abilities not only to cover but play in run support as well. 74.4 overall grade per PFF with an 82.5 rush defense trade. That type of versatility can allow Bishop to potentially play in the slot as a nickel corner where he can play in the box a la Coney Durr a year ago. That group turned pretty good pretty quick. Behind them, I have Terell Smith, Solomon Brown, and Miles Fleming. Smith hasn't been able to crack the lineup the past couple of years getting consistently hopped by others which appears to be the case here. Solomon Brown has patiently waited his turn at the nickel corner spot, but I think he may have gotten hopped. He still could see the field if the team isn't getting the type of in-the-box tackling production they are looking for from the nickel spot. Then, I have Miles Fleming also with that group who was in the discussion a year ago before Walley claimed it.
Last edited:
