Recruiting these two states could be more impactful for the Gophers in 2017 than some Midwest states on the recruiting trail this spring.
Though prospects in the southeast supply most of the power conference teams in college football and scouts flock to the area routinely, having two assistant coaches who recently worked in the south is an added bonus for Minnesota. Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson coached at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette for five seasons before joining the Minnesota staff in December while offensive line coach Bart Miller arrived from Florida Atlantic University.
Why are they recruiting Alabama?
Defense, defense and more defense. Every recruit the staff has offered is a defender. The staff has targeted two of the nation's top defensive backs, a position at Minnesota that has a reputation for potential NFL draft picks. Minnesota has had a DB drafted in each of the last three NFL drafts.
While we can expect Damarius Travis will do his best to mentor the incoming DBs for the freshman class of 2016, the Gophers will have big shoes to fill after this season when Travis graduates, along with Ace Rogers and Jalen Myrick.
The possibility of landing Notre Dame transfer and safety Mykelti Williams (now at Iowa Western CC) for 2017 still stands, but here are the DBs with offers from the Gophers in Alabama.
Who are the possible commits?
The strongest pick would be cornerback Jordyn Peters. Three-star prospect from Muscle Shoals was offered by Minnesota in April and it was his first Big Ten offer. In an interview with GI, Peters said he was impressed with the staff's ability to develop NFL-ready DBs.
AJ Harris is another high-level target who could help fill the need at safety.
DT Neil Farrell is rated one of the top 20 DT's in the country and with Minnesota's defensive line being one of the biggest concerns after last season, could alter the defense, even as a freshman.
The prize recruit?
That would be four-star inside linebacker Kendric Haynes. 4-star LB is a wrecking ball of a tackler. Everything around him goes down hard. Very physical and fast.
LOUISIANA
What do they need from Louisiana?
The recruiting is the exact opposite, with the Gophers offering all offensive players. At the receiver position, by 2017 Hunter Register will be a sophomore, Rashad Still will be a junior and Eric Carter a senior. Drew Wolitarsky will be gone. How about a pair of talented receivers to bring in a new generation of wide outs?
Who are the possible commits?
Michael Young a three-star WR from Destrehan, Louisiana, recently told GI he likes Minnesota's offensive scheme, as does Jeremy Singleton, a three-star WR from New Orleans. Both WRs said the like OC Jay Johnson, who as we know, coached in Louisiana for 5 years.
"I like the way he uses receivers, quarterbacks and running backs, options, misdirection and a lot of high-low concepts with the receivers," Young said. "A lot of that stuff intrigued me, how he utilizes his receivers and tries to get them the ball in space for yards after catch."
Singleton said he can see himself playing the slot position at Minnesota.
Running back Jakyle Holmes is the most likely to commit to the Gophers and one of the 10 prospects I thought would eventually pick UMN back in March. Holmes has reportedly run a 40-yard dash as quickly as 4.38 seconds and Minnesota was the first power conference school to offer. I think a visit, unofficial or official, will seal the deal for Holmes.
The prize recruit?
It's a toss up between Young and Singleton, but Young is probably considered the better prospect, though both are rated three stars.
Though prospects in the southeast supply most of the power conference teams in college football and scouts flock to the area routinely, having two assistant coaches who recently worked in the south is an added bonus for Minnesota. Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson coached at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette for five seasons before joining the Minnesota staff in December while offensive line coach Bart Miller arrived from Florida Atlantic University.
Why are they recruiting Alabama?
Defense, defense and more defense. Every recruit the staff has offered is a defender. The staff has targeted two of the nation's top defensive backs, a position at Minnesota that has a reputation for potential NFL draft picks. Minnesota has had a DB drafted in each of the last three NFL drafts.
While we can expect Damarius Travis will do his best to mentor the incoming DBs for the freshman class of 2016, the Gophers will have big shoes to fill after this season when Travis graduates, along with Ace Rogers and Jalen Myrick.
The possibility of landing Notre Dame transfer and safety Mykelti Williams (now at Iowa Western CC) for 2017 still stands, but here are the DBs with offers from the Gophers in Alabama.
Who are the possible commits?
The strongest pick would be cornerback Jordyn Peters. Three-star prospect from Muscle Shoals was offered by Minnesota in April and it was his first Big Ten offer. In an interview with GI, Peters said he was impressed with the staff's ability to develop NFL-ready DBs.
AJ Harris is another high-level target who could help fill the need at safety.
DT Neil Farrell is rated one of the top 20 DT's in the country and with Minnesota's defensive line being one of the biggest concerns after last season, could alter the defense, even as a freshman.
The prize recruit?
That would be four-star inside linebacker Kendric Haynes. 4-star LB is a wrecking ball of a tackler. Everything around him goes down hard. Very physical and fast.
LOUISIANA
What do they need from Louisiana?
The recruiting is the exact opposite, with the Gophers offering all offensive players. At the receiver position, by 2017 Hunter Register will be a sophomore, Rashad Still will be a junior and Eric Carter a senior. Drew Wolitarsky will be gone. How about a pair of talented receivers to bring in a new generation of wide outs?
Who are the possible commits?
Michael Young a three-star WR from Destrehan, Louisiana, recently told GI he likes Minnesota's offensive scheme, as does Jeremy Singleton, a three-star WR from New Orleans. Both WRs said the like OC Jay Johnson, who as we know, coached in Louisiana for 5 years.
"I like the way he uses receivers, quarterbacks and running backs, options, misdirection and a lot of high-low concepts with the receivers," Young said. "A lot of that stuff intrigued me, how he utilizes his receivers and tries to get them the ball in space for yards after catch."
Singleton said he can see himself playing the slot position at Minnesota.
Running back Jakyle Holmes is the most likely to commit to the Gophers and one of the 10 prospects I thought would eventually pick UMN back in March. Holmes has reportedly run a 40-yard dash as quickly as 4.38 seconds and Minnesota was the first power conference school to offer. I think a visit, unofficial or official, will seal the deal for Holmes.
The prize recruit?
It's a toss up between Young and Singleton, but Young is probably considered the better prospect, though both are rated three stars.
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