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The War Room: December 8

zach johnson

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Jan 17, 2003
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Hino to take an earlier look
Previously Jordan Hinojosa had planned on visiting Minnesota in mid-January. His plans changed and he will be taking his visit this weekend.

“We have a game tomorrow night and then I am going to fly up on Saturday morning. I really wanted to get up there earlier and spend time with some of my new teammates and with the coaches. Plus it gave me a longer time before I moved up to really see what Minnesota is all about. I got all my paper work to Coach Miller today and I am all set to get up there and start kicking butt in January, I can’t wait!”


Ohio DB to visit this weekend
Shaker Heights, Ohio defensive back Antonio Johnson is currently committed to Ball State, but he will be among the visitors on campus this weekend for an official visit to Minnesota.

“I am heading to Minnesota for a visit on Friday. Coach Anderson was at my school last week and they want me to come up there and play safety for them. I don’t have an offer yet, but I think I will get one this weekend. I am really excited about my trip and hopefully the chance to play in the Big Ten.”


Harbison plays host to Coach Z
Receiver Jamel Harbison is one of the top priorities for the coaching staff in terms of keeping a hold on players for the class of 2012. This week he hosted Jim Zebrowski and he enjoyed his visit with the coach.

“Coach Z came to my house on Tuesday night and we had a really great visit. I love talking with him and getting to know him better. We just talked a lot about where they see me playing at Minnesota and how I can help the team. I am still committed to Minnesota and excited to be a Gopher. I don’t have any other visits set and right now I am still not sure if I will be taking any.”


Gophers working to flip another Bama prospect
Prattville, Alabama is always a popular stop on the recruiting trail, but Jay Sawvel has been spending a lot of time there lately. Among the prospects he is working on flipping there is athlete De’Ante Lawrence who is currently committed to Southern Mississippi.

“I have been talking to Coach Sawvel for a few weeks now. He really wants me to come up and see Minnesota and find out what they are all about. I was not sure if I was going to visit, but I have something set up for early January. I did not get to see him this week when he was at our school because I was at the All-Star Game practices, but I am going to call him again next week and make sure everything is set up.”


Gophers looking into Ohio’s Butt
Pickerington, Ohio lineman Jake Butt might be the top defensive end in the class of 2013 in the Midwest. Minnesota joined the growing number of teams to offer Butt when they pulled the trigger last week.

“Minnesota is a really good school. I know they had a tough year, but Coach Kill is a good coach and I think they will get it turned around. I really don’t know much about them or anyone else right now. I am still very open to all of the schools that are interested in me and I will be taking closer look at Minnesota for sure.”


Minnesota catches up with Bosch
Wheaton (Ill.) St. Francis offensive tackle Kyle Bosch is a wanted man this early in the 2013 class. Minnesota dropped by Bosch's school this week and he updates GI on what the Gophers had to say.

"In the last week Iowa, Purdue, Michigan State, Michigan and Minnesota have all dropped by," Bosch told GI. Minnesota came by on Tuesday to talk with me. Coach Phelps kept telling me how excited he was about me. He kept telling me to come by campus sometime this off-season to get a look at Minnesota. He'd also love for me to come to their Junior Day. Minnesota didn't offer me, but I really want to get up there to see what Minnesota is about."


Minnesota Coveting Covington?
Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek cornerback Anthony Covington visited with Coach Zebrowski on Tuesday and tells GI how the visit went.

"It was my first time meeting with a Minnesota coach," Covington said. "He said they're going to start expressing a lot of interest and that they're recruitment in me is going to pick up as well. He told me to stay in contact with him and gave me his number. Coach Z said that he really liked me intensity and my emotion on the field. He likes that I'm a little bit bigger than the average corner and have some speed to me. He wanted to talk more, but I had a meeting to get to. I'll definitely consider Minnesota."


Toby still hearing from Minnesota?
Hutchinson (Kan.) Commuity College defensive tackle Toby Johnson has thought to be one of the few JUCO defensive tackles that Minnesota has had it's eye on. Johnson updates GI on his recruitment.

"I'd say Nebraska is coming after me the hardest as of late," Johnson said. "I haven't talked to Minnesota in a month or so, but Coach Miller came down to our school last Thursday. I don't think he could talk to me because I'm a freshman, but we'll see if Minnesota is still interested pretty soon here."


Forston still a target?
Miami (Okla.) Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Community College defensive tackle Kevin Forston was thought to be another of a select few of JUCO defensive tackles that Minnesota had offered and wanted. Is that still the case?

"Minnesota hasn't been in contact with me for over a month," Forston told GI. "Not really sure what's going on there, but I just hearing from some other BCS schools now."


Lynn gets visit from U
Lake Zurich (Ill.) linebacker Jack Lynn got a surprise visit from Coach Zebrowski last Friday at school. Lynn recaps to GI what happened.

"Coach Z just stopped by to make sure everything was good with my official this coming weekend," Lynn said. "It was just small talk, but it was nice to see a Minnesota coach. I know that he also spoke with sophomore Colton Moskal, he's a linebacker here. I think he'll be really good, he's a lot bigger than I was at that age."


Brown off the list
Bridgeton (N.J.) defensive tackle Christian Brown was visited by Gopher coaches just a few weeks ago. Has Minnesota been in contact since?

"Minnesota hasn't spoken with me since then," Brown told GI. "Haven't gotten a call or anything since. I guess things just happen."


Noble help on the way?
Blacklick (Ohio) cornerback Jalen Noble sent in his highlight tape to Minnesota about a month ago and last week he was paid a visit by a Gopher coach. Noble recaps what his recruitment as of late.

"Northwestern, Purdue and Minnesota are the hardest teams coming after me that haven't offered," Noble explained to GI. "Last week Coach Anderson came to my school and told me that Minnesota wants me to visit in January. He talked to me about Minnesota and how the University fits into it. He also talked about the advantages of the going to Minnesota and how I could play on either side of the ball. He told me they're looking at me at wide receiver, cornerback, and a punt and kick returner."

What is Jalen's interest be in Minnesota right now?
"I love Minneapolis as a city," Noble said. "It's a great school academically and it's in the rebuilding stage as a football program, but it will be a top Big Ten program in the next few years. I really love how the coaches seem to have a great relationship with their coaches."


Eakins receives visit from Minnesota
Pickerington (Ohio) cornerback Billy Eakins is a new name to surface on the revolving door of the secondary recruiting for Minnesota. Eakins talks about his visit from Minnesota.

"Minnesota came by my school about a month ago now," Eakins said. "The coach said that they saw my film and they liked it a lot and are very interested, but I haven't heard from them since, which is very odd."


Roullier next in-line for an offer?
Burnsville (Minn.) offensive lineman Chase Roullier received a visit from Coach Limegrover last week and he tells GI what he had to say.

"Coach Limegrover told as of right now I won't get an offer," Roullier explained to GI. "But he did tell me I am next on there list in line for an offer. They said that they are looking for a real tall tackle to take with that offer."


Minnesota still playing the Fields?
Grand Blanc (Mich.) wide receiver Jordan Fields received an offer from Minnesota a few weeks ago and he updates GI on the latest between he and Minnesota.

"Coach Poore called me last night to talk more about setting up a visit to Minnesota and how my season went. I haven't been able to set up a visit yet because of my indoor track schedule, but I'm working on it. I think that they're interest has dropped in me a little bit though. They used to send me letters 2-3 times a weeks and emails and it's dropped lately."


Minnesota play the Charleston?
Hollywood (Fla.) Hills defensive tackle Jean-Marc Charles received a visit from Coach Miller on Wednesday and he recaps to GI how it went.

"It went alright I'd say," Charles said. "It was kind of a confusing meeting as they said they're still going to keep recruiting me, but Coach starting talking about scheduling a visit, but then stopped and changed the subject immediately. So I'm not sure what that was about, but I still really like Minnesota."


Moncrief back on the market?
Prattville (Ala.) safety Derrick Moncreif has been committed to South Mississippi for almost nine months now, but with the recent news of Fedora moving on, has that changed Moncreif's mind?

"I heard about the whole situation today after practice today," Moncrief told GI. "I've really shocked as to what's happening and I'm going to re-open my recruitment. Some teams have already tried talking with me. Teams like Arkansas, Michigan State, Kentucky and Minnesota. I've talked with Coach Sawvel two or three times and I was supposed to meet with him yesterday, but I'm at an all-star game right now. I'll know more on my recruiting in a week or so."


Full for Cheeks?
New Orleans (La.) O. Perry Walker defensive tackle Marques Cheeks had been trying to set up a visit to Minnesota last time GI spoke with him. What does the big defensive tackle have to say now?

"Ole Miss just started showing me some interest so I'm trying to stay patient," Cheeks told to GI. "I talked with Minnesota last week and they told me that already have two committed defensive tackles and are looking at a JUCO defensive tackle so they are full at that spot. They told me that if a spot opens up, I'll be one of the first to know."


Jones left out in the cold?
Absecon (N.J.) Holy Spirit running back Nigel Jones was told that Minnesota was increasing their interest in him last time GopherIllustrated talked with him. Jones gives us the latest on his recruiting.

"It's been pretty slow here of late," Jones said. "The line between Minnesota and I has gone cold as I haven't heard with them in over a month now."


Minnesota Visits Lauer
Minnesota continues to pursue in-state talent to help build the depth of the program. One prospect that has received interest is Wayzata offensive lineman Ben Lauer. Minnesota stopped by Wayzata last Friday to speak with the 6’7” 270 lbs offensive tackle.

“Coach Limegrover stopped by Wayzata last week to talk with me about my future plans. We spoke for about thirty to forty-five minutes about Minnesota. He really wants me to take a visit within the next couple weeks. Right now, I am planning to visit Minnesota after we can get a visit date set up. I want to see what Minnesota has to offer.”


Whitlow to Visit?
Prattville (AL) athlete Jalon Whitlow decommitted from Arkansas State recently to consider other options. Minnesota offered Whitlow nearly a month ago and has been pursuing him since. The coaching staff wants Whitlow to take a visit to check out Minnesota.

“I do plan to take a visit to Minnesota. Coach Sawvel was here this week to talk with my family. I have to call him to get a visit set up so I don’t know the exact date. I would like to see what Minnesota can offer me in person.”

Look for a teammate or two to join Whitlow on his official visit to Minnesota.


Donaldson: A New Name
Roosevelt Donaldson is a new name for Golden Gopher fans. The Florida defensive lineman recently started hearing from Minnesota. Donaldson would like to know more about the maroon and gold.

“Coach Miller was down here last week to talk with me. He showed me a video about Minnesota. I enjoyed Coach Miller he kept me really interested about the Gophers. He also brought up taking a visit to Minnesota. I would like to take an official visit to Minnesota in January but no date is set yet.”

Donaldson currently holds offers from FIU, Western Michigan, and Louisiana Lafayette.


Another from Lakeville?
Minnesota already has one player from Lakeville South in its 2012 recruiting class. Devon Bzoskie may become the second player from Lakeville South to join Minnesota’s class.

“Coach Glasscock told me that they plan to offer me as a preferred walk-on. Right now I don’t have any D1 offers so the offer from Minnesota would give me a chance to pursue my dream. I am definitely leaning towards Minnesota if the preferred walk-on offer becomes official. I think it would be an ideal situation to play close to home for Coach Kill.”


Hill Getting a Look
One in-state prospect that has watched his stock rise is Champlin Park’s Anthony Hill. Hill’s successful senior has led to many schools interested in his services. The Champlin Park defensive back has started to hear from Minnesota.

“Minnesota has started to show me some interest. We are just talking right now but I should know more within the next week or so. Air Force, NDSU, SDSU, UND, and Minnesota have all come to my school to talk with me. I have offers from SDSU and UND. I am interested to see what Minnesota has to say.”

Hill received All Metro honors and was also named Defensive Player of the Year in his conference. Stay tuned to GI to find out more about Hill in the upcoming weeks.


Two more visitors?
Sources are telling GI.com to expect two more official visitors this weekend. The first official visitor goes by the name of Nick Rallis and currently attends Edina High School in Edina, Minnesota.

The second goes by the name of Robert Gregory and attends Simeon High School in Chicago, Illinois.

Neither recruits accept phone calls from GI.com so these trips are expected but unconfirmed. GI.com did contact HawgSports.com's Trey Biddy to discuss the Gregory situation. "Gregory has been hard to get a hole of lately, but we did confirm that he was going to open up and look around," he said. "Petrino usually only likes to bring in one quarterback a year and Gregory was thought to be that guy. However, Arkansas has been involved with some other high profile quarterbacks in this class lately."


Confirmed Transfer for Pride
Gi.com was able to confirm the report from Marcus Fuller of the Pioneer Press that Gopher wide receiver J.D. Pride is planning to transfer from the U. Currently, Pride has no specific plans on his next location.

“I’m not sure yet,” Pride said when asked about his future location. “I have just been talking to a couple of places in the AA division, but so far no decision.”
This post was edited on 12/8 8:02 PM by Zach Johnson
This post was edited on 12/8 8:38 PM by Ryan Burns
 
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