In at least four of the six years of the Kill-Claeys regime at Minnesota, the head coaches complained about "how young" their teams were. Although that was usually true, why was it true? It had everything to do with the quality of recruiting, how players were used and the large numbers that left the program over time.
The six recruiting classes over this time period average 21 players in size. On average, five of these players saw action as true freshmen and were never red-shirted. An average of three were JUCO players and about six members left school long before their senior years. In a typical class, only seven per year have been red-shirted. Outside of offensive linemen, unfortunately, most of this last group of players have not helped the Gophers very much or at all over the years.
Those who have played as true freshmen have usually become the stars of the team--think D. Cobb, C. Thompson, D. Wells, T. Olson, A. Johnson, S. Epke, K.J. Maye, D. Travis, D. Wltwsky, S. Richardson, A. Stelter, J. Celestein, B. Lingren, S. Brooks, A. Winfield, C. Coughlin, T. Barber and K. Martin. The problem is that most play/played their whole careers against opponents who have been red-shirted.
Kill-Claeys not only recruited JUCOs, many of these players were key performers for the two or three years they were at Minnesota--think Roland Johnson, J. Rabe, I. Fruechette, C. Poock, M. Shabbazz, BB-C, D. Wilson, D Campbell and last year's three starting offensive linemen. These players are great while they last. They just don't last long enough.
Turn-over among recruits are a problem everywhere in college football, I am sure. But some of the turnover during the last six years has been awful. Six of the eight quarterbacks recruited all left the program early. The results among wide receivers are not much better.
Finally, those players that have been red-shirted have not contributed that much. The big exception to this statement are offensive linemen. Minnesota must improve in all of these areas to compete for a Big 10 West championship. Hopefully, Fleck and his staff will help the Gophers take such a big step forward.
The six recruiting classes over this time period average 21 players in size. On average, five of these players saw action as true freshmen and were never red-shirted. An average of three were JUCO players and about six members left school long before their senior years. In a typical class, only seven per year have been red-shirted. Outside of offensive linemen, unfortunately, most of this last group of players have not helped the Gophers very much or at all over the years.
Those who have played as true freshmen have usually become the stars of the team--think D. Cobb, C. Thompson, D. Wells, T. Olson, A. Johnson, S. Epke, K.J. Maye, D. Travis, D. Wltwsky, S. Richardson, A. Stelter, J. Celestein, B. Lingren, S. Brooks, A. Winfield, C. Coughlin, T. Barber and K. Martin. The problem is that most play/played their whole careers against opponents who have been red-shirted.
Kill-Claeys not only recruited JUCOs, many of these players were key performers for the two or three years they were at Minnesota--think Roland Johnson, J. Rabe, I. Fruechette, C. Poock, M. Shabbazz, BB-C, D. Wilson, D Campbell and last year's three starting offensive linemen. These players are great while they last. They just don't last long enough.
Turn-over among recruits are a problem everywhere in college football, I am sure. But some of the turnover during the last six years has been awful. Six of the eight quarterbacks recruited all left the program early. The results among wide receivers are not much better.
Finally, those players that have been red-shirted have not contributed that much. The big exception to this statement are offensive linemen. Minnesota must improve in all of these areas to compete for a Big 10 West championship. Hopefully, Fleck and his staff will help the Gophers take such a big step forward.
