Golden Nugz - 07.22.10

According to the new Gopher's beatwriter for the STrib, Kim Royston will be back for the opening game in 2010.

Gophers coach Tim Brewster said Wednesday that Royston, who broke both the fibula and tibia in his lower left leg during spring practice, is running again and will take part, in a reduced role at first, when two-a-days begin for the Gophers on Aug. 6.

"Our full expectation is that Kim will play in our season opener Sept. 2 [against Middle Tennessee State]," Brewster said. "He's come a long way already."

Breaking both bones in the spring and playing BCS level football in August is pretty remarkable.  This defense needs Royston to not only be on the field but be able to play at a high level.  He'll be an interesting story throughout camp.

• Remember Big Play Traye?  He has signed with the San Diego Chargers and will get a chance to compete for a roster spot very soon.  "I wanted to go to an established winner in the conference," Simmons said. "To be in such a beautiful city and get the chance to show what I can do on the next level, it was a no-brainer for me."
• Local article on Gopher verbal commit, Marquise Vann.  The article finishes highlighting Vann's 3.52 GPA and his plans to major in engineering.
• Wisconsin's #1 high school basketball player is not going to play for the Badgers.  Nor is he going to play for the Gophers who were thought to be among the favorites for Paul Jesperson.  Instead Jesperson chose to go play with Tony Bennett at Virginia.
• Tubby Smith is calling a foul on Memphis coach Josh Pastner who took some time from high school recruiting to do a little recruiting of Trevor Mbakwe.  Apparently Pastner did skirt some NCAA rules about watching players at  non-sanctioned event.
• In more basketball recruiting news, Tubby appears to be on the chase for Chane Behanan a five-star forward out of Kentucky.  Tubby will have to fight off the likes of North Carolina, Georgetown, Ohio State, Florida State and others.