I've updated my list of former Gophers who are currently playing college football for the end of the 2009 season. The original post was quite popular, so I've updated the list and the notes of interest. Any changes from the original post are highlighted with bold type:
Every college football program in America will lose players that either don't qualify for academic reasons, transfer, or leave the team for other reasons. Minnesota is no exception. Many of their names are never again heard after their departure. Ever wonder which former Gophers could still be playing for the team, and whether or not they would have added depth to the current squad? Following is a list of former Gophers, where they are now, and what kind of season they are having so far. Click on their highlighted names to view their player profile pages on the websites of their current teams:
Name | P | School | Yr. (if a Gopher) | Notes |
Otis Hudson | OT | Eastern Illinois | Sr. | 6'5 331 lb. Hudson is a starting right tackle |
Alex Daniels | DL | Cincinnati | Sr. | 6.5 sacks and 50 tackles for the undefeated Bearcats |
Tramaine Brock | S | Belhaven College | Sr. | 6 interceptions for 225 yards, 2.5 sacks and 51 tackles |
E.J. Jones | CB | Illinois State | Sr. | Jones has 6 interceptions and 36 tackles |
Hasan Lipscomb | RB | Blinn College | Fr. | Lipscomb is redshirting with a knee injury |
Roszell Gayden | OT | College of the Sequioas | So. |
A 4 star JUCO recruit, has committed to Auburn |
Clint Brewster | QB | Tennessee Tech | So. | Hasn't played yet, but another backup QB with a few years in the program couldn't have hurt the Gophers |
Brodrick Smith | WR | Kansas State | So. | Transfer year - will not play |
Ralph Spry | WR | Auburn | Jr. | Transfer year - will not play |
Tray Herndon | WR | Vanderbilt | Jr. | 1 reception for 17 yards this season |
Vince Hill | WR | ? | So. | On the Temple squad last year, no longer on their online roster |
Tim McGee | DT | Memphis | Sr. | 13 tackles and 1 sack for the Tigers |
Willie Dyson | DL | NW Missouri St. | Jr. | No statistics this season |
Justin Chatman | CB | North Texas | Jr. | No statistics this season |
Tommy Becker | LB | St. Thomas | Sr. |
5.5 sacks and 61 tackles for St. Thomas in Division 3 |
Curtis James | OL | St. Thomas | Fr. | Playing for St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN |
I'll put together a similar post at the end of the season. If I missed any players that are on other teams, let me know in the comments section. My own take is that Minnesota could have benefitted from having Otis Hudson and Roszell Gayden as options at tackle, E.J. Jones and Tramaine Brock as additional defensive backs, Alex Daniels as a defensive end, and Clint Brewster as an experienced backup quarterback.
In particular, Tramaine Brock and E.J. Jones had great seasons with 6 interceptions each, and Tramaine Brock had 225 return yards off of those interceptions along with 2.5 sacks as a safety. Reasons for player departures aside, what do you think?