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The 2010 Gopher Football Recruiting Class - The Midwest kids

24 officially signed letters of intent. This class is getting mixed reviews depending on which Gopher fan you talk to or which recruiting sight you prefer. This class has a handful of players expected to be significant contributors down the road, a couple key JUCOs and a number of lower rated players that will need to be developed.

I'm going to give you quick profiles on your entire 2010 class (special thanks to Tomahawk Nation for the table). As it turns out there were 10 Midwest kids, 11 non-midwest kids and then 4 JUCOs. I'll begin with the kids from the Midwest.

Minnesota - 3
Illinois - 1
Ohio - 1
Wisconsin - 3
Missouri -
Indiana - 1

Jimmy Gjere
Jimmy_gjere_medium

Position: Offensive Line (probably tackle)

Measurables: 6-7 / 275

Videos: [1]

Rankings:
- Rivals: #17 OT, #161 overall, (4*)
- Scout: #21 OT
- ESPN: #19 OG

Notes:
Any other year this would be a recruit Gopher fans would be ecstatic about. But this year he is the runner-up to Seantrel Henderson when it comes to Offensive Tackles from our state. But Gjere projects to not dissapoint. Big frame, good footwork, very good athlete. Should be noted that in 2009 Gjere threw more touchdown passes (2) than MarQueis Gray! Also plays hockey and baseball. I'm confident that Gjere is going to be a very good Gopher and longtime starter at LT.

Lamonte Edwards
Lamonte_edwards2_medium

Position: RB / LB (very likely RB)

Measurables: 6-2 / 218 / 4.48
benches 305 lbs

Videos: [1]

Rankings:
- Rivals: #29 ATH (4*)
- Scout: #86 OLB
- ESPN: #89 RB

Notes:
The other significant local product to sign with the Gophers. Edwards is athletic and has the potential to be a very good running back in what is a wide open Gopher backfield. He may have the best shot at contributing as a true freshman. Brewster believes had Edwards played his high school FB in Texas or Florida he would have had more offers than he would have known what to do with.

Tom Parish
Jimmy_gjere_medium

Position:QB

Measurables: 6-3 / 200 / 4.6

Videos: N/A

Rankings:
- Rivals: #15 dual-threat QB (3*)
- Scout: #67 QB
- ESPN: # 114 QB

Notes:

Good size, accurate and mobile though not exactly finished product. Parish will very likely red-shirt and will have the opportunity to battle with Moses Alipate for the Gopher QB in a couple years. Had an offer from Iowa, did not however have an offer from his home-state Wisconsin Badgers.

James Manuel

James_manuel_medium

Position: Safety

Measurables: 6-2 / 200 / 4.5

Videos: N/A

Rankings:
- Rivals: #79 S (3*)
- Scout: #56 S
- ESPN: #37 S

Notes:
Manuel projects to be a hard-hitting safety. His ESPN eval says over and over that he is an aggressive tackler who also has good cover skills. Could potentially play CB or even LB but seems best suited for the safety position. With the depth we have a S, Manuel may get the benefit of a red-shirt year and then a long and hopefully productive Gopher career. Manuel has some very good tools to be be an excellent Big Ten Safety.
Marquise Hill
Jimmy_gjere_medium

Position: Athlete (likely WR)

Measurables: 6-0 / 165 / 4.49

Videos: [sophomore highlights]

Rankings:
- Rivals: #85 ATH, (3*)
- Scout: #141 WR
- ESPN: #95 ATH

Notes:
St. Louis product who could be a real playmaker. Like most of this class, very little is expected in the 2010 season especially with guys like Troy Stoudermire and Bryant Allen ahead of Hill on the depth chart. But a fast, play-making WR is always a nice addition. Hill had offers from several other major BCS schools.

Willie Tatum

Willie_tatum_medium

Position: LB

Measurables: 6-3 / 205 / 4.58

Videos: none found

Rankings:
- Rivals: #NR (3*)
- Scout: #150 LB
- ESPN: #74 LB

Notes: The Pickering, Ohio native had a great senior season which, according to Rivals, led to several BCS schools coming on strong for Tatum. But fortunately the fast linebacker stuck with his commitment. Natural pass rusher, very quick first step, needs to add bulk. Could be very well suited to be the next in line of the Simoni Lawrence, Keanon Cooper lineage.

Marek Lenkiewicz
Marek_lenkiewcz_medium

Position: OT

Measurables: 6-5 / 240

Videos: [1]

Rankings:
- Rivals: #76 OT (3*)
- Scout: #62 OT
- ESPN: #96 OT

Notes:
Has ideal height, needs to add bulk. But Lenkiewicz is an agressive lineman with very good feet. I'd be shocked if he didn't redshirt, but projects as a potential starter as an upper-classman. The RT bookend with Gjere for a few seasons.

Matt Eggen

Matt_eggen_medium

Position: OL (probably Tackle)

Measurables: 6-5 / 290

Videos: [1]

Rankings:
- Rivals: #53 RB (3*)
- Scout: #96 OT
- ESPN: #73 OT

Notes: LaCrosse native who fits the mold of the taller and longer athletes that dominate this 2010 class. Eggen is also a virtual certainty to redshirt and will get his chance to compete down the road. Eggen played defensive line as well in high school but is considered to be an offensive lineman in college.

Zach Epping

Zach_epping_medium

Position: OL (likely a Guard)

Measurables: 6-2 / 274

Videos: [1]

Rankings:
- Rivals: #NR (3*)
- Scout: #112 DT
- ESPN: #122 OG

Notes: Like Eggen, Epping plays both ways. Another Wisconsin lineman who will redshirt and then get his chance to compete beginning in 2011. This is a class heavy along the offensive line but Epping projects at G or C while most of the others are likely tackles.

J.D. Pride
Jimmy_gjere_medium

Position: ATH (DB or WR or ??)

Measurables: 6-1 / 190/ 4.52

Videos: none found

Rankings:
- Rivals: #NR ATH (2*)
- Scout: #NR QB
- ESPN: #243 ATH

Notes: Pride was a QB in high school but will end up playing another position in college. Another virtual certainty to redshirt as he learns the details of playing defensive back. Pride is related to the Barber family.

Up next will the 11 players from outside the Midwest.