I've updated my list of former Gophers who are currently playing college football for the 2010 season. The original post was quite popular, so I've updated the list and the notes of interest.
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 school names to view their player profile pages on the websites of their current teams:
Name | P | School | Yr | Notes |
Kevin Whaley | RB | Tennessee Martin | ? | Nowhere to be found, quit the team |
Tim Dandridge | DB | Jackson State | Jr | 26 tackles, 3 interceptions, and a touchdown. A feature article at this link. |
Sam Maresh | LB | Iowa Western Community College | Fr | 38 tackles through 5 games |
Marquise Hill | WR | Iowa Western Community College | Fr | 142 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns |
Terrell Combs | DT | Kentucky | So | Sitting out for a redshirt year |
Brodrick Smith | WR | Kansas State | So | Kansas State's leading receiver with 191 yards and 3 TD |
Hasan Lipscomb | RB | ??? | ? | Last year was enrolled at Blinn College, this year is no longer listed on the roster. |
Roszell Gayden | OT | Auburn | Jr | Third string offensive tackle at Auburn |
Clint Brewster | QB | Tennessee Tech | Jr | Backup quarterback at Tennessee Tech |
Ralph Spry | WR | Auburn | Jr | No statistics this season |
Tray Herndon | WR | Vanderbilt | Jr | Two receptions for 18 yards |
Willie Dyson | DL | Northwest Missouri State | Jr | 5 tackles in three games |
Justin Chatman | DB | ? | ? | LAst year on the North Texas squad, no longer listed on the roster |
Curtis James | OL | Saint Thomas | So | Sophomore at St. Thomas University |
Shane Potter | LB/DB | South Dakota | Sr | Defeated his former team as a member of the Yotes defense |
Three games into the 2010 season, a few of these former Gophers are missed. Tim Dandridge would have been a helpful addition at safety, Sam Maresh may have helped the linebacker corps, and Brodrick Smith would have been a nice target at wide receiver.
Last Spring, I would have predicted Kevin Whaley to be the most detrimental loss. Duane Bennett and Donnell Kirkwood have picked up the pace at running back, and Whaley is not so sorely missed.
Overall, there aren't very many standout players on this list besides Brodrick Smith of Kansas State. Yet, collectively these players would have added depth to the Gopher squad.