Good times in Minnesota. Twins get destroyed (again) last night, and we wake up to a couple of inches of snow on the ground. And it's STILL snowing as I type this. It IS April 20, right? Hopefully some Nugz can improve your morning...
Good article from the PP's Marcus Fuller on the top football recruit in the state, Jonah Pirsig. The mammoth offensive tackle from up in Blue Earth is already receiving more buzz than past top line recruits like the Olson boys or Jimmy Gjere, and should be one of the top linemen available in the country. The big fella will be at the spring game Saturday, and he sounds excited to see coach Kill in action. I think I speak for all of Gopher Nation or Gold Country or whatever we're calling Gopher football fans these days, when I say we'd all be VERY excited to see Jonah in action for the Maroon and Gold in 2012.
A suprise name is getting first team reps at right tackle while Jimmy Gjere is out with a concussion. At the very bottom of that same article is a note from Coach Kill that we won't see Da'Jon McKnight or Eric Lair again this spring, as both are going to sit the last week of practice to rest their ailments.
In other practice notes, Troy Stoudermire continues to play like a man possessed. Troy had some big hits during live contact drills, and I can't wait to see him do this to another team. Gary Tinsley practiced exclusively at middle linebacker, but remains #2 on the depth chart there behind Brendon Beal. Coach Claeys said Tinsley needs to make up for time and reps missed while he's been banged up the past couple of weeks but it doesn't mean he won't play this fall. Sounds like both Beal and Tinsley will play plenty if they're ready: "Both guys will play all they can handle. We're going to need as many guys as we can get." Again, that's a good problem to have, and shows how much confidence Claeys has in his other candidates to start outside like Keanon Cooper and Mike Rallis.
Once again, the defense outplayed the offense at yesterday's practice.
FBT has a post-practice video Q&A and some practice notes.
Derek Wetmore of the MNDaily profiles sophomore Gopher hurler TJ Oakes.
Senior-to-be Taylor Matson has been named the Gopher Hockey captain for the 2011-12 season.