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We knew this was going to be a small recruiting class and was the offensive side of the ball that received the fewest additions. This seems to make some sense right? in 2013 our starting lineup should look something like this...
- QB - sophomore
- RB - sophomore and junior
- WR - freshman (med RS), sophomore, junior
- TE - junior, sophomore, RS-freshman
- OT - senior, sophomore
- OG - junior, sophomore, junior
- OC - junior
Notice very few seniors who will potentially be starting next year. The offense you saw in 2012 is the one you will mostly see in 2013 which is also the one you will mostly see in 2014. So offense wasn't a huge priority, at least in quantity. Let's take a look at your 2013 Gopher recruiting class on the offensive side of the ball.
Eric Carter |
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Position: WR Measurables: 5-10 / 175 / 40-time 4.57 Videos: [2011 Highlights] [2012 Highlights] Scroll of the Sworn: back in October at FBT BCS Offers: Cincinnati, Iowa St, Missouri, Purdue Rankings: Notes: Lakeland, Florida native who caught 15 touchdowns and amassed over 1,600 yards in his final two seasons of high school ball. Part of FBT's SotS evaluation (you'll have to forgive the AJ Barker reference).
And ESPN's eval has this to say.
Carter is a nice receiver pickup. Not the biggest target on the field an apparently does not have speed that will pull away from defensive backs. But we need guys who can create separation, get open and catch balls. Welcome to Gopher Nation Mr. Carter. |
Chris Streveler |
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Position: QB Measurables: 6-3 / 190 / Videos: [2011 Highlights] [2012 touchdown pass] [2012 touchdown run] Scroll of the Sworn: LINK BCS Offers: none Rankings: Notes: The yearly QB commit and I'm looking forward to Streveler getting the opportunity to lead the Gophers. Sometimes it is just about the tools and sometimes it is about the intangibles as well. According to Marian Central Catholic head football coach Ed Brucker, Streveler has all the tools needed to be a quality Big Ten quarterback including his leadership abilities. "I have been coaching for around 40 years and in all of those years Chris is the best leader I have ever had the chance to work with," Brucker said. "He does it the right way and is a great kid to be around. On top of that he is just an outstanding person and is always positive." Brucker also had this to say in the Chicago Tribune, "The team just believes in him," Brucker said. "His leadership ability, he has the charisma, the 'it factor,' and everybody just follows him." More local coverage of Streveler reveals how he overhauled his mechanics and attitude between his junior and senior season. (GOOD ARTICLE HERE)
Streveler was 1st team all-state in class 5A and lead his team to an 11-1 record and a 2-seed in the Illinois state playoffs. I am really looking forward to Streveler in a Gopher uniform. I would assume with Nelson and Leidner on the depth chart already, he will redshirt. But considering we have used a true freshman in two straight seasons, I'm not willing to state with any confidence that his redshirt is a lock. |
Alex Mayes |
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Position: OT Measurables: 6-5 - 6-6 / 275-285 Videos: [2011 Highlights] [2012 Highlights] Scroll of the Sworn: LINK BCS Offers: Colorado, Kansas, Kansas St Rankings: Notes: The only offensive lineman in this recruiting class, largely because we didn't lose any linemen to graduation/defection so there is little need for linemen in this class. But Mayes is a very nice pick-up that may payoff two-fold if his brother Conner picks the Gophers next year. Mayes earned HM 2A all-state honors. FBT Analysis...
ESPN Eval...
Another very nice pick-up for Kill and staff. Mayes is almost a certainty to redshirt, I'd bet anything on it. But he should be maturing at precisely the time there are openings along the offensive line for a technically sound tackle. |
Berkley Edwards |
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Position: RB Measurables: 5-9 / 185 / 40-time 4.39 Videos: [Junior Highlights] [2012 mid-season highlights] Scroll of the Sworn: none, but GoAUpher posted something BCS Offers: Cal, Iowa (later pulled) Rankings: Notes: This is the highest profile recruit of the 2013 class, partly because he is the brother of Braylon Edwards and partly because it was a relatively fierce battle with Iowa and Cal to obtain his verbal commitment (now signed letter of intent). ESPN eval...
As a senior Edwards rushed for 1,329 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was also named to the AP Div 3-4 All-State team in 2012 and earned Ann Arbor.com's 2011 Dream Team honors (for whatever that is worth). We are happy to have the younger Edwards, even if Michigan didn't want him. |
Drew Wolitarsky |
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Position: WR Measurables: 6-3 / 215 / 40-time 4.67 Videos: [2011 Highlights] [The catch to break California state record for Rec Yards] [commitment video and interview] Scroll of the Sworn: LINK BCS Offers: none Rankings: Notes: California's prep record holder for receptions and receiving yards. The big, possession receiver is going to be a very nice fit in the Gopher offense. Matt's eval in SotS...
Some from his ESPN eval...
Another receiver known more for the ability to get open than his ability to break free from the secondary. I am excited about this commitment and I think Wolitarsky will be a big target who gets open and more importantly will be a reliable receiver for Nelson. |
Ryan Santoso |
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Position: K Measurables: 6-5 / 270 Videos: he's a kicker, he kicks Scroll of the Sworn: LINK BCS Offers: Rankings: Notes: We have a kicker on scholarship! Santoso was able to earn himself a trip to the Under Armour All-American game where he nailed a 44-yard FG but missed two others. Made FG is below. A big kid for the position but if he can make FGs then his size is really irrelevant. He earned a 5-star rating in kicking and punting from the Kohl's Kicking camp. |
Nate Wozniak |
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Position: TE Measurables: 6-10 / 255 / 40-time N/A Videos: [2011 Highlights] Scroll of the Sworn: LINK BCS Offers: Miami, Purdue, Indiana, Cincinnati, Maryland, Iowa State Rankings:- Rivals: ![]() ![]() ![]() - ESPN: ![]() ![]() ![]()
Notes: Virtually everyone who looked at Wozniak viewed him as a future offensive tackle. As such, his ESPN eval reflects his potential at that position.
Nate, however, wanted to play tight end in college and would only consider offers from schools pursuing him at that spot, ultimately picking the Gophers over the Canes and Boilers. Credit goes to Coach Phelps for stealing Wozniak out from underneath Miami and Purdue. |
Not a very big group of offensive players but hopefully there are some impactful names above. Berkely Edwards could be a guy who plays right away. Kill has shown the willingness to play true freshman at all skill positions so I wouldn't count out Wolitarsky or Carter from playing either. Prior to researching and writing this I wasn't too thrilled with Streveler, but now I am convinced that he will be a major contributor at some point. I'm most excited about Edwards, Streveler and Mayes amongst the offensive commitments.
On top of the names listed above who are getting scholarships the staff has worked pretty hard to secure a number of "preferred walk-ons." These are kids who the staff wants on the roster as ones who may eventually play or at the very least are going to add some higher caliber depth. PWOs that I am aware of include...
- Micheal Conway - QB/DB - LaCrosse, WI - offer from NDSU
- Chandler Wright - OL - Wayzata, MN - no other offers
- Matt Leidner - OL - Lakeville, MN - brother of Mitch
- Jeff Borchardt - WR - Wayzata, MN - no other offers
- Nick Hart - TE - Prior Lake, MN - no other offers
- Chad Fahning - OT - De La Salle HS, MN - offers from Columbia, W Mich, E Mich, North Dakota, UNI, Penn, SDSU and Montana St
- Conor Rhoda - QB - Cretin Derham Hall - North Dakota offer
The defensive commitments will be posted soon.