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The past couple seasons the Gophers have made huge strides in rebuilding the program to Big Ten respectability. Much of the on-the-field success has been attributed to the improved play by the defense. Certainly having players the caliber of Ra'Shede Hageman and Brock Vereen has helped, but each of the Kill recruiting classes have added key players who have been significant contributors as well as added vitally important depth.
This year's defensive class does not, on the surface, appear to have any budding stars or at least any tremendously exciting players. But I do fully expect that this is another class of guys who will provide quality depth (something not to be overlooked or undervalued). Then of course there is always the belief that this staff has identified kids who will contribute and become very good Gophers in spite of their lower recruiting ranking; see Eric Murray.
Let's meet this year's defensive class!
| LB - CODY POOCK (JUCO) | |
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VITALS
Videos: [Freshman Year at IWCC] RANKINGS Other BCS Offers: Illinois TWITTER - @codyallenpoock
NOTES: Poock was a full-qualifier out of high school who went the JUCO route to gain himself better scholarship offers. This means that he has played just one year of ball at Iowa Western and will have three years of eligibility at Minnesota. He led his JUCO team in tackles. Matt, in his Scroll of the Sworn, believes that Poock will come in and compete on the weakside, moving DeVondre Campbell over to the strongside. Poock very well may have the most immediate impact out of this defensive class and will have the opportunity to play right away, filling in the holes left by James Manuel and Aaron Hill in the linebacking corp. He is already signed, enrolled in class and will be participating in Spring Practice. Here is the expected class of 2014 on the defensive side of the ball for your Golden Gophers. |
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| DE - JULIEN KAFO | |
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VITALS
Videos: [Senior Year] RANKINGS Other BCS Offers: Nebraska, Iowa, Pittsburgh, Purdue TWITTER - @JPKafo44
NOTES: Kafo camped at Minnesota over the summer and that is where he earned his offer. The first thing that jumps out is Kafo's size at 6-4 and 245 lbs as an incoming true freshman. Next is the fact that he is very raw and will need some developmental time.
There is time to develop as the defensive line is fairly deep at the moment. I fully expect that Kafo will redshirt and have the opportunity to contribute down the road. |
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| DT - ANDREW STELTER | |
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VITALS
Videos: [Senior Year] RANKINGS Other BCS Offers: Iowa St, Duke, Harvard, Yale, Princeton TWITTER - @Steltz78
NOTES: A DE in high school and listed as such by most recruiting services, but Stelter is expected to come to the Gophers as a DT. Strength, athleticism and toughness are common compliments for Stelter when reading various scouting reports.
The top defensive prospect in the state and Stelter was a valuable get both in terms of adding value but also for keeping the local kids home. |
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| DT - STEVEN RICHARDSON | |
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VITALS
Videos: [Interview following Minnesota verbal] RANKINGS Other BCS Offers: Northern Illinois, Western Michigan TWITTER - @mteam_srich
NOTES: Matt pointed out that this is exactly the "type" of DT that this staff has brought in in the past and likely will continue to bring in. Tough kid, strong kid and appears to be a good football player who is just lacking the ideal measurables. This eval prior to a Rivals camp last May.
As a senior, Richardson notched 34 TFLs and 17 sacks playing along side Enoch Smith (4-star Michigan St commit). ESPN eval.
Good addition, good depth and a productive football player from a good high school program. |
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| CB - CRAIG JAMES | |
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VITALS
Videos: [Junior Year Highlights] RANKINGS Other BCS Offers: Indiana, Kansas, Iowa, Iowa St, Missouri, Syracuse TWITTER - @1ofGodsoldiers
NOTES: James is another kid in this class that is probably just an inch of height away from being a much more highly sought after commodity. As it stands, he is a very good cover corner who possesses very good speed.
I have been waiting for weeks for his commitment and thrilled to have him as a Golden Gopher. Redshirting is a possibility but this is also another position that is on the thin side. This staff is not shy about playing true freshmen and if he shows that he can help us on the field, you know he'll be there. James has very good speed which may also be displayed in special teams. |
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| LB - EVERETT WILLIAMS | |
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VITALS
Videos: [Senior Year Highlights] RANKINGS Other BCS Offers: Navy, New Mexico State TWITTER - @Everett2Dreaded
NOTES: Williams was offered early by this staff and they never wavered in spite of the fact that other schools never came calling for Williams. Expect that Williams will be a redshirt candidate who may contribute later in his career. Appears to be of good character as well has good academic marks. |
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| LB - JONATHAN CELESTINE | |
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Videos: [QB hit by Celestine] RANKINGS Other BCS Offers: none TWITTER - @JonC_4
NOTES: Teammate of RB commit, Rodney Smith. Celestine was a very late offer and he quickly accepted.
I'll be shocked if he does not redshirt in 2014. |
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| DT - Gary Moore | |
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VITALS
Videos: [video] RANKINGS Other BCS Offers: Southern Mississippi commit who flipped to Minnesota TWITTER - none that I could find.
NOTES: Strong kid with a quick first step but will certainly need time to get better. A redshirt year is in his future but a kid with good size and strength can hopefully be taught to be a strong contributor later in his career. |
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That is a short list but this is the defensive class of 2014.
Also not to be fully ignored is the list of preferred walk-ons in this class. These kids will most likely never be contributors outside of maybe special teams. But there are a couple key contributors on the current roster who came to the Gopher program as a walk-on. So this year's preferred walk-on class.
- Davis Anderson - DB - Apple Valle
- Blake Weber - LB - Prior Lake
- Nick Leach - ATH - East Ridge
- Payton Jordahl - LS - Perham
- Emmit Carpenter - K - Ashwaubenon (WI)
- Logan McElfresh - P - Brainerd
