I honestly can’t remember where I came up with the idea for this, but I definitely stole it from someone. So good job to whoever you are for suggesting this as an idea.
I see this idea was done in 2010. Good job Gophernation on the post.
Putting this together took considerably longer than I thought so today is just the offense. Seems obvious but I’m defining the decade as between 2000 and 2009. In that case what to do about Adam Weber’s 2010 season? I don’t care, do what you want. But it seems foolish to ignore his record setting final year. In positions with multiple options I’ll throw out the top two or three and let you decide the starter.
Offense
Quarterbacks
- Asad Abdul-Khaliq (2000-2004) completed 481-of-847 career passes for 6,660 yards and 55 touchdowns in 46 games. He added 1,158 yards and 16 touchdowns rushing.
- Adam Weber (2007-2010) Big Ten All-Freshman: 2007 most career passing yards in school history (10,917) most passing yards in a single season in school history (2,895): 2007, most career passing touchdowns in school history (72), most passing touchdowns in a single season in school history (24): 2007.
Running Backs
- Marion Barber III (2000-2004) ranks fourth on the school’s all-time rushing list with 3,276 yards, second with 4,495 all-purpose yards and second in rushing touchdowns with 35.
- Laurence Maroney (2003-2005) started only 14 of 36 games, but still became the first Golden Gopher and the third in Big Ten Conference history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. He gained a total of 3,933 yards
Others receiving consideration: Thomas Tapeh (2000-2003) 24 career TDs, Gary Russell (2004-2006) basically only played in 2005, oh what could have been, Duane Bennet (2007-2011) 2,126 career rushing yards, which ranks him 13th all-time in Minnesota history.
Wide Receivers
- Eric Decker (2006-2009) Leads the program with career receptions (career and single season), and career yards.
- Ernie Wheelwright (2004-2007) tied the school record for most consecutive games with a touchdown at a total of seven in 2006-2007. Wheelwright is third on the Gophers’ all-time list for career receptions and career receiving yards.
- Ron Johnson (1998-2001) second in program history in career receptions, and in 2000 his 1125 receiving yards was a school record until Tyler Johnson broke it.
Others receiving consideration: Da’Jon McKnight (2008-2011) I have a framed photo of him.
Tight Ends
- Ben Utecht (2000-2004) started 35 of 44 games.
- Matt Spaeth (2003-2006) in 2006 named a First Team All American.
Offensive Line
- Adam Haayer (1996-2000), played OT. Not gonna lie I don’t know much about Adam, but he got drafted in 2001 so he must be good.
- Ben Hamilton (1996-2000) played G. two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in 1999 and 2000.[1]
- Mark Setterstrom (2001-2005) played G. Two-time First-team All-Big Ten selection (2004–2005), a Second-team All-American(2005) and an All-American selection by Rivals.com in 2004
- Greg Eslinger (2002-2005) just crazy good.
Others receiving consideration: Ed Olson, Matt Carufel, Jeff Tow-Arnett, Tony Brinkhaus, Dominic Alford.
Takeaways
Despite having some obvious top choices, things fall off pretty quickly. But man its fun to think about guys like Asad Abdul-Khaliq, Greg Eslinger, and Da’Jon. Also early on the in decade seems to have more players, which I guess just strengthens the argument that Adam Weber could have really been somebody if he had more weapons.