Minnesota Gopher Football

The 2015 Gopher defense will be the best it has been in more than 20 years.  Mark my words. It will improve on takeaways (24), passing defense (141) and points allowed (24.15) this coming season. It would be nice if the run defense could get under the 200-yard mark, too. That will be tougher. All three segments of the defense look to be improved. Despite playing probably the top two ranked teams in the nation in TCU and Ohio State in 2015, Minnesota’s defense should shine due to experienced and able linebacking and secondary play. The linebacker position, despite only one signed in the 2014 recruiting class, looks strong for the Gophers in 2015. We have starters Jack Lynn, Nick Rallis and Devondre Campbell back.  Rallis went down early last season with a knee injury but will return and probably be given sophomore status.  Lynn will be a junior.  Campbell is 6-5, 241 and the longest armed linebacker in the BIG.  He could have a really special se...

Rivals.com lists Minnesota as the 8th best team in the BIG in football recruiting rankings for 2014.  The Gophers were led by strong additions to the defensive secondary and offensive line.  Each will lose a decent number of starters after the 2015 season. Coach Jerry Kill was probably most impressed with getting Demry Croft, an all-purpose quarterback from Rockford, Illinios.  Croft is 6-5 and a great passer who can run as well.  He should challenge for the starting job by 2016. Another  key addition is Jonathon Femi-Cole, a 5-11, 215-pound running back from Canada.  Folks there liken him to the next Adrian Peterson. He is built and looks the part of a BIG running back already just coming into Minnesota. Saftey Dior Johnson was the only four-star recruit the Gophers picked up.  He looks to play safety and might contribute right away.  The Gophers added a pair of defensive lineman, the one area they really need to shore up in 2015. Overall...