The Minnesota Golden Gophers football lineup was in constant flux due to injuries during the 2014-15 season. This surely contributed to losses in a handful of close games and a disappointing 6-6 regular season record. That could prove to have been a blessing in disguise though, as some of last year’s backups move into starting roles having gained valuable experience.
Top to Bottom: The Gophers Football Lineup
Gophers Offence
One position with few if any question marks is quarterback. Senior Mitch Leidner is a wily veteran who threw for 2,701 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago. Fans should hope for some games to go into garbage time in order to get a look at sophomore Demry Croft, presumably the starter in 2017. As for Leidner’s targets, there are some question marks there as well. Drew Wolitarsky is the only returning receiver with significant numbers in previous seasons. Junior tight end Brandon Lingen had a breakout season in 2015 with 33 catches and three scores, and fellow junior Nate Wozniak is an enormous target at 6’10”.
On the ground, sophomores Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith are a solid duo. No worries there. Sophomore center Tyler Moore is one of the players for whom last year’s baptism by fire could pay off. Moore was thrown into the mix early on in his freshman season and performed admirably. An off-season in the weight room and another fall camp can only help him. Senior Jonah Pirsig and junior Connor Mayes return at right tackle and left guard, and two well-regarded junior college transfers will likely fill the open slots on the line.
Gophers Defense
The defense has lost five starters, but it’s on this side of the ball that last year’s injuries could really prove to have been a blessing in disguise. Up front, Steven Richardson is healthy, and Gaelin Elmore will likely move into a starting role at tackle. He gained valuable experience late last season. Andrew Stelter is another defender who saw more playing time than expected last season as the injury bug hit. Linebackers Cody Poock and Jack Lynn played well last year, and are joined by Jonathan Celestin, another player who didn’t start but played quite a bit a year ago. Keep an eye on sophomore Julian Huff also; he played extremely well in spot duty as a freshman. This is probably the strongest and deepest position for the Gophers.
The secondary that took a big hit in the off-season, losing both Eric Murray and Briean Boddy-Calhoun to the NFL. Senior corner Jalen Myrick is expected to be the leader of the unit; Adekunle Ayinde is the only other returning starter on the two-deep. Sophomore KiAnte Hardin showed flashes a year ago and will be expected to contribute both in the backfield and as a return man.
Special Teams
Questions abound on special teams. The Gophers need to replace punter Peter Mortell, arguably the best in school history. His likely replacement? Kicker Ryan Santoso, who hit 17 of 21 field goal attempts a year ago, as well as all 31 PATs. However, head coach Tracy Claeys isn’t crazy about the idea of having one player handle both duties. Enter sophomore Emmit Carpenter. While still a ways out from fall camp, it appears Carpenter will kick; Santoso, who has a huge leg, will punt and possibly handle longer field goal attempts. Jalen Myrick and KiAnte Hardin will presumably continue to handle return duties.
So there you have it. The receiving corps, the secondary, and the special teams are the units to keep an eye on as fall camp gets underway. Quarterback play, if anything happens to Leidner, is another question mark.
I won’t make any predictions about the record yet- you’ll have to stay tuned for that- but I do think this is a stronger team than a year ago, provided that they can stay reasonably healthy.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 11: Mitch Leidner #7 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter of the game on October 11, 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Wildcats 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
