Minnesota Gophers Defensive Players Receive Pre-season Honors
The Gophers finished fourth in points allowed last season, so it’s no surprise to see several defensive players receiving pre-season recognition from the media. With Jordan Howden, Terell Smith, and Thomas Rush moving on to the NFL, the Gophers will rely on new defensive starters to step in and step up. The Gopher special teamers have also received attention from the media covering the Big Ten and FBS football.
Here’s a look at the Gopher Football preseason honors for the defense and special team players.
Tyler Nubin
Nubin was named All-Big Ten Second Team in 2022 and enters the 2023 season as one of the top safeties in the country and a future NFL draft pick. The fifth-year senior is an experienced player with a reputation as a smart, physical safety with excellent ball skills. Nubin was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, given to the National Defensive Player of the Year.
Preseason Honors:
- Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
- Third Team All-American (Phil Steele)
- Big Ten Safety of the Year (College Football Network)
- First Team All-Big Ten (College Football Network, Phil Steele, Sports Information Systems)
- Second Team All-Big Ten (Athlon Sports, Pro Football Focus)
Justin Walley
Walley started at cornerback for 13 games last season, his first full season as a starter. Last season as a sophomore, Walley had 39 tackles, three interceptions, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. New defensive backs coach Nick Monroe will be tasked with helping Walley develop into a top-tier Big Ten cornerback.
Preseason Honors:
- First Team All-Big Ten (Sports Information Systems)
- Second Team All-Big Ten (Pro Football Focus)
- Third Team All-Big Ten (Athlon Sports, College Football Network)
Jalen Logan-Redding
Logan-Redding started 12 games for the Gophers last season at the strong-side defensive end position. He recorded 18 tackles, including ten solo tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack, and improved in the second half of the season. Logan-Redding will play a lot of snaps this season but needs to convert more quarterback pressures into quarterback sacks to be considered for postseason All-Big Ten honors.
Preseason Honors:
- Fourth Team All-Big Ten: Athlon
Quentin Redding
Last season, Redding contributed to the Gophers as a dynamic kick and punt return specialist. He returned 13 punts with an average of six yards per return and 20 kickoffs, averaging 25.4 yards per return. His season highlights included a 92-yard kickoff return against Illinois and a 72-yard return against Syracuse.
Preseason Honors:
- Second Team All-Big Ten – Kick Returner (College Football Network)
- Second Team All-Big Ten – Punt Returner (Phil Steele)
- Third Team All-Big Ten – Kick Returner (Athlon Sports)
- Fourth Team All-Big Ten – Kick Returner (Phil Steele)
Brady Weeks
There is a good chance that even die-hard Gopher fans aren’t familiar with Weeks, who is the Gophers’ long snapper. Weeks has already played in 46 games, making him one of the most tenured (and underappreciated) Gopher football players. Weeks has been named to the Patrick Mannelly Award Watch List, which is awarded to the top long snapper in the FBS.
Preseason Honors:
- Patrick Mannelly Award
- Fourth Team All-Big Ten: Phil Steele
Dragan Kesich
The Gopher kick-off specialist is among the nation’s leaders in touchbacks, with a success rate of 83.1% and an average kick-off distance of 64.6 yards. Highlights from last season include the New Mexico State game when Kesich kicked off seven times and achieved seven touchbacks. Kesich is a different maker for the Gophers and has received recognition for his accomplishments.
Preseason Honors:
- First Team All-Big Ten (College Football Network)
An up-to-date list of Gopher football preseason honors is available here.
https://gophersports.com/sports/2023/7/31/awards-watch-list-2023
Photo Courtesy: Nikos Frazier / Journal & Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK
