Much has been written and said recently about Cretin-Derham Hall high school all-state wide receiver Michael Floyd and his potential college choice. Conflicting information has left most everyone unsure as to whether Floyd includes the University of Minnesota among his top possibilities.
Perhaps not even Floyd knows, for he is only a teenager and a young man who must learn day by day. Ohio State may dazzle one morning, Notre Dame another.
No doubt the Gophers badly want Floyd, the state’s biggest recruiting prize in 2008. He is an extraordinary receiver who fits perfectly into Minnesota’s new pass priority offense.
Understand, though, the Gophers are going to recruit successfully with or without Floyd who last year was a USA Today all-American. Head coach Tim Brewster’s recruiting resume as a college assistant coach includes the likes of Julius Peppers and Vince Young, legendary college players from North Carolina and Texas. Brewster is 24-7 about recruiting and he hired much of his coaching staff to follow in his footsteps. You better believe that his highly compensated staff is expected to deliver results and that those assistants are already meeting benchmarks.
The Gophers are likely to land a top 20 or 30 national class in 2008. Beyond that they are already targeting recruits for 2009. Many of the very best players in the country require time to bring on board. And to fill pressing needs the Gophers just might land one or more junior college stars.
Twenty-five years ago it was controversial for a top in-state prospect to attend a school other than Minnesota. Intense affection and loyalty to the Gophers was the norm in many homes and high schools. Times and values have changed, although Sam Maresh is an exception, a throw back kid. The Champlin Park High School linebacker gave the Gophers a verbal commitment last spring and pledged to recruit others for the class of 2008.
Maresh is a four-star recruit on rivals.com’s five star system. Go to rivals.com and see the best prep prospects ranked state by state. In the Texas rankings find Eric Lair, a receiver from Houston, who has made a verbal commitment to the Gophers even though he had offers from Oklahoma and Nebraska. Search various states and find Minnesota listed among potential college choices of outstanding prospects.
Over the last 15 years the Gophers have often seen the state’s best prep players go elsewhere. Chris Weinke, Larry Fitzgerald, Dominic Byrd, James Laurinaitis, John Carlson, Rafael Eubanks and others scattered south, east and west. It will take a few years but that kind of blue chip migration will be slowing, perhaps stopping. Then combine the best of Minnesota preps with outstanding players from elsewhere and you understand the Brewster formula for future success.
And don’t be surprised at all if Floyd stays home and takes the lead in starting a new recruiting trend in Minnesota.