P.J. FLECK – Page 19 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Football Gophers Make Merry with 2024 Recruiting Class

Posted on December 20, 2023December 25, 2023 by David Shama

The Golden Gophers football program today announced what could turn out to be the best recruiting class of the P.J. Fleck era that began in 2017. The 24-man class has that potential and breathes positivity into a program that experienced a disappointing 5-7 record last fall and saw the December departure of elite defensive coordinator Joe Rossi for Michigan State.

Minnesota signed to National Letters of Intent the No. 1 rated players in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin—a program rarity. Safety Koi Perich from Esko, Minnesota got a heavy recruiting rush from Ohio State this month but the state’s top ranked player by the 247Sports composite rankings chose the Gophers.

Perich is a superb athlete with a fluid running style and other skills that raise expectations he could follow in the steps of Minnesota All-American safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. (2019) and Tyler Nubin (2023). Fleck and assistant coach Danny Collins prioritized Perich for a couple of years. Fleck and previous Gopher coaches have been spurned too many times in the past by the state’s No. 1 recruit so today was a win worth celebrating.

Perich may have the potential to one day make a living playing football on Sundays. The same may work out for Wisconsin’s No. 1 player, offensive tackle Nathan Roy, and North Dakota’s No. 1, defensive lineman Riley Sunram. All three are four-stars, per 247Sports.

Perich, Roy and Sunram, along with Kansas offensive lineman Brett Carroll, have invitations to the prestigious All-American Bowl in San Antonio January 6. That’s the first time in the Fleck era four Gopher recruits have been invited to the game formerly known as the Army All-American Bowl, which showcases many of the best prep seniors in the country.

High school recruits who signed today include six Minnesota natives. None may have as much maroon and gold DNA as Detroit Lakes linebacker Mason Carrier. His brother Ethan, a defensive back, is already on the roster and Mason posted this on X a few days ago:

“…We would rather MAKE a better team than FIND a better team. Thanks coaches and those loving and loyal to MN. I am Mason Carrier. Get used to the name.”

The 2024 recruiting class is vital to future success and could prove historic to Gopher football. Minnesota was coming off nine wins or more in 2019, 2021 and 2022 before this season’s fall. Fleck wants a return to the norm and even better results in the future where rewards could include entry into the 12-team college football playoff coming in 2024-2025.

This class and the ones that follow need to provide talent and depth. The Gophers struggled last season when they ran out of both, including at linebacker and running back. Inconsistent quarterback play from Athan Kaliakmanis was a problem, too, and he left the program recently. Don’t be surprised if his transfer process leads him to Rutgers.

QB is the most important position for Big Ten football teams. Fleck’s signings aimed at delivering results this fall and into the future. It all starts with New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer, probably one of the top 10 quarterbacks available in the transfer portal. Brosmer was nearly flawless at times playing for the FCS Wildcats. The Gophers expect big things from him in accuracy, pocket presence, decision making and leadership.

Fresno State transfer Logan Fife is an experienced quarterback who has been both a key reserve and starter. He will have two seasons of eligibility and his presence will be reassuring if Brosmer misses time because of injury.

Freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey comes from a family with Arkansas Razorback roots. At about 6-6, the three-star Lindsey, whose grandfather Jim Lindsey played for the Vikings, will have no issues seeing receivers from the pocket and he could be the starter in two years.

It might be that the Gophers have more work to do in the recruitment of pass catchers between now and next summer, particularly targeting a wide out. Dropped passes and failure to get open bugged the wide receivers and tight ends last season. It’s been an issue for wide receivers dating back to 2019 when Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson were both named first team All-Big Ten.

The 2024 class includes two wide receivers and two tight ends. Among the promising preps is Mankato West’s Jalen Smith. He only had one other Power Five offer (Iowa State), per 247Sports, but he could be a sleeper in this class.

With 19 high school players and five college transfers, the Gophers rank No. 37 among recruiting classes across the country, according to 247. For a program that still doesn’t have the Name, Image and Likeness money of many other programs, and doesn’t cheat in recruiting like the blue-bloods and others allegedly do, that’s impressive.

The Gophers leave for Detroit and the Quick Lane Bowl on Friday in preparation for their day after Christmas game. After losing their final regular season game against Wisconsin, there is a want among the players to get a W for the seniors in their last go round.

Among the seniors is quarterback Cole Kramer who will make his first college career start. He is the ultimate loyalist who has stayed with the program through minimal playing time and changes in offensive coordinators.

Gopher linebacker Cody Lindenberg said Kramer never complained, just “put his head down and worked.” Lindenberg described it as “awesome” to see the former Eden Prairie star get his opportunity.

Kramer said “it means the world” to be leading the Gophers in the bowl game. He is an ultimate legacy player with his grandfather Tom Moe, uncle Bob Coughlin and cousin Carter Coughlin all being former Gophers.

Grandpa Moe began the legacy playing for the Gophers in the 1950s and was named team MVP in 1959, but he likely won’t be attending the bowl game. “I don’t think he’s going to make it,” Cole said. “He’s going through some things right now. But my dad’s side…my grandma and grandpa will be there. My fiancé and her family will be there, and my mom and my dad and my brother will be there as well.”

The Gophers are about a 4-point favorite to defeat Bowling Green, a team with a 7-5 record that closed fast winning five of its last six games. Fleck is 4-0 in bowl games but his struggling offense (averaged 20.2 points) and defense (uncharacteristic 26.2 points) need to show up with improved play.

The optics are such that the Gophers, playing against a non-Power Five team, must not only win but be impressive doing it. That will add to the juice of positivity created by today’s signing day and maybe ease the sting of losing coordinator Joe Rossi.

Rossi had more credibility than any assistant coach in the Fleck era. Fans and players had watched him turn Minnesota’s defense around in 2019 and beyond, with his units excelling in top 10 categories nationally. Last fall wasn’t Rossi-like but no one questioned his coaching chops even then.

The players referred to Rossi as a “guru” and it’s a painful departure that surprised them. Lindenberg and others felt they were blessed to play for a man with so much wisdom who also cared deeply about them. “…Yeah, just a lot to be grateful for that he’s been able to teach me,” Lindenberg said.

Why did Rossi leave? Maybe he thought Michigan State, with superior Name, Image and Likeness resources, offered the opportunity to coach for a bigger winner. For now his shadow hangs over the program but today’s recruiting class, a bowl win next week and the announcement of a high quality replacement in the days ahead can sooth the loss.

BTW: Stillwater-based Creative Charters is in the holiday spirit donating 20 airline seats for Bolder Options mentors and youth to attend the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit between the Gophers and Bowling Green on December 26. Creative has a sold-out plane doing a same day trip for the game and company owners Steve and Dorothy Erban are taking care of the game tickets, too!

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‘Critical’ Offseason Ahead for Fleck & Golden Gophers

Posted on November 26, 2023November 26, 2023 by David Shama

The Golden Gophers 2023 football team lacked talent and quality depth at too many positions. The result was a 5-7 overall record and 3-6 mark in the Big Ten that left them in a four-way tie for last place in the West Division.

Now coach P.J. Fleck and his staff face the challenge of upgrading the personnel and depth as the Big Ten transitions in 2024 to 18 football teams with no divisional play. And in the new world of college football Minnesota and other Power Five programs will try to figure out how to retain players and add players in the transfer portal who can contribute next fall while stockpiling incoming freshmen for development. The portal is open most immediately from December 4 through January 3, 2024.

The Gophers had experienced players at many positions, but they didn’t play consistent football. When things mattered the most—late in the season—they lost four consecutive games including Saturday’s finale with Wisconsin. A run of key injuries was problematic all season.

Minnesota could return most of its offensive and defensive starters, and special team regulars in 2024. The most significant losses are defensive tackle Kyler Baugh, center Nathan Boe, receiver Corey Crooms Jr., corner Tre’Von Jones, safety Tyler Nubin and tight end Brevyn-Spann Ford.

The best college teams excel at quarterback and along the line of scrimmage, offensively and defensively. QB Athan Kaliakmanis started all 12 games and was up and down in performance. Not only was his passing inconsistent but he made minimal plays with his legs. The offensive line blocking couldn’t match the performance of three recent seasons when Minnesota won nine games or more. Defensively, too often Minnesota’s line and linebackers were gashed with big runs, and the old nemesis of a poor pass rush continued.

Typically, Power Five teams lose a dozen or more players to the portal. Who those players will be on the Minnesota roster will be known over the next 30 days or so.

Where do the Gophers need help in the transfer portal? “Pick your position,” Ryan Burns said.

Burns, the local recruiting authority from GopherIllustrated, listed quarterback, receiver, running back and offensive and defensive lines as areas of need. If pressed for his top three he prioritizes corner, tailback and “probably quarterback.”

Burns predicts Fleck and his staff will prioritize Name, Image and Likeness money for players already on the roster. Retaining talents like RB Darius Taylor, offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery and end defensive Jah Joyner will be vital for next year’s team.

Burns said creating competition for Kaliakmanis is desirable but the Gophers are likely to find such a QB from the FCS or Group of Five level. Why? Because big name Power Five quarterbacks can command $250,000 and more in the portal.

Fleck, who has a 49-34 record at Minnesota and is fifth all-time in wins, starts his eighth season in 2024. He will have to sort out issues with the program including possible changes needed in coaching philosophy and schemes, and perhaps shaking up the staff.

Burns and others predict this offseason will be different. “Most critical one Fleck’s had, I would say,” Burns said. “It didn’t go their way this year—the breaks they probably weren’t anticipating, but still should have won two games, Illinois and Northwestern, and sitting at six or seven wins going into the Wisconsin game.

“If that’s the case I don’t know that there is as much fan reaction as there has been this season. …Being able to look short term and long term at the same time is going to be critical for him trying to figure out what the best thing is to adapt going into that 2024 new Big Ten world.”

Worth Noting

I am so sorry to write that my friend Jim Carter, the captain of the 1969 football Gophers, passed away on Thanksgiving evening in Palm Springs, California. I knew Jim for more than 50 years and he was a fiery competitor in sports, business and life. He was a loyal friend who cared deeply for the University of Minnesota where he also played hockey.

A great prep football player at South St. Paul High School, Jim could have opted for Notre Dame but instead chose the hometown Gophers. He was a star player and important contributor as the fullback on the 1967 Minnesota Big Ten championship team. The Green Bay Packers made a linebacker out of him and his NFL career lasted through the 1978 season.

Known to friends as “Hurricane,” Jim was challenged much of his life by emotions and addictions. He had been in recovery for about 20 years and devoted a lot of his free time to helping others with their addictions.

Jim passed away at age 75 after battling metastatic melanoma. Longtime friend, confidant and Gopher teammate Jim Brunzell wrote via email how he will miss their lunches, football get togethers and phone calls.

“Jimmy was a man’s man and called his life accordingly,” Brunzell wrote. “…May he rest in peace, ‘till we hug again.”

Former Gophers head football coach Tim Brewster has resigned as Colorado’s tight ends coach, per internet reports today.

Mike Conley, 36, is the poised point guard whose leadership is indispensable to the fast-starting Timberwolves. He has been in the NBA since the 2007-2008 season and an indication of his self-control is never receiving a technical foul.

Chet Holmgren, the 7-1 Minneapolis native in his first NBA season, is averaging 18 points and eight rebounds per game for the Thunder who play the Wolves at Target Center Tuesday night.

Tom Reid, the former NHL player and radio analyst for the Wild since the franchise’s inception in 2000, is the latest guest on “Behind the Game” with longtime host Patrick Klinger. Topics include how the recent death of Minnesotan Adam Johnson may influence safety new safety measures in the game. The show is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPvNXskdASI&si=uLHbbftPajzUeD8W

Golfweek’s 2023 rankings of the best private courses in the state starts with Interlachen at No. 1 followed by Spring Hill, Minikahda and White Bear Yacht Club (tied at No. 3) and Hazeltine National. The next five are Windsong Farm, Somerset, Northland, Minneapolis and Golden Valley.

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Talking Turkey for Laughs and Wisdom

Posted on November 21, 2023 by David Shama

Everything I ever wanted to tell you about Thanksgiving.

(Ha! But maybe only a little bit.)

Suggestion for Strib columnist Patrick Reusse regarding the selection process for his annual “Turkey of the Year.” Choose a media person. Hint: It’s “low hanging fruit.”

My most memorable Thanksgiving Day sports event was the 1963 Golden Gophers football game at Memorial Stadium when Minnesota defeated Wisconsin 14-0 while earning some payback from a controversially officiated defeat in Madison the year before. The game on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, had been moved from the previous Saturday because President John Kennedy was assassinated November 22, and the nation was in turmoil and mourning.

Gopher 1962 All-American tackle Bobby Bell recalled meeting President Kennedy in the Murray Warmath book, The Autumn Warrior. The president knew of Minnesota’s frustrating fourth quarter 14-9 loss to the Badgers in 1962 and said to him later in the fall: “Bobby Bell! You’re the one who got that really bad roughing call against you a couple of weeks ago in that big game against Wisconsin, right?”

Warmath, the Gophers coach who probably would have won his second Big Ten title in three years if not for the 1962 officiating in Madison, had an eye for talent and a sense of humor: “No mule ever won the Kentucky Derby,” Warmath liked to say.

BTW I am starting a new tradition in advance of Saturday’s Minnesota-Wisconsin game in Minneapolis. Gopher fans are asked to wear lumberjack shirts (no red) this week to ensure good fortune that Paul Bunyan’s Axe remains in Dinkytown for a third consecutive year.

While the Gophers are practically strangers to Thanksgiving football, the Vikings are not, having played nine times on the holiday. Last year the Vikings defeated the Patriots 33-26 in their only home Thanksgiving Day game ever when Kene Nwangwu worked up an appetite with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

All-time on turkey day the Vikes are 3-2 against the Lions, 3-0 against the Cowboys and 1-0 with the Patriots for a 7-2 record. A favorite is the 1998 game in Texas when rookie wide receiver Randy Moss took revenge on the Cowboys who bypassed him in the NFL Draft after reportedly first indicating they would select him. Moss caught three passes in the game for 163 yards and all the receptions resulted in touchdowns during Minnesota’s 46-26 win.

No matter when you eat on Thanksgiving the NFL will be right there with you. The lineup Thursday: Packers at Lions, 11:30 a.m., Commanders at Cowboys; 2:30 p.m., 49ers at Seahawks, 8:20 p.m.

Football and food? The facts are these: it takes something like 15 hours to prepare the Thanksgiving feast and about 15 minutes (the length of halftime) to consume much of it.

And woe to those who don’t show appreciation and lend a hand to the preparers of the extravaganza. Without gratitude and willingness to help, there might be no TV football for you and dirty looks at the table could bring on a bad case of indigestion.

My worst and unexpected Thanksgiving drama? Being part of a pro rasslin’ promotion to raise funds for charity and hearing a cascade of boos rein down from the rafters of the old St. Paul Auditorium. Go figure.

Nobody on TV had more fun with football and Thanksgiving than the late John Madden, the Austin, Minnesota native. See what kind of look you get from a butcher if you ask for a Madden favorite, the six-legged turkey! I know we won’t have to count turkey legs beyond two on our bird.

At our house we spend considerable time talking about where to buy, what size and how to cook the turkey. How many pounds will feed how many people for how many days? Do we cover the bird with tin foil to enhance moisture? Maybe we’re influenced this year by a TV talking head who boasted about finding a Butterball at 99 cents per pound.

Temptation has crept into the process this year. We’ve seen wild turkeys in the yard lately, and I’ve pondered securing one for the Thanksgiving table. I am adept at throwing golf clubs and thought that might be a quiet way to knock off a gobbler. Restraint won out when I thought of cleaning the fowl.

Turkey is not for everyone, though. Vikings offensive guard Dalton Risner grew up on a ranch in Colorado and the family was a fan of another bird. “The fried chicken was just more crunchy, more juicy, just better,” he told Sports Headliners.

One year, Risner and his sibs were each tasked with making various parts of the holiday meal. “Yeah, of course we bombed out. I think mom and dad said it was all good, but you know we did something wrong.”

Risner’s mom made her version of Mississippi Mud Pie for dessert—brownies, layered with marshmallow cream and covered in chocolate frosting. A visitor suggested last week that sounded mouth-watering. “I got a sweet tooth, too, man,” Risner said. “Pumpkin bars, pecan pie. It’s going to be a good week, next week.”

Talk Thanksgiving with Viking defensive back Cam Bynum, and along with the importance of spending time with family comes a memory from Black Friday. He recalls his “sneaker head days” in California when he used to collect shoes. “In high school I’d go camp out (at a store with family) and wait in line for shoes, standing there for 12-plus hours, and that was a lot of fun for me.”

At our table we’ll have family from out of town and nearby. We’ll eat until everyone is high on sugar and then play games. I like the ones for ages 4 to 10.

Part of the emphasis in the Gophers football program is serving and giving to the community. Not just Thanksgiving week but other parts of the year, too. So, I asked Gophers’ football coach P.J. Fleck about gratitude yesterday.

He made the point that there are people who only want to be grateful for the good things in their lives. “A lot of things that you’re grateful for are the hardest things you’ve been through in your life because they teach you the biggest lessons—some of the most tragic, some of the hardest things you get through,” he said. “You do as you get older…find the gratitude in that and find out what it teaches you.”

Thank you for reading this space today and throughout the year!

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