Golden Gophers – Page 181 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

U 2019 Recruiting Class a ‘Big Deal’

Posted on December 16, 2018December 16, 2018 by David Shama

National Signing Day for high school football players is a couple of days away on Wednesday, December 19. Recruiting authority Ryan Burns from GopherIllustrated.com will tell you Golden Gophers fans have reason to celebrate.

Minnesota’s 2019 class is ranked No. 31 nationally by Rivals.com. That source has the Gophers ahead in the recruiting rankings of traditional football powers Miami and USC. The Gopher group of 24 commits has a composite ranking of 34 by 247Sports, setting up the second consecutive year that coach P.J. Fleck and his staff have landed a class ranked in the 30s.

That is impressive for a program like Minnesota that historically often hasn’t signed classes ranking in the 30s. “Any time you can sign 35 (ranked) back-to-back classes, which Minnesota is on line to do, that’s a big deal,” Burns told Sports Headliners.

Making an impression, too, on Burns is many players in Minnesota’s 2019 class were pursued by Power Five programs including a few elite schools. “I would put the offer list that Minnesota has for their commits versus any team in the Big Ten West (Division), and I think Minnesota would win,” Burns said.

The Gophers have two four-star recruits, per 247Sports. They are Memphis defensive tackle Kristian Williams and Ellenwood, Georgia defensive tackle Rashad Cheney. Williams’ FBS offers included LSU and Mississippi, while Cheney turned down Alabama and Georgia.

Nnamdi Adim-Madumere, a Rivals four-star wide receiver commit from Fort Worth, “continues to turn down” Alabama and Texas A&M, per Burns. Those two programs are having elite recruiting success with their 2019 classes, but yet they are in pursuit of the 6-3, 226-pound Madumere who could be bumped up to four-star status by 247.

Adim-Madumere is not only big for a wide receiver but runs a 4.5 in the 40, Burns said. He describes the young Texan as “an absolute nightmare” matchup for opposing defenders.

Earlier this month Fleck attended a Georgia prep state title game where he watched Lee County defensive tackle DeAngelo Carter (also known as DeAngelo Griffin). He won an MVP award for his play and Burns said that has prompted Pac-12 power Oregon to become interested.

Six of the Gophers’ recruits are defensive linemen and five are tackles. The line was a priority need and it looks like help is on the way for Minnesota. Among the linemen is Ellsworth, Iowa Community College defensive tackle Keonte Schad. “They are (the Gophers) beating out big time schools like Oklahoma for Keonte Schad,” Burns said.

Defensive line, at least according to some recruiting authorities, is the most difficult area to find quality Division 1 football players, and particularly defensive tackles. It takes numbers and quality to build a strong defensive line and Fleck could be establishing a more than solid foundation.

When Burns was asked who might be the Gophers’ best player in a couple of years from the class of 2019, he said three-star cornerback Tyler Nubin from Saint Charles, Illinois. He said it’s a “big deal” to sign Nubin who at a “legit” 6-foot-2 is long and athletic. To convince a player with his skill-set to become a Gopher and pass over Michigan State and other Big Ten schools is not “something Minnesota traditionally does,” Burns added.

Next year the Gophers will have one of the deeper and more talented running back units in the country with veterans Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith, and Mohamed Ibrahim who as a redshirt freshman this fall established himself as a starter. More talent is on the way in the class of 2019 including Owatonna’s Jason Williamson whose gaudy numbers included a single game state record of 477 rushing yards. Burns said Williamson will be given an opportunity at running back in the spring and also be looked at as a receiver.

Running back Treyson Potts from Williamsport, Pennsylvania is referred to by Burns as “absolutely a dynamic player” in space. He describes Cameron Wiley, a running back from Las Vegas, as one of the “most athletic kids” in the country. “He ran an electric 4.49 time,” Burns said about the recruit who was pursued by Oregon, a program that has built much of its success on speed.

The Gophers’ 2019 class includes holdover recruit and defensive tackle Logan Richter from Perham, Minnesota. He was recruited by Minnesota for the class of 2018 but decided to wait until 2019 to become a Gopher player.

The final number of recruits in the 2019 class is yet to be determined, with the possibility the class could be larger than the present total of 24.

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Thielen Ignores Not So Athletic Tag

Posted on December 12, 2018December 12, 2018 by David Shama

Adam Thielen is the unofficial Most Valuable Player on the 2018 Vikings’ offense, with three crucial games remaining in the regular season to determine whether Minnesota qualifies for the playoffs. Ironically, an ankle injury suffered Monday night in a low scoring game against the Seahawks has caused speculation whether the team’s leading receiver will be available for the next game.

And inexplicably the 28-year-old wide receiver from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota—who is on a possible path to becoming first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career—still doesn’t know why NBC TV analyst Cris Collinsworth referred to him as not being that athletic during the Vikings-Packers game November 25.

With or without Thielen, the Vikings take a 6-6-1 record into Sunday’s game against the Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings, along with the 8-5 Seahawks, are the most favorably positioned potential wild card teams right now in the NFC.

That hardly means all is well with Minnesota, though. The Vikings managed just 17 points during the last two weeks in road losses of 24-10 and 21-7 to the Patriots and Seahawks. The failures with both the run and pass have been numerous and contributed mightily to Minnesota being without a victory this season against teams with winning records.

The offense has weak spots in the interior line and quarterback Kirk Cousins has appeared skittish, despite piling up the stats. Plenty of players have failed to execute at times but there has also been a problem with game plans and play calling, and that led to the dismissal of offensive coordinator John DeFilippo yesterday.

Thielen, despite double coverage and being shut down without a catch in the first half Monday night, stepped up in the second half of the Seahawks game. He caught five passes for 70 yards, including one scrambling and athletic run that should have prompted a nod of approval from Collinsworth. In the fourth quarter with the Vikings behind 6-0, Thielen also got himself open for a touchdown catch that could have turned the game around but Cousins threw an incomplete pass targeting tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Thielen’s five receptions Monday night pushed him over 100 catches for the season, a lofty level for any Viking now or in the past. His 103 catches lead the NFL, and with 1,236 yards he is only 40 behind his career high of 1,276 last season when he was second-team All-Pro.

It will be a challenge for the Vikings if Thielen’s ankle, injured late in the Seahawks game, won’t allow him to play. All season he has shown off a tool kit of skills including sure hands, deft moves, breakaway speed, hard running and old fashion grit.

The former four-sport high school athlete is exciting to watch with attributes that include the ability to find openings against defenders. Yet on NBC TV Sunday Night Football Collinsworth made that comment to a national audience about Thielen’s athleticism.

Collinsworth didn’t elaborate on the comment while on air and apparently hasn’t done so since. Nor has Collinsworth privately communicated anything more to Thielen about his observation that offended his fans.

Thielen photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

“I mean people are going to say stuff, (and) that doesn’t bother me,” Thielen told Sports Headliners. “…If you paid attention to all the stuff people said about you, you probably wouldn’t be where you are.”

Reserve quarterback Kyle Sloter told Sports Headliners that Thielen’s Vikings teammates regard him as “a great athlete.” Sloter praised Thielen for his sure hands and knowing where he is supposed to be on routes, while possessing football “measureables” comparable to the NFL’s best catchers.

Does Thielen rank among the more athletic pro wide receivers? “I would think so,” Sloter said. “To me when you are continually blowing by All-Pro corners and guys that have been there, done that…you’re pretty athletic. …I was a former wide receiver for three years and I feel like I know the difference between a guy that’s just a possession receiver and a guy that’s a go-to-guy in any situation, and I think Adam’s that for sure.

“I think one of his best physical gifts that people overlook is his quickness. I think he’s very fast (in) straight line speed, but his quickness in and out of his breaks, being able to shift his weight, being able to play off of people’s leverage, and being able to get in out of his breaks (is special). I think he’s up there with the best of them (wide receivers).”

Worth Noting

Steve Erban loves the Golden Gophers and for decades he has been hosting fan trips through his Stillwater-based Creative Charters. He’s promoting a “Golden Trek” vision of Gophers football, and he wrote via email that the journey begins with fans attending the December 26 Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit where Minnesota will play Georgia Tech.

Erban thinks coach P.J. Fleck’s program is on a roll after closing the season impressively, including claiming “The Axe” in Madison with a victory over the Badgers for the first time since 2003. He looks at the many Gopher players returning next season who are highly regarded and believes this is just the beginning in transforming the program under Fleck who has the reputation of a strong recruiter.

The message to fans is get in on the Gopher ascent that Erban believes will one day end at the Rose Bowl, or even at the national championship game. Those fans who do can claim they made the “Golden Trek,” an experience Erban compares to his attending every Gopher NCAA Tournament men’s basketball game going back to 1989.

Creative Charters is offering a day-trip itinerary on December 26 with an 8 a.m. flight out of Minneapolis. As part of Erban’s ambitious plan, he’s targeting five airplanes filled with 850 Gophers fans.

Erban wrote: “This trip to the Quick Lane Bowl will allow many Gopher fans to stand at the Rose Bowl/championship game some day and say: ‘I made the GOLDEN TREK.’ “

More at creativecharter.com

New Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson referred to pitcher Fernando Romero as having “wow” talent when talking on WCCO Radio’s “Sports Huddle” program Sunday. Romero, 24 later this month, started 11 games as a rookie last season, with a 3-3 record and 4.69 ERA. He could be a starter or reliever, according to Johnson who comes to the Twins directly from college coaching.

Because of open dates early in the 2019 schedule, Johnson speculated the Twins may begin the year with 12 pitchers, rather than 13.

It will be 100 years ago on December 21 that Hobey Baker, considered the first great American hockey player, passed away. The Hobey Baker Award, given annually to college hockey’s best player, was the brainchild of Chuck Bard, CEO of the former Decathlon Club in Bloomington.

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Ex-Gopher Was U President Candidate

Posted on December 7, 2018December 7, 2018 by David Shama

Although it hasn’t been reported, Minneapolis native and former Gophers linebacker Pete Najarian was a candidate to be the next President of the University of Minnesota. Najarian, who was co-captain of the 1985 Gophers, confirmed his candidacy to Sports Headliners during a telephone interview this week.

Najarian, who found success and fame nationally as an options trader, financial markets analyst and TV personality, didn’t seek the position that now has a sole finalist in University of South Carolina Provost Joan Gabel. “The fact that I was nominated was very flattering,” Najarian said.

Najarian loves the University and pursued the school’s athletic director’s position before it was filled in 2016 by Mark Coyle. Unlike that process when he was given a formal interview, there was no such sit down for the President’s position, although he had conversations with selection committee members.

To some observers of the Presidential selection process that could raise the question of whether a business person with an accomplished background like Najarian was treated as a serious candidate. “You know, I think it’s a tough thing, quite frankly. I think they were legitimately considering (alternative) folks but I think also they’re looking for somebody…within the educational system already,” Najarian said. “I am sure there are many, many highly qualified candidates out there…who have great résumés from different universities.”

Najarian has an easy going personality, and that along with his professional background, could have made him a strong leader and uniter of the many factions at the University. He said that while the President’s position “was not something I had sat back and dreamed about like I did the AD position,” he envisioned things where he could make the University better.

A source told Sports Headliners the final three candidates to become President were all females and high level administrators at other schools. Cabal would be the first female President ever at the University of Minnesota.

Worth Noting

Condolences to family and friends regarding the death this week of pro wrestling legend and Minnesota native Larry “The Axe” Hennig. He was a star in the old American Wrestling Association that entertained generations of fans in Minneapolis, St. Paul and other major cities.

Jim Brunzell, another AWA star, emailed with the news yesterday and wrote: “I affectionately called him Dad, and would greet him with a hug and big kiss on the cheek! May he rest in peace!”

Former Spring Lake Park football player E.J. Ejiya, a senior at North Texas, was named this week as a Conference USA all-league first-team linebacker. After graduating from high school in 2014, he became a Junior College All-American at North Dakota State College of Science. His skills and work ethic have him positioned now as an NFL prospect.

Ejiya ranks fourth nationally in tackles for loss with 23 and leads the Mean Green in sacks with 9 (fourth in C-USA). His 113 total tackles are also fourth most in the league. As the top rated defensive player for North Texas, he has a grade of 86.5 from Pro Football Focus. That ranks him 26th among all FBS linebackers.

A side benefit for the Golden Gophers in preparing for Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense in the December 26 Quick Lane Bowl is that Georgia Southern, Minnesota’s nonconference opponent on September 14 of next year, also employs that seldom used system. The run-dominated offense at Southern is coached by coordinator Bob DeBesse who was Gopher OC under Jim Wacker from 1992-96.

Will the Gophers have all their starters for the Quick Lane Bowl game on December 26? Maybe more on that later.

Bud Grant will be at the Triple Crown Sports Card and Bobblehead Show from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Southtown Shopping Center in Bloomington. Two of his former Vikings players, Bob Lurtsema and Dave Brown, make appearances from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Minnesota Twins legend Joe Mauer was in the holiday spirit last weekend at Mauer Chevrolet where he was helping build bicycles for Toys for Tots.

Mark Rosen said he is retiring January 10 from his longtime position as WCCO TV’s No. 1 sports anchor. Rosen, whose wife Denise is dealing with cancer, had announced earlier this year he intended to retire from TV in April but he has moved up the date. The 67-year-old started working part-time at WCCO TV in 1969 and will be missed a lot by Minnesota sports fans.

Rosen told Sports Headliners he has signed a new contract with KFAN and will continue a regular role with the Minneapolis FM station. His new schedule without TV but with radio will allow him to be home by late afternoon weekdays. The Rosen family will vacation in Mexico later in the month.

Recently retired Star Tribune sports editor Glen Crevier is interviewed on “Behind the Game,” the Twin Cities cable TV program co-hosted by Patrick Klinger and Bill Robertson. Crevier had a 43 year career in journalism, including the last 20 at the Star Tribune. He is passionate about college football and has visited famous stadiums including Michigan Stadium this year. In addition to cable, the Crevier interview can also be viewed on YouTube.

As the nation mourns the death and also celebrates the life of George H.W. Bush, coaches and athletes could pause and remember the grace and humility with which the former war hero and President lived his life.

Today’s “look at what I did” athletes stand in sharp contrast to the quiet, humble and kind manner in which Mr. Bush lived his life including accomplishments that in perspective were far more important than winning touchdowns, last minute goals and ninth inning home runs. When the heroes from “The Greatest Generation” scored touchdowns, they simply handed the football to the referee. After a creative scoring play in basketball, the athlete from that era quietly headed back up the court to take his position on defense.

Hotdogging after a spectacular accomplishment in sports or another endeavor? Mocking an opponent by wagging a finger, or nodding a head? Not in Mr. Bush’s generation that included all those World War II men and women who came home and were reluctant to even talk about what they had seen and done.

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