Ask local prep football authority Zach Johnson about the state of Minnesota’s best college prospects in the class of 2013 and he delivers the highest praise for Tartan High School defensive back Keelon Brookins.
“I just think the world of Keelon Brookins,” Johnson told Sports Headliners. “I think he’s dynamic. I think he’s got a chance to be a shutdown cornerback in the Big Ten. Currently committed to Wisconsin—if he sticks with that. Sounds like he will, but he was committed to Minnesota for a few months before switching to Wisconsin.”
Brookins, whose father earned two degrees at Minnesota, is one of three prep players from the state who lead a 2013 class Johnson describes as “not deep” in big-time college prospects. Johnson, who uses his expertise as publisher for Gopherillustrated.com, said the big three consists of Brookins, Cretin-Derham Hall receiver James Onwualu and Cooper defensive back Malik Rucker.
Johnson also has impressions of both Onwualu and Rucker. “I don’t think he (Onwualu) has the big play (ability) or the high ceiling of a Michael Floyd but I think he’s a guy that probably (will) fit in well at Notre Dame and be a contributor there.
“Rucker, I know, he is still sort of talking to Minnesota but still says he’s solid to Iowa. He appears to be a guy that would be perfect for Iowa’s defense. Probably stick him back at safety and let him ball hawk, and I think that is more what will fit his game. I don’t think he’s that bigger safety that will be into run support, nor do I think he’s really aggressive. I think he will be more of a free safety that will sit back and try to pick off passes.”
Johnson said it’s “disappointing” none of the three players is verbally committed to Minnesota at this time (official college signing date for prep football players will be February 6, 2013). He also said “there’s a big drop off” in the state’s major college prospects after Brookins, Onwualu and Rucker.
Johnson described Wayzata’s Chris Wipson as a “solid linebacker.” He’s the only Minnesota native listed among six preps verbally committed to the Gophers on Gopherillustrated.com. Wipson receives a two-star rating from Rivals.com. Brookins is a four-star, while Onwualu and Rucker are three-star players.
There are three two-star players and three with three-star ratings on the Gophers commit list so far. “But all of them are pretty much what you’d expect from Jerry Kill early on in his recruiting (program building),” Johnson said. “Not really heralded. …They’re (the Gophers) not beating many Big Ten or BCS type schools to get these guys.
“But then again they didn’t have to do that to get a lot of the current true freshmen on the field right now that are seeing some potential.”
Those who understand the Gophers program know Minnesota’s head coach and his staff realize that until Minnesota becomes a winner it’s going to be difficult to land big-time high school players, those with four and even five-star ratings. In the meantime, the Gophers coaches will use their wits and moxie to find players, including talent others don’t recognize.
“I would expect until they figure out a way to compete in the Big Ten, that they’re going to have to rely on their evaluation skills, and their ability to find those guys who might be an inch short or 10 pounds light than what the big schools want,” Johnson said. “You can still win football games finding those guys.”
Notes:
Kill said yesterday he may redshirt about 24 of his freshmen this season. Per NCAA rules, a freshman will lose the redshirt option if he plays even a minute in one game.
Troy Stoudermire mishandled a punt in the opening game on August 30 against UNLV and was replaced by A.J. Barker who has kept the Gophers’ punt return job since including last Saturday in Minnesota’s 44-7 win over New Hampshire. Barker has been steady and returned three punts including one for 19 yards last week. He leads the Big Ten Conference in punt return average at 14 yards.
David Schwerman was the Gophers’ opening night punter at UNLV. He punted twice for 31 yards and then was replaced by Christian Eldred. The Australian native and program walk-on averaged 42 yards on four punts against New Hampshire.
UNLV, the team the Gophers defeated 30-27 in overtime in Henderson, Nevada, lost at home again last Saturday night when FCS Northern Arizona beat the Rebels 17-14.
Vikings’ executive Lester Bagley told Sports Headliners he expects an architectural firm that will design the new downtown stadium to be chosen before month’s end. Five firms are submitting bids including HKS, the firm that designed the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Although the Vikings like the Indy facility, Bagley said that won’t be a factor in selecting a firm.
Quarterback Christian Ponder recovered from a slow start in last Sunday’s 26-23 season opening win over the Jaguars. Ponder rallied his team to a late second quarter touchdown that seemed to turn around his day and the offense but before that he was booed by the crowd of 56,607, the smallest at a Vikings home game since the 1990s.
“Anytime you get booed, you gotta feel for that guy,” teammate Toby Gerhart said. “(Fans) got on him early but he stepped up, made some key plays, key passes for us as the game went on, and really helped us win that game.”
Gerhart, the Vikings reserve running back, said Adrian Peterson told him on the sidelines he was “ecstatic” to be playing again after last season’s ACL injury, and needed to contain his emotions.
Vikings No. 2 quarterback Joe Webb on the importance of winning at home: “You gotta protect the house. You can’t let nobody come in your home and take over. It’s a great place to play (Mall of America Field). Minnesota fans, they bring great energy to the stadium.”
Webb has a two-year career rushing average of 6.8 yards per carry, but he didn’t play in Sunday’s game against Jacksonville. Will fans see Webb in the run-friendly Wildcat offense this season? “You never know what’ll happen,” he said.
Webb and former Vikings quarterback Brett Favre sometimes text one another, offering words of encouragement.
Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams, 32, believes he’s still playing at a high level. “Without a doubt. I wouldn’t get out there if I couldn’t,” he said.
Vikings rookie offensive tackle Matt Kalil, the team’s top draft choice in 2012, blocked a pair of field goals and extra points during his junior 2011 season at USC. He blocked an extra point attempt in Sunday’s game against the Jaguars.
How did he judge his play as the starting left tackle in the regular season opener compared with preseason games? “Probably my most solid game,” he said.
Twins first-year pitcher Sam Deduno, who defeated the Indians on Monday night, is 2-1 in his last three starts with a 1.80 ERA.
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, who has made a successful recovery from concussion problems, is hitting .326 in his last 62 games.
WCCO TV’s Mark Rosen said over 8,000 hard copies of his book Best Seat in the House have been sold.
Eric Perkins has replaced Randy Shaver as KARE 11 sports director. Shaver is now the co-anchor on the KARE 11 week day nightly news with Julie Nelson.
Murray’s restaurant has completed its remodeling project and re-opened last Friday. Enhancements include private seating areas for groups and a larger bar along with overall redecorating.
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