The Gophers defense loses nine of 11 starters from last season. Filling positions is among the priorities of spring practice which continues now through the annual spring game on Saturday, April 24 at TCF Bank Stadium.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove told Sports Headliners that while his unit is inexperienced the Gophers “do have a lot of talent.” Included in the talent category are redshirt freshmen defensive ends Ra’Shede Hageman and Matt Garin whose participation in spring practice has been slowed respectively by hamstring and ankle problems.
Through the years the Gophers’ reputation for rushing the passer has been poor but that may change with players like Hageman, Garin and sophomore defensive end D.L. Wilhite.
“D.L. Wilhite has made a lot of progress,” Cosgrove said. “I really like what I see in him. He’s really going to help us in the pass rush. …”
Wilhite has been known as a pass rushing specialist but Cosgrove said the Kentucky native can play the run effectively, too.
Among the developments of spring practice has been the emergence of sophomore middle linebacker Mike Rallis, a former walk-on who missed much of last season because of injuries when he was a safety. “He’s made an outstanding transition from safety to the ‘Sam’ linebacker and he’s given us…above and beyond what I expected him to be at this point. He’s really improved everyday. Really detailed guy.”