David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Fleck Gives High Praise to Frosh Class

Posted on August 22, 2021 by David Shama

A Sunday notes column with a focus on University of Minnesota football.

Coach P.J. Fleck and staff had an early look at some freshmen in the 2021 recruiting class when they enrolled in school last winter. With preseason practice underway, Fleck has now seen all his freshmen. His verdict:

“They’re really good. This class is really (a) special class.”

Justin Walley was among early enrollees and although a true freshman the cornerback seems likely to play in 2021 games. The 5-11, 185 pound Walley was the Class 6A Mr. Mississippi Football and he figures to be a key contributor in the secondary during his U career.

Help on the back end is also likely to come (sooner or later) from freshman Steven Ortiz Jr. from Arizona. The 6-foot, 180 pound Ortiz was a four-star recruit, while Walley was a three-star. Both came from winning prep programs.

Frosh quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, from Antioch, Illinois, threw some of the best spirals of any passers at a practice last week. The four-star prospect was ranked the No. 16 quarterback in the country by Rivals. He is all but certain to be redshirted on a deep QB roster.

There are freshmen showing poise despite their inexperience on the college level. Wide receiver Brady Boyd from Southlake, Texas looks the part early in his Minnesota Career. With Fleck taking a by-committee approach to the receiving game, August practice indicates Boyd could be making some Saturday receptions for the Gophers.

Four-star running back Mar’Keise Irving, from Country Club Hills, Illinois, is a name Fleck mentions when talking kick off returners. Fleck predicts improvement in the return game and wants more explosive runs. While Irving is in the mix for returning kickoffs this season, he is unlikely to break into the rotation of veteran running backs ahead of him.

Fleck initially started talking about his freshmen class last week when asked about two specific players, defensive lineman Austin Booker and tight end Jameson Geers. He raved about both.

“Austin Booker is going to play a ton of football here. I hate throwing out the word ‘freak,’ because people use it all the time, but he is a young freak. He’s very talented. He’s incredibly explosive.

“In summer conditioning, he won every single sprint. He was running the times of the skilled positions, the wideouts and the DBs. He can run.

“And he got thrown in there (at practice) probably a little bit before he’s ready. He’s pretty thin (6-6, 240) and not as strong as he needs to be. But the minute he starts filling out, he’s going to be a special player.

“Jameson Geers, he might play for us this year. He has an opportunity. He’s…tough, he can run routes, he can catch the ball.”

Among frosh players who will watch and learn while going the redshirt route are offensive linemen Jackson Hunter, Cameron James, Logan Purcell and Saia Mapakaitolo. Minnesota’s starting offensive line consists entirely of upper classmen and all could be playing their final season for the Gophers. That puts a priority on developing the four freshmen.

The hope was that by now the Gophers would have more than one o-line verbal commit in the class of 2022 (Tony Nelson from Tracy, Minnesota). If that doesn’t change, Fleck and his recruiters may target the transfer portal in the next offseason.

Ryan Burns, the 247Sports Gopher football authority, likes Nelson’s potential. “I think he’s got a chance to be the best offensive lineman in the state of Minnesota in this class. He’s certainly much more raw than a Deylin Hasert (from Marshall, Minnesota and verbally committed to Iowa State). He’s much more raw than the Hill-Murray kid as well (Lucas Heyer, with a verbal to Stanford).

“But (Nelson) he’s got athleticism and he’s got the ideal physical tools at 6-6, 265. He’s what a tackle in the Big Ten looks like. He’s what Iowa has thrown out at tackle, or Wisconsin has thrown out at tackle for so many years. Seeing him live at Minnesota’s camp…he’s not afraid to get his nose dirty a little bit too. I like him quite a bit.”

It will be interesting to see how much, if at all, the Gophers use the wildcat formation this season. It was productive as a power formation in past seasons when Minnesota called on 6-4, 240-pound tight end and former prep quarterback Seth Green. Despite his remaining eligibility at Minnesota, he transferred to the Houston Cougars.

With the deep quarterback roster, Minnesota coaches could use redshirt sophomore Cole Kramer in the wildcat. He was a heady competitor at Eden Prairie High School and is probably the best runner among the Gophers’ top five quarterbacks. At about 6-1, 205 he doesn’t have Green’s power but he offers a run-pass threat.

Former Gopher and MLB legend Paul Molitor is 65 today. Ex-Gopher women’s basketball coach Pam Borton is 56. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is 31.

Ron Stolski, a superb speaker and legendary state high school football coach before retiring with 389 wins, will talk to the CORES luncheon group Thursday, September 9 at the Bloomington Event Center. He has been the executive director of the Minnesota Football Coaches Association since the organization’s inception in 2006. For more information about the luncheon and program, contact Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

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Intriguing If WR Wright Subs for U

Posted on August 17, 2021August 18, 2021 by David Shama

Chris Autman-Bell, counted on this fall to be the Golden Gophers’ No. 1 receiver, is sidelined with an undisclosed injury, but possibly a high ankle sprain. The injury happened in practice last week and speculation has been Autman-Bell could miss the September 2 opening game against Ohio State. Head coach P.J. Fleck said after practice last night Autman-Bell’s injury is “week-to-week” and predicted a “legitimate chance” he could compete against the Buckeyes.

Autman-Bell, a senior, has played in 33 games during his Minnesota career, with 78 receptions for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns. That’s a lot of experience for the talented wide receiver who makes difficult catches and has the skills to be an NFL prospect.

If Autman-Bell can’t play against top five tanked Ohio State, who gets his assignment? It could be a group approach and several receivers had a lot of reps in practice yesterday. None seem more intriguing than Dylan Wright who showed his speed and pass catching skills Monday.

“He consistently makes huge plays,” Fleck said. “He’s just gotta be able to have the detailed part of the game continue to be ironed out.”

Wright, 6-3 and 215, is a redshirt sophomore and new to the roster after transferring from Texas A&M where he played in a total of eight games in 2019 and 2020. Fleck didn’t offer more explanation on how Wright needs to continue improvement.

Ryan Burns, the 247Sports Gopher football authority, sees more “immediate upside” in Wright than other potential subs for Autman-Bell.

“He’s the most athletic receiver on the roster,” Burns told Sports Headliners in regard to Wright. “His straight line speed, he can take the top off the defense. He knows how to go up and get a football.”

247Sports ranked the Dallas native the No. 12 wide receiver prospect in the country coming out of high school after his 2018 senior season. Wright was also named an Under Armor All-American.

Worth Noting

Matthew Trickett, the Kent State transfer, made 11 of 14 field goal attempts late at Monday’s practice, according to Daniel House of Gophers Guru. Trickett could be a lock to win the kicking job. True freshman quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, from Antioch, Illinois, threw some of the best spirals at practice.

Burns tracks Gophers and Big Ten recruiting. In Minnesota’s 2021 recruiting class five of the 18 players are from Illinois but for 2022 none of the 13 verbal commits are from that state, per 247Sports. New University of Illinois coach Bret Bielema has vowed to make in-state talent a top priority.

Burns said restrictions caused by the pandemic limited Minnesota’s recruiting in Illinois for its 2022 class. The Gophers did hold a camp in the state but chose not to offer anyone a scholarship. “I don’t think Minnesota is scared of Bret Bielema when they recruit the state of Illinois,” Burns said.

The Gophers will again wear a helmet sticker honoring the late Sid Hartman. The legendary media figure died during the 2020 season and in late October the Gophers began wearing a remembrance sticker on the back of their helmets.

There was expectation Minnesota Wild forward Kevin Fiala, who last season led the team in game-winning goals (5), shots on goal (162), power-play points (14) and takeaways (41), might earn $6 million on his next contract but the NHL club announced a one-year $5.1 million deal yesterday. He also ranked second in scoring with 40 points, 20 goals and 20 assists.

No word from St. Thomas on what radio station will carry Tommies football and who the on-air talent will be in its first season of Division I FCS.

The Minnesota Twins’ 2022 season schedule has a quirk with the club starting play with a split doubleheader in Detroit after the MLB All-Star break. Other clubs will play Friday, July 22 but because of a concert at Comerica Park that week the Twins and Tigers will have two games Saturday, July 23.

Every year the Twins ask schedule makers to start them on the road and for 2022 they had extra incentive not to be at home and conflict with the women’s NCAA Final Four basketball games at Target Center, April 1 and 3. The Twins open the 2022 season March 31 in Chicago against the White Sox, then go to Cleveland before playing the home opener April 7 with Seattle.

All MLB teams must at least occasionally begin their seasons at home. “We think that an extra week of Mother Nature warming in April is to our benefit, to our fans benefit and our players benefit,” said Twins president Dave St. Peter.

St. Peter told Sports Headliners former Twins first baseman Justin Morneau is a hit providing color analysis on TV games and that his work draws comparisons to Tony Romo of CBS football. “We think he is a rising star,” St. Peter said.

Tommy Davis, a freshman guard on the Golden Gophers’ 1982 Big Ten championship team who finished his career as Minnesota’s fourth all-time leading scorer, will be inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame September 10. A long range shooter, Davis set a Big Ten record making 15 of 16 field goal attempts in a game at Indiana.

Davis, a Maryland native, was hotly recruited out of high school. Gophers coach Jim Dutcher was looking for an edge and asked Walter Mondale, a Minnesota native and then vice president of the United States, to help. Tommy’s dad received a surprise call one day at work, Dutcher told Sports Headliners. Someone in the office informed Mr. Davis that the vice president was on the line. “The vice president of what?” the unknowing Mr. Davis asked.

Giovanni Jenkins is the new athletic director at Washburn High School in Minneapolis.

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Mike Zimmer: QB Mond ‘too Nonchalant’

Posted on August 15, 2021August 15, 2021 by David Shama

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback Kellen Mond made his NFL debut yesterday in the team’s 33-6 loss to the Denver Broncos. Mond, with only three practices behind him, entered the game early in the second quarter and heard cheers from the home crowd watching Minnesota’s first preseason game.

The third round draft choice played the rest of the game, completing six of 16 passes for 53 yards and rushing for 25 yards. Considering his lack of practice time the former Texas A&M star appeared to make an okay debut, while showing his athleticism moving around in the pocket.

Head coach Mike Zimmer, talking on KFAN FM 100.3 after the game, focused on how the rookie has to pick up his pace of play including what he does in the huddle. “He’s going to have to move faster with everything he does. It’s too nonchalant right now.”

Mond couldn’t direct the Vikings to a touchdown. Failures included two attempts for the end zone from the Denver two-yard line. But he out played Jake Browning who joined the organization in 2019 and entered Saturday’s game apparently the No. 2 QB behind Kirk Cousins. Playing as the starter, Browning completed five of 10 passes for 31 yards. He also threw an interception returned for a touchdown. He looked too deliberate on reads and releasing the ball.

The Vikings had 31 players, many of them starters, who didn’t play in the game because Zimmer wanted to see his reserves. It was a difficult result, particularly in the first half with the Vikings losing 26-6 at halftime. On a KFAN interview before the third quarter Zimmer complained about the interception resulting in an 80-yard Denver TD pass, plus sloppy tackling, giving up a safety and a “terrible punt. “Other than that it’s been great,” said Zimmer who predicted physical practices this week.

Worth Noting

Club president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners Joe Mauer will be the presenter September 25 when Justin Morneau is inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame prior to the Toronto Blue Jays game at Target Field. “They’re great friends,” St. Peter said. “There is obviously tremendous respect.”

Morneau and Mauer played together from 2004-2013. Morneau, the first baseman, and Mauer, the catcher, both came through the Twins’ farm system and went on to win the American League MVP Award.

“Two of the best in the game at their respective positions in their time,” St. Peter said. “So obviously richly deserved recognition for Justin to be in the Twins Hall of Fame and Joe will be there soon.”

Twins TV viewership is off 55 percent compared with 2019, the last full season of big league baseball, according to an August 6 Forbes.com story. The Twins are down 47 percent from the COVID shortened 2020 season. Many MLB teams have seen viewership declines (some dramatic) from 2019 versus 2021.

St. Peter points out the Twins were on their way to the Central Division championship in 2019, while this season the club performance has been a major disappointment. Across the country there has also been a change in viewing habits by consumers and ratings are down for attractions like the NBA Finals and Olympics.

St. Peter said the Twins are counting on starting pitcher Joe Ryan, acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in the Nelson Cruz deal this summer, to make an impact in coming seasons. He is on the St. Paul Saints Triple-A roster after winning two games in the Olympics for the silver medal American team.

“All you need to know is Mike Scioscia trusted this young man to start not one, but two games in the Olympics,” St. Peter said. “Mike Scioscia was there to win. This wasn’t an exhibition. This was championship caliber baseball for Mike Scioscia as the manager.”

Happy birthday to Tom Kelly who is 71 today. The former Twins manager led his teams to two World Series title titles.

Gophers’ offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. said coaches challenged redshirt senior quarterback Tanner Morgan to become leaner, stronger and more explosive during the offseason. “It’s really transformed his game,” Sanford said of Morgan’s development. “And mentally I’ve never seen him at a better place. He is handling everything with such incredible leadership, and the intangibles he brings to the table are so unique.”

The Saturday Down South website ranks Minnesota’s Mo Ibrahim the No. 2 running back in the nation. Sanford said the redshirt senior is more powerful than last season and sets an example for Minnesota’s other running backs. “Mo is the leader of that room,” Sanford said.

With the Gophers having an inexperienced wide receiver group, look for the running backs and tight ends to be targeted more in the passing game. Redshirt sophomore tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford, 6-7 and 270, has caught only five passes in his career, but could emerge as a star.

Texas A&M transfer Dylan Wright was the No. 70 overall recruit in 2019 by 247Sports and sorted through offers from big time programs before choosing the Aggies. “He is raising eyebrows, that’s for sure,” Sanford of Wright, who is preparing for his first season at Minnesota as a redshirt sophomore.

Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi on being referred to by his Minnesota players as a guru; “I don’t like it.”

Why? “Because it’s about players, not coaches,” Rossi said. “Players have to go out and make plays. Players gotta go out and execute defense. …”

Rossi has been using a trio of big, physical linebackers in practice. Jack Gibbens (245 pounds), Braelen Oliver (230) and Mariano Sori-Marin (245) will at times during the season be rotated out but they give the Gophers size and toughness needed against some opponents, particularly in Big Ten games.

Fbschedules.com reported the Gophers will host Eastern Illinois for a game Thursday, September 3, 2026. Minnesota will pay the Panthers $500,000, per the contract obtained by the website. Following that opener, the Gophers host Mississippi State Saturday, September 12.

The assumption this offseason was Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov, last season’s NHL Rookie of the Year, would be signed to a new contract by now. Whatever is holding up a new deal isn’t known but part of the delay could be who the 24-year-old listens to in his native Russia. Are there behind the scenes figures that hold influence and even power over Kaprizov? Business and politics in Russia are different.

It’s interesting that after Kaprizov was drafted it took multiple attempts by the Wild to bring him to Minnesota. He can make a lot of money playing in Russia but it’s not the NHL and he enjoyed his experience in Minnesota last season. Maybe there is a 10 percent chance he plays in Russia this fall, but the expectation here is he will be in a Wild uniform when the season starts in October.

Forward Kevin Fiala, the Wild’s other most valued scorer, faces a contract arbitration hearing deadline Tuesday. The Wild won’t lose him for next season but Fiala could become an unrestricted free agent in 2022.

No decision or agreement has been made regarding NHL players participating in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, per a Friday news release from the Minnesota Wild. Talks remain ongoing, although as of now there is a pause in the 2022 NHL schedule from February 7-22 to allow participation. If there is no participation, a revised regular season schedule will be released.

The Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA) announced Fridley’s Justin Reese as its 2020 Coach of the Year yesterday. His Tigers had a 7-0 record in 2020. Reese is the fifth ever Class 4-A coach to win the award.

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