Sophomore quarterback MarQueis Gray told Sports Headliners after Saturday’s spring game that he made extraordinary improvement during the Gophers March and April practices that prepared the team for next season.

Either Gray or three-year starter Adam Weber is expected to soon be named the team’s No. 1 quarterback for 2010 by coach Tim Brewster.  While Gray awaits that announcement, he believes that both his confidence and ability to play quarterback are dramatically improved.

“You’re just not going to be a great quarterback over night,” Gray said. “So you gotta put in the work and time and effort to be that quarterback.”

Asked to put a percentage on how much he improved from the start of the 15 spring practices to the end, Gray replied: “I would say I am about 85” (percent better).

Last season the Gophers offense often struggled, including in the team’s last three games when Minnesota scored a total of 29 points.  In Big Ten games the Gophers were last in the conference in rushing at 97.1 yards per game and eighth in passing at 198.1.

In the spring game on Saturday the offensive line look improved, the running backs were okay and just like last year the receiving was disappointing with too many dropped balls.  At times Gray and Weber threw effectively, completing 4 of 7 for 68 yards, and 8 of 20 for 144 yards.  Gray threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Hayo Carpenter.

The Gophers need more and better offensive playmakers including at wide receiver, a position Gray was used at now and then last year.  He caught six passes for 58 yards and one touchdown.  He also showed why he was the team’s best athlete, a 6-foot-4, 228-pound player with good hands, speed and ability to run.

If Weber wins the quarterback job, Gray is willing to play wide receiver, full time or part.  “I am a team guy,” he said.  “I want to play wherever the coaches want me to play.  If they want me to play receiver, I’ll play receiver.”

Gray said he won’t be too disappointed if he’s not named the starting quarterback.  “No, I will just know what I have to work on to try to get better for next year.”

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Four Oklahoma players were chosen during the first round of Friday’s NFL draft while the 11 team Big Ten had three players selected.  Three of the first four players chosen were Sooners while Brandon Graham of Michigan, the No. 13 pick, was the first Big Ten Conference player selected during the first round.  Oklahoma rival Oklahoma State had two players drafted on the first round.  The Big 12 Conference had nine first round picks.

President Barack Obama will give the University of Michigan commencement address in Michigan Stadium on Saturday.

Vikings second round draft choice Toby Gerhart’s success at Stanford drew attention not only because of his playing skills but also his skin color.  Exceptional white running backs are uncommon in major college football and non-existent in the NFL.  The last Vikings white running back worth remembering was Ed Marinaro, drafted by the Vikings in 1972.  Both Gerhart and Marinaro were Heisman Trophy runners-up and second round draft choices.

In the NFL Gerhart will be compared with running backs Jahvid Best, drafted by Detroit, and Ben Tate, selected by Houston.  Best was chosen at No. 30 in the first round after the Vikings made a trade with Detroit and vacated that draft spot.  The Vikings traded up with Houston in the second round to obtain Gerhart and later in the round the Texans chose Tate.

Gerhart talking about whether comparisons with former white NFL running backs John Riggins and Tommy Vardell are fair or accurate: “I think at times.  John Riggins was one of the greatest running backs…so any time you’re compared to a Hall of Famer, that’s definitely a compliment.  I think my running style is different than Tommy Vardell. I think he was bigger than I am.  He was more just downhill, bulldozing people.  I think I have a little more wiggle than he did, and I think I can be more all-purpose.”  

Nate Triplett, the Gophers linebacker who was outstanding on special teams at Minnesota, may make the Vikings roster filling that role.  The Vikings drafted the Delano, Minnesota native on the fifth round.

Vikings coach Brad Childress talks or text messages to Brett Favre at least every couple weeks, according to a team source.  The communications are rapport oriented, not football focused.

The NFL’s switch to prime time with two evenings and one day for the NFL draft is likely to continue indefinitely.  The league’s next major marketing move might be to reduce the preseason schedule from four games to two and increase the regular season schedule from 16 to 18 games.

Two-time All-American and Outland Trophy winner Bobby Bell was in town last week for a speaking engagement and to attend the Gophers spring game.  He played on the three most successful Gophers teams since World War II.  The 1960, 1961 and 1962 teams lost only six games, while winning a national championship, Big Ten title and playing in two Rose Bowls.  Bell said the 1961 team might have been the best of the three teams.

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Joe Mauer’s athleticism and desire to win are highlighted in a cover story about the Twins catcher in the April 26 issue of Sporting News Magazine.  Mauer said “I’d like to think so,” when asked if he could have been a starting NFL quarterback had he chosen a football career.  Mauer said there’s nothing better than if the Twins can qualify for the World Series.

In the magazine’s same issue, new Iowa basketball coach Fran McCaffery identifies Minnesota as part of his recruiting target, noting the state’s many college prospects and that the Gophers are the only Division I program in the state.

With Delmon Young hitting .245 and Jason Kubel batting .169, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire might be tempted to give more at bats to 39-year-old designated hitting specialist Jim Thome who has three home runs in 34 plate appearances.

Former Twin Carlos Silva is 2-0 with a 0.95 ERA for the Cubs.  He has a career ERA of 4.66.

Bloomington native Cole Aldrich, who played college basketball at Kansas, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before yesterday’s Twins-Royals game in Kansas City.  John Bell Wilson, who talks regularly with former NBA coach Bill Fitch, said Fitch believes the 6-11 center will be among the first 12 selections in the June NBA draft.

Aldrich’s agent is Jeff Schwartz, the same representative used by Kevin Love of the Timberwolves.

Gene Allen will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Wednesday and be inducted into the CHRISTian Sports Commission Hall of Fame prior to the Gophers-North Dakota State baseball game at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo.  Allen, a North Dakota native and Twin Cities attorney, was the founder and co-owner of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.  He led the drive to bring minor league baseball back to Fargo and build Newman Outdoor Field, home to the RedHawks, North Dakota State and the Maury Wills Museum.

Canterbury Park doesn’t open for live racing until May 14 but the Shakopee racetrack will be a popular site to watch Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.  Post time is 5:24 p.m. and the race will be televised by NBC.

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