Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck, once a college football wide receiver himself, has developed some standouts at the position including Corey Davis at Western Michigan, and Rashod Bateman, Tyler Johnson and Daniel Jackson at Minnesota.
Now the Gophers may have another star in the making. Redshirt freshman Jalen Smith from Mankato West could be a breakout player this season after an initial year when he mostly practiced and watched from the sidelines. He is also coached at Minnesota by veteran wide receivers coach Matt Simon.
Offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. raves about the former three-star prospect who is listed on the roster at 6-1, 195 pounds. “The sky’s the limit,” he said of Smith who has top-end speed and is a fluid athlete who can gain separation in the open field.
Harbaugh praised Smith’s offseason work ethic and the results of making plays in practice. He loves the young receiver’s “maturation process.”
While in high school Smith and quarterback Drake Lindsey got to know each other during recruiting. That has grown into a relationship that should benefit the Gophers as Lindsey, an Arkansas native, moves in as the starting quarterback.
“I am looking forward to seeing him play,” Harbaugh said of Smith who projects to be part of a rebuilt receiver corps that Fleck likes. Fleck (head coach since 2017) added that this group of wide receivers “has a chance to be one of our best units we’ve ever had here.”
There are multiple wide receivers who could emerge as top performers including Smith and senior Le’Meke Brockington who Fleck praises for his skills and leadership. “I talk to the NFL scouts all the time about Le’Meke. I mean, this guy is…close to a 12-foot broad jumper, (has) over a 40-inch vertical. He’s gonna run really fast. He’s a 700-pound squatter. He’s a great blocker, he can fly. So, it’s been fun to watch him lead that entire unit.”
Brockington started last season, but two other regulars are gone, Jackson and Elijah Spencer having used up their eligibility. So, there’s a lot of competition among wide receivers in training camp as the Gophers prepare for their season opener August 28 against Buffalo.
Worth Noting
Lindsey will be starting his first game for the Gophers against Buffalo, one of the favorites to win the Mid-American Conference. There will likely be adversity for Lindsey in that game, and certainly during the season, but Harbaugh said, “nothing really rattles him.”
No unit may have more to do with Minnesota’s success this season than the offensive line. It’s mostly a new group from 2024 that is in transition, but Harbaugh said the line has been “gelling” of late.
The running backs can help that line look effective. The Gophers return Darius Taylor, an All-Big Ten prospect, and have added transfers A.J. Turner (Marshall) and Cam Davis (Washington). The speedy and elusive Turner averaged a nation’s best 8.3 yards per carry for runners with over 100 rushing attempts. Davis is an experienced player to say the least—now in his seventh year of college football. Redshirt freshman Fame Ijeboi has impressed with his toughness.
Harbaugh said this is a versatile backfield group. “I feel very comfortable with any of the four guys out there. They can do a lot of different things, but they’re also different at the same time.”
With Danny Striggow departing at rush end because of eligibility expiring, multiple players could see time at the position. Defensive coordinator Danny Collins said redshirt sophomores Jaxon Howard and Karter Menz figure into plans, with Howard’s physicality apparent and Menz’s speed for pass rushing.
Collins is starting his first season as defensive coordinator but his relationship with Fleck goes back 13 years to when the two were at Western Michigan. A go-getter, Collins was at first an unpaid staffer and worked at FedEx to earn money.
“Coach Fleck took me under his wing at a very young age. He saw the vision that I had for myself and he wanted me to get that vision. …I mean I would run through the wall for coach Fleck.”
Preseason All-American safety Koi Perich will also play offense and perhaps return punts. It seems likely Perich will be given some time off on defense. Collins said he will adapt to the circumstances and that his safety roster is the deepest in the Big Ten, “if not in the country.”
Perich, a true sophomore, could be earning more money than anyone on the team now that players receive both revenue sharing from athletic departments and outside income form Name, Image and Likeness. “He has such intentionality with his money, and he’s already thinking 10, 20, 30 years down the road,” Fleck said. “He’s already thinking about the sports facility he wants to open and then franchise. He’s just an elite thinker.”
Congratulations to longtime Gopher boosters Lee and Louise Sundet who will have their 74th wedding anniversary next week.
Dave, thank you so much for mentioning the 74th anniversary of two of the greatest Gopher fans ever, Lee and Lou Sundet. They met and fell in love at Gopher games as that was all they could afford back in those days but have moved on to become top financial donors to the University of Minnesota. It breaks my heart to know that, according to Lee, they have health problems that will cause them to miss the game next week.
They are two people whose friendship I cherish.