Leidner's biggest weapon will be sophomore tight end Maxx Williams who led the team in receiving yards last year as a freshman and is an explosive threat whether he is blocking for shifty runners Cobb and Kirkwood, or towering over a defensive back making a tough catch. At the wide receiver position, and a clear leader of the offense, is part time but reliable senior pass catcher Isaac Fruechte. He had no touchdown receptions last year but hopes to change that as he steps into a spot where Minnesota was weak in last year and that was playmaking. Sophomore Drew Wolitarsky will line up opposite of Fruechte and after a solid freshman year hopes to show that his great athletic ability can translate to touchdowns and big plays for Jerry Kill's offense. At kicker, freshman Ryan Santoso steps in for the graduated Chris Hawthorne and provides a strong leg for the Golden Gophers.
The Gophers offensive line should look something like this: LT Ben Lauer, LG Zac Epping, C Tommy Olsen, RG Foster Bush, and RT Josh Campion. Sophomore Ben Lauer was a freshman All-American last year and is one of the hidden gems in the Big Ten. Next to him will be experienced senior Epping who has started 34 games and the bulky guard looks to work on his quickness and stamina this year for his final run with Minnesota. Former four star recruit at guard, Olson shifted to center last year and will be counted on to be a leader in the trenches. Known to be an amazing run blocker, I look forward to watching him create space for Cobb and Williams this year. Due to a career-ending concussion Jerry Kill will depend upon junior guard Foster Bush to step up into the place of Caleb Bak. He is a powerful lineman and has great initial momentum to push the D-lineman back before he can make a move. 6-5 326 pound Junior Josh Camion is the largest on the line and probably the most athletic. He is a great mover and is improving his pass protection.
DEFENSE: With the loss of one of the most physically imposing players I have see in Ra'shede Hageman gone from Minneapolis, I still think Minnesota returns a lot of talent along the defensive line. Junior defensive end Thieren Cockran had a team high 7.5 sacks last year and he is among my Big Ten breakout players this year at defensive end. The other defensive end in Minneapolis will be Michael Amaefula who gets the nod because of his experience as he has been a starter for the golden gophers since his freshman season, and should be determined to have a great season, as it will be his last at Minnesota. In the middle of Kill's 4-3 will be senior Cameron Botticelli and junior Scott Ekpe. Botticelli learned a lot from Hageman and takes a lot of room which will help with all the power backs in the Big Ten. Ekpe has added strength throughout his first couple of years in Minnesota and will work on his technique in the inside while adding pass rush beside pass rushing genius Cockran.
Minnesota's linebackers will be led by senior and former junior college transfer Damien Wilson who is great in pass coverage and getting to the runner. Junior De'Vondre Campbell is undersized for linebacker but has the athleticism to compete for Coach Kill. Sophomore Jack Lynn played three games as a redshirt freshman last year but has learned a lot of Minnesota's system and is ready to step up as a starter this year on this talented Minnesota defense. At punter, returning starter junior Peter Mortell emerged as one of the Big Ten's best punters with a 43.3 years average.
The golden gopher secondary loses a big leader and playmaker in Brock Vereen. Replacing him at safety will be junior Antonio Johnson and has the size and speed to make a positive impact for Minnesota this year. Returning starter Cedric Thompson will line up next to Johnson and led the team with 79 tackles last year. He will be depended on for leadership as he is a senior. At cornerback Kill will plug senior Derrick Wells and junior Eric Murray. Murray had ten pass breakups last year and was considered the gophers best cornerback last year in pass coverage. Wells is a decent corner but has struggled in the past in coverage.
RECRUITING: Considering Minnesota finished eleventh in the Big Ten and 56th in the nation. The star of the class and future Golden Gopher star is there only four star recruit running back Jeff Jones. They got a huge receiver from Virginia in Melvin Holland Jr. I expect him to make a large impact in Minnesota's passing a track and deep ball threat in the coming years. And finally three star defensive tackle a Steven Richardson is undersized but very physical and will gain speed and physicality to his resume'.
2015 Needs by Steve Wiltfong: Minnesota only signed two defensive backs in 2014 and will look to bring in a slew of them in 2015. Also look for Jerry Kill and his staff to try and reel in four to five offensive linemen.
OVERVIEW: I think that Minnesota's offense will be powered by the physical running game led by the terrific trio of Cobb, Williams, and Kirkwood and that will definitely help Leidner in his first year as the full time starter. Maxx Williams performs in All-Big Ten form but the inexperienced defense that lacks the physical play and leadership of Vereen and Hageman. Minnesota finishes fourth in the Big Ten West and gets an upset win sometime during the season.
LB Damien Wilson
RB David Cobb
CB Eric Murray
DE Thieren Cockran
LT Ben Lauer
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