The Gophers have their fair share of offseason questions to answers
As we close the book on another season of Golden Gopher football, here are the five most pressing questions that Minnesota will need to answer this offseason.
1. Can the Gophers solve their offensive line woes?
Even with running back Darius Taylor in the backfield, the Gophers averaged the fewest rushing yards per game of the P.J. Fleck era — and the problems started up front.
Minnesota enters the offseason with left tackle Aireontae Ersery, left guard Tyler Cooper, and right tackle Quinn Carroll all walking out the door. But walking through the door are three transfer offensive linemen: UCF’s Marcellus Marshall, Washington’s Kahlee Tafai, and Kentucky’s Dylan Ray. All three give offensive line coach Brian Callahan more to work with this offseason.
You have to be able to run the ball in the Big Ten, especially with a young and inexperienced quarterback under center. If Callahan can’t get this offensive line rolling again, the Gophers’ offense is going to be stuck in neutral next season.
2. Is Drake Lindsey the answer at quarterback?
Unfortunately, one year of Max Brosmer is all we get. While I’ve read all about how Drake Lindsey has been attached at the hip with Brosmer since the former New Hampshire transfer stepped on campus, there is going to be a drop-off from a sixth-year signal caller to a redshirt freshman quarterback who has only made five collegiate pass attempts. Minnesota brought in Georgia Tech transfer quarterback Zach Pyron to push Lindsey this offseason, but all signs seem to indicate that Fleck and offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh believe in Lindsey.
Is Lindsey ready? We’ll have to wait until the fall to find out.
3. Who is going to step up at wide receiver?
For the first time since 2021, Daniel Jackson will not be the team’s leading receiver next season. He has quietly been the Gophers’ most reliable pass catcher in each of the past three seasons. Now he’s gone, and so is second-leading receiver Elijah Spencer.
So who is going to catch Lindsey’s passes?
Minnesota loaded up on wide receivers in the transfer portal, bringing in Miami (Ohio)’s Javon Tracy, UCLA’s Logan Loya, and Nebraska’s Malachi Coleman. Redshirt senior Le’Meke Brockington and redshirt junior Cristian Driver should also be in the mix. Redshirt sophomore wide receivers Donielle “Nuke” Hayes and Kenric Lanier both saw action in the bowl game.
Darius Taylor and right end Jameson Geers also figure to be part of the passing game.
4. Can Minnesota reload on defense?
The Gophers are losing six starters on defense: Rush end Danny Striggow, defensive end Jah Joyner, linebacker Cody Lindenberg, nickel back Jack Henderson, and cornerbacks Justin Walley and Ethan Robinson.
Former LSU transfer Jaxon Howard and sixth-year senior Lucas Finnessy will get first crack at replacing Striggow, with redshirt sophomore Karter Menz also in the mix. On the opposite end of the defensive line, Anthony Smith arguably outperformed Joyner this season. Minnesota is also bringing in Illinois State defensive end Steven Curtis to be part of the rotation.
At linebacker, Maverick Baranowski is a stud. But he needs help. Can Devon Williams finally put it all together for his redshirt senior season? Is Woodbury native Joey Gerlach ready for an opportunity? Linebacker is a big question mark for this defense. The coaching staff may also look to add a transfer linebacker when the portal opens up again in the spring.
Redshirt sophomore Za’Quan Bryan and NC Central transfer Jaylen Bowden would seem to be the favorites to take over at cornerback for Walley and Robinson. But the Gophers also have zero depth at the position. You better hope Bryan and Bowden both play well and stay healthy.
I don’t know who will step in for Henderson at nickel back. He was one of defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman’s favorite weapons this season, finishing the year with 44 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick. Former TCU transfer Jai’Onte’ McMillan may get a look here.
5. Who will be the casualties of the coming roster crunch?
P.J. Fleck and co. deserve a lot of credit for ramping up their roster retention efforts the past two seasons. Last year, quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was the only notable defection. This year, 10 scholarship players have entered the transfer portal as of this writing and only offensive tackle Phillip Daniels was likely to be a starter next season.
But with new NCAA regulations imposing a roster limit of 105 players for FBS teams, including both scholarship and non-scholarship players, attrition will be unavoidable. Expect to see more players enter the portal when it re-opens on April 16, after they’ve gone through spring camp and have a clearer sense of where they sit on the depth chart.
Bear in mind that some players who enter the portal may not even want to leave, but must do so after a difficult roster decision is made by the coaching staff.