The last time fans were able to see Gophers coach P.J. Fleck's football team at Huntington Bank Stadium was in a home loss to Ohio State in November. A lot has changed since then.
The 2024 version of Fleck's Gophers is different in key areas, including quarterback.
The Gophers have opted not to hold a spring game, so Thursday's 4:30 p.m. will be the best opportunity for fans to attend spring practice. Members of Dinkytown Athletes, the Gophers' name, image and likeness (NIL) collective, were allowed to participate in the university's first public practice on March 23 at the Olympic Village facility.
Here are four things to watch at the stadium on Thursday.
QB top change
Coaches and players praised Max Brosmer's smooth transition to New Hampshire. The U's have lacked a veteran presence like Brosmer at quarterback since Tanner Morgan graduated two years ago.
One of the most notable similarities between Brosmer and Morgan is their vocal leadership, which has helped them build chemistry with top wide receiver Daniel Jackson and the rest of the offense.
“You can't throw the ball in a certain spot unless the receivers are there,” said Brosmer, the team captain. “That can't happen if you don't keep training hours and hours and hours with the players. It goes back to the desire to get better and grow. We're growing as a unit…that's really what we're doing. That’s the exciting part.”
The only quarterback returning from last year is Stillwater walk-on Max Schikenjanski. So the Gophers decided to use spring ball to get a good look at highly touted freshman Drake Lindsey, the Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year. The 6-5, 235-pound Fayetteville native is expected to compete for the No. 2 spot behind Brosmer in the fall.
Taylor's backup?
After starting his career as the Big Ten's leading rusher after three games last year, Darius Taylor appears ready to once again establish himself as one of the league's top backs. But the Gophers don't want him to wear out from a freshman year limited by a foot injury.
The spring competition behind Taylor will be interesting between returning junior Jordan Nubin, Ohio State transfer Shi Bangura (811 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023), and Oklahoma State transfer Marcus Major. It has become. Bangla and Major could also be involved in the passing game.
“One of the things you don't want to happen is you have guys all season who carry 20, 30, 40 times every game,” Gophers running backs coach Nick McKissick-Luke said. “We're going to do what it takes to win football games. But you want depth in your room.”
Jadon Wright, an Illinois native who is the cousin of former Gophers receiver Chris Ortman-Bell, joined the team this spring after graduating early from high school. He is a first-year tailback who is attracting attention.
pass rush talent
Standing near the Gophers' defensive ends Thursday was the best way to see how well they play the role physically, especially 6-5, 265-pound seniors Jah Joyner and 6-6 That's the case with six-loss, 285-pound sophomore Anthony Smith.
Joyner and Smith, who led the team with 7.5 sacks last season, ooze NFL potential as pass-rushing talents. Smith will have the opportunity to learn from several seniors, including Danny Strigow and Jalen Logan-Redding.
wally and company
The return of senior cornerback Justin Worley was huge for the Gophers' secondary, with 32 career starts. His ability to set the tone this spring could be a sign of a big year for the unit.
They lost Trevon Jones, who was third on the team in tackles in 2023, to graduation. But the cornerback room is even deeper this year. The notable newcomer is Ethan Robinson, who transferred from Bucknell.
