quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

The gophers got a big time RB recruit out of Mpls either this year or the year before. He has eligibility issues right. Can somebody tell me more?

quote:

ORIGINAL: SoMnFan

Two other running backs we know will be on the roster but likely won't compete for carries are senior Cole Banham and three star true freshman recruit Rodney Smith from Georgia. Banham has worked hard in practice and on scout team his entire career, but it would be a shock to see him get anything other than mop-up duty as a running back. Smith will likely redshirt this season and didn't get the hype of a certain other running back recruit, but he has the potential to contribute in the future. He was rated a three star recruit by 247Sports, Scout and E!SPN, and 247Sports had him ranked as the 80th best RB in the nation.

Finally, there's Jeff Jones. You may have heard of him. Local kid who actually stayed home, star running back from Washburn, and the highest rated recruit the Gophers have landed in the internet recruiting era. That is, if they can get him into school. As of this writing Jones is yet to get eligible for the 2014 season, though Coach Kill's comments at B1G Media Days earlier in the week made it sound like Jones will get admitted. Let's hope so. Jones is absolutely the kind of elite talent that could come in and contribute from day one no matter how many good backs are ahead of him on the depth chart, but IF they can get him on campus this fall, the question is whether to redshirt him or not. Kill spoke like he was going to shirt him, which would make sense to help Jones get acclimated to college life and coursework, and make sure his academic house in a order before concentrating on football. At the same time, IF he's eligible to play and the coaches get a taste of what he can do in practice, it may be difficult to keep him off the field.

A BIG STEP FORWARD REMAINS AN EXCELLENT POSSIBILITY.

As of now we're going to assume Jones will not be a factor this fall, and yet the Gophers still have an excellent chance to improve in the run game from a season ago. The combination of skills from their backs provide every element you could ask for in the run game, though obviously the success or failure and the numbers they can put up relies on far more than just how good the backs are. If an experienced, talented and mammoth offensive line can take a step forward and if the offense can find a quarterback who can successfully throw the ball forward to players wearing Maroon and Gold, the chances for improvement- and a major one at that- are high. If the passing game provides more of the same non-passing, there's still a good opportunity to be better, though it could also mean similar results to last year where they ran over weaker defenses but struggled to move the ball consistently against the top defenses they'll face on a tough 2014 schedule.

Either way, a step back seems the least likely outcome, and a big step forward remains an excellent possibility. What's crazy about 2013 is they had their best rushing season both as a team and for an individual back since 2006, and yet Cobb was the only running back who was healthy and productive all season. IF the top four guys are all healthy heading into the season, with the offensive line and blockers they have in place this is a running back group that could be in for a monster season.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: SoMnFan

Two other running backs we know will be on the roster but likely won't compete for carries are senior Cole Banham and three star true freshman recruit Rodney Smith from Georgia. Banham has worked hard in practice and on scout team his entire career, but it would be a shock to see him get anything other than mop-up duty as a running back. Smith will likely redshirt this season and didn't get the hype of a certain other running back recruit, but he has the potential to contribute in the future. He was rated a three star recruit by 247Sports, Scout and E!SPN, and 247Sports had him ranked as the 80th best RB in the nation.

Finally, there's Jeff Jones. You may have heard of him. Local kid who actually stayed home, star running back from Washburn, and the highest rated recruit the Gophers have landed in the internet recruiting era. That is, if they can get him into school. As of this writing Jones is yet to get eligible for the 2014 season, though Coach Kill's comments at B1G Media Days earlier in the week made it sound like Jones will get admitted. Let's hope so. Jones is absolutely the kind of elite talent that could come in and contribute from day one no matter how many good backs are ahead of him on the depth chart, but IF they can get him on campus this fall, the question is whether to redshirt him or not. Kill spoke like he was going to shirt him, which would make sense to help Jones get acclimated to college life and coursework, and make sure his academic house in a order before concentrating on football. At the same time, IF he's eligible to play and the coaches get a taste of what he can do in practice, it may be difficult to keep him off the field.

A BIG STEP FORWARD REMAINS AN EXCELLENT POSSIBILITY.

As of now we're going to assume Jones will not be a factor this fall, and yet the Gophers still have an excellent chance to improve in the run game from a season ago. The combination of skills from their backs provide every element you could ask for in the run game, though obviously the success or failure and the numbers they can put up relies on far more than just how good the backs are. If an experienced, talented and mammoth offensive line can take a step forward and if the offense can find a quarterback who can successfully throw the ball forward to players wearing Maroon and Gold, the chances for improvement- and a major one at that- are high. If the passing game provides more of the same non-passing, there's still a good opportunity to be better, though it could also mean similar results to last year where they ran over weaker defenses but struggled to move the ball consistently against the top defenses they'll face on a tough 2014 schedule.

Either way, a step back seems the least likely outcome, and a big step forward remains an excellent possibility. What's crazy about 2013 is they had their best rushing season both as a team and for an individual back since 2006, and yet Cobb was the only running back who was healthy and productive all season. IF the top four guys are all healthy heading into the season, with the offensive line and blockers they have in place this is a running back group that could be in for a monster season.

Thanks, however this article was talking about 2014 season and Jones has not been seen. Is he a redshirt? Is he in school? Is he in any manner affiliated to the team?

quote:

Highly touted running back Jeff Jones started school Tuesday at the University of Minnesota but is not eligible yet to practice with the Gophers.

Coach Jerry Kill saw Jones on Tuesday morning.

"He's happy and excited, first day of school," Kill said. "It's a great time for him. Hopefully, how things turned out, and he does all his work, he'll be practicing in the spring."

Jones was a four-star prospect and Minnesota Mr. Football out of Minneapolis Washburn who needed to attend summer school to pass two courses after failing to receive a qualifying ACT score.

He is waiting to hear from the NCAA about whether he can receive a waiver to be on scholarship this season.

"We're cautiously optimistic to see how that all works out," Kill said.

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Wow, there is just no let up. Get em down, put the boots to em and don't stop kicking until the final whistle blows.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SoMnFan

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Wow, there is just no let up. Get em down, put the boots to em and don't stop kicking until the final whistle blows.

Hear hear
Get ball back
Do it again

quote:

ORIGINAL: stfrank

quote:

ORIGINAL: SoMnFan

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Wow, there is just no let up. Get em down, put the boots to em and don't stop kicking until the final whistle blows.

Hear hear
Get ball back
Do it again

We should have time for at least 2 more scores. [:D]