While Minnesotans can never say never, it doesn’t appear like late winter weather will disrupt the Gophers’ spring football game. But roster depth will alter how head coach P.J. Fleck approaches the event at 11 a.m. April 22 at Huntington Bank Stadium.
“There will be some form of game,” Fleck said. “Will it be like it was in the past when people pick maroon and gold and there are completely separate teams? No. But there will be a game. It will be done a little bit different.”
Depth at some roster spots (primarily cornerback and rush end) will factor in, as well as some players held out. But there doesn’t appear to bad weather that will keep the game from happening, like it has in previous years.
“But there will be some form of game and entertainment for our fans, for sure,” Fleck said.
QB leaves team
Going into his third season, quarterback Jacob Knuth has left the U program, Fleck said Tuesday. The Harrisburg, S.D., product practiced last week.
“I don’t talk about anybody that has left the team,” Fleck said. “But, no, you can see, 2023, rosters change incredibly fast and depth charts change incredibly fast. I think transparency comes into play as a coach. You are very transparent, and players get to make decisions on their own.”
Knuth shared on Twitter on Tuesday night he plans to enter NCAA transfer portal.
Minnesota has Athan Kaliakmanis as the clear starter, and he has three years of eligibility remaining. Fifth-year Cole Kramer has been the backup, and Drew Viotto appeared to be challenging Knuth for reps.
New quarterbacks coach/co-offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh was asked about Knuth and Viotto last week.
“Jacob is still learning; he is getting better every single day, and Drew’s arm strength has really shined,” Harbaugh said. “I think the biggest thing they have to continue to get better at is every quarterback at this level can go and throw, throw routes on air and look good doing it.
“The biggest thing is tying their feet to the timing,” Harbaugh continued. “Jacob is probably doing a little bit better of a job right now just because he’s been longer in the system. Drew, on the other hand, I’ve seen over the last few practices where I can see his working hard mentally and he’s continuing to get better. (April 4) was one of those days, where I can see his feet start to tie into the concept, and that is what I’m on those guys about.”
N.D. lineman commits
Kindred, N.D., defensive lineman Riley Sunram committed to the Gophers on Tuesday.
Sunram, who visited the U this week, had scholarship offers from Miami (Fla.), Nebraska, Kansas State, Missouri and others.
Sunram, who is listed at 6 feet 5 and 280 pounds, is the eighth member of the U’s class for 2024.
Clarity on O-line
The Gophers’ offensive line needs to replace three starters from last year — All-America center John Michael Schmitz and guards Chuck Filiaga and Axel Ruschmeyer — and two have front-runners for spots this spring.
Quinn Carroll has moved from right tackle to right guard and backup interior lineman Nathan Boe has moved in at center. Aireontae Ersery remains at left tackle and Martes Lewis has stepped up at right tackle. That leaves left guard.
“It’s probably the most interesting spot,” offensive line coach Brian Callahan said Thursday. “Again, you just don’t know. There is every combination you can think of, in terms of what we are doing.”
Callahan mentioned Karter Shaw, Cade McConnell, Tyler Cooper, Ashton Beers and even true freshman Greg Johnson of Prior Lake. Shaw has also mixed in at center.
Unique interviews
New running backs coach Nic McKissic-Luke said Fleck’s interview process was unlike any other he has done.
“It was the style of it,” McKissic-Luke said. “You come in sometimes and you have a presentation prepared. I think I had over 100 (video) clips prepared to go through, and I think we saw two of them. Everything else was me teaching, being hands on. He wanted to see how I teach with the players.”
New tight ends coach Andrew Sowder said Fleck and staff were “extremely efficient” at the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) convention in Charlotte, N.C.
“I think they interviewed a lot of people,” Sowder said. “The thing I appreciate about it and what I love about coach Fleck is he was very decisive. I think he knew exactly what he wanted, and it went fairly quickly as soon as I interviewed.”
