Five observations from Gophers camp

The most wonderful time of the year is finally here. Christmas? Close. College football season.

We've got the countdown clock in motion here at Star Tribune World Headquarters. To celebrate the new season, Joe Christensen and myself will have a daily look at the Gophers and national college football scene on our blogs with a series of Top 5 lists. Everyone loves a good list, right?

Joe will post his inside look at the Gophers team on his blog that can be found right here.

My previous blog posts can be found here. Today's installment focuses my impressions of the Gophers after several visits to fall camp.

My prediction? Honestly, I don't know.

I understand the theories that have been floated this offseason – that Leidner is more comfortable as the starter and leader of the offense; that he should be more accurate as a passer in his second season; that he has more talented wide receivers around him now.

That all makes sense in theory, but until I see Leidner in game situations, I'm not sure what is realistic.

Leidner's inconsistency was frustrating last season because he had some really nice moments – the Nebraska game comes to mind – that made you feel like he was turning a corner as a quarterback.

I like Leidner's maturity and his attitude. He's a tough player. If he can improve his completion percentage to around 58-60 percent this season, the offense should have more balance and become harder to defend.

The Gophers could have three defensive backs selected in the NFL Draft next spring, a crazy thought given what we've witnessed from Gophers pass defenses in the past.

Their starting group of Murray, Boddy-Calhoun, Travis and Johnson ranks among the best in the Big Ten, if not nationally.

They also have some depth behind them.

Jay Sawvel is a terrific defensive backs coach who likely will get his shot as a defensive coordinator somewhere before long. He's ready for it.

What should have been second-and-13 often became second-and-6 instead because of Cobb's extra effort. I don't think that will be easy to replace.

I'll be surprised if one of the tailbacks emerges as the main guy who gets 90 percent of the carries. I envision the group sharing the workload.

That said, Rodney Smith catches my eye every time I see him practice. He has a burst when he finds his crease. He looks like a fluid runner. If he can stay healthy, he could have a big impact this season.

LB coach Mike Sherels should have at least five, and maybe six, players in his regular rotation this season.

True freshman Julian Huff has impressed coaches in camp and could have a role, too.

The Gophers have more potential options and a lot of the young guys certainly look the part in uniform. But they are young and unproven and developing at different rates.

It's no secret the Gophers need more explosive plays down the field. They need receivers that can make a difficult catch and help Leidner. It's hard for offenses to sustain 10, 12-play drives all the time.

Kill's staff has recruited some intriguing receivers who possess size and speed. Jeff Jones was a highly regarded running back coming out of high school, but can he transition to a new role?

They have a group of either true or redshirt freshmen -- Melvin Holland Jr., Desmond Gant, Isaiah Gentry, Rashad Still and Hunter Register – that all stand at least 6-3 in height.