Gophers need to grow up fast

Minnesota football coach Tim Brewster will be counting on freshmen and junior college players to play key roles this season.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: August 2, 2008 - 9:27 AM

When Minnesota's freshmen and junior college transfers report to fall football camp today, many of them should anticipate more than a cup of coffee and a redshirt by season's end.

The newest Gophers will immediately be called on to help fill out a depth chart that would be meager without them.

"We're going to be in a position where we're going to ask some young kids to really contribute in a significant way, meaningful minutes on the field," Minnesota coach Tim Brewster said during Big Ten media day last week in Chicago.

Brewster recruited 20 players on the defensive side of the ball, where the Gophers clearly need the most help. Last season, the Gophers had the worst total defense in the country -- the team allowed 518.7 yards and 36.7 points per game.

But Brewster said he expects such players as junior college transfers Tramaine Brock, a free safety, and Traye Simmons, a cornerback, to strengthen the defensive backfield, which may consist of all newcomers by the season opener against Northern Illinois on Aug. 30 at the Metrodome.

And on offense, junior Eric Decker is the team's only standout receiver returning from a year ago. That creates opportunities for freshman wideouts Brandon Green and Brodrick Smith, while freshman running backs Kevin Whaley, DeLeon Eskridge and Shady Salamon could crack a backfield rotation that returns junior Jay Thomas and sophomore Duane Bennett.

With so many unknowns entering fall camp, freshman and junior college players should have ample time to move up Minnesota's depth chart.

Returning players who experienced a 1-11 season a year ago are eager to help the team's junior college transfers and freshmen adapt. It has helped that most of the newcomers arrived by summer, said senior linebacker Steve Davis.

"And they really already know the basics because we've been doing summer workouts and holding captain's practices, where we'll teach the young guys plays and get them adjusted to being in the college atmosphere," he said. "So by the time two-a-days roll around, we can just continue to just grow and learn some new things."

While the bulk of incoming talent will play defense, the Gophers also hope to inject their offense with new life. Sophomore quarterback Adam Weber, who might end up relying on three freshman wide receivers along with Decker, said he's taken it upon himself to nurture the progress of the team's newcomers.

"We're going to have to have our older guys or guys with more experience really mentor these young guys because they're talented," he said. "Now it comes down to can we develop them into a college player."

Brewster said he's not worried by the prospect of fielding a squad with so many new faces and just hopes the players live up to their billing as one of the top 20 recruiting classes in the country.

"I think that doesn't concern me [because of] the fact that these kids are really talented," he said. "And if they're really talented kids, youth doesn't bother me. If they're not so talented, then it bothers me."

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