Gophers coach Tracy Claeys confirmed Friday that he plans to hire Jay Sawvel as defensive coordinator, saying the details are being finalized.

Claeys has been saying for several weeks that Sawvel was the likely choice. Sawvel has been the team's defensive backs coach and served as defensive coordinator when Claeys took over the head coaching duties following Jerry Kill's retirement.

Maye is a Senior Bowl alternate

KJ Maye said via text message that he's been picked to be a "first alternate" for the Senior Bowl in his hometown of Mobile, Ala. Maye, who blossomed into a receiving force for the Gophers this year, has been working out and getting ready for the NFL draft.

Johnson, Miller introduced

A big theme from today's press conference, introducing Gophers offensive coordinator Jay Johnson and offensive line coach Bart Miller, was their emphasis on the running game. I'll have more off the presser in tonight's first editions.