U football: Depth at key positions proving to be a strength

Coach Tim Brewster likes what he sees from the team's backups near the midpoint of fall training camp.

By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune

Last update: August 19, 2009 - 11:54 PM

The Gophers are nearing the midpoint of fall camp, and one thing is becoming clear to coach Tim Brewster: He believes his third Gophers team will have much more depth than his first two.

"We feel great about the recruiting classes we've had," he said. "It's shown up on the field in terms of depth."

Examples?

Senior defensive tackles Garrett Brown and Eric Small are one of the team's strengths, but backups Brandon Kirksey and Jewhan Edwards provide strong backups.

At cornerback, freshman Michael Carter has been one of the pleasant surprises of camp; he made yet another big play in Wednesday morning's scrimmage.

There is depth at safety (sophomore Tim Dandrige and freshman Kerry Lewis), and especially at linebacker, where redshirt Keanon Cooper is making a strong bid for playing time.

Brewster said on Wednesday he could see Cooper and Nate Triplett being used together in passing situations.

On offense there is a lot of competition at receiver and tight end.

"I'm really pleased with the young guys," Brewster said. "There have been a number of those guys. [Wednesday] morning in the scrimmage, Bryant Allen did some things that were really exciting. Troy Stoudermire is a guy I think has a chance to be a really good player."

It is a tribute to that depth that Brewster and his staff haven't felt the need to have any players switch positions.

Hit parade

The Gophers had another long, full-contact scrimmage on Wednesday. The Gophers will scrimmage hard again Saturday in the game day preview at TCF Bank Stadium and perhaps again the following Wednesday.

"But then, from next Wednesday on, it will be all downhill to Syracuse," Brewster said, referring to the amount of hitting in practice as the opening game approaches.

The good news is that, other than Ryan Wynn (back) and Derrick Onwuachi (knee), the team has remained basically healthy.

Etc.

• Calvin Phillips, a member of the Gophers' 2011 recruiting class, pleaded not guilty to a charge of marijuana possession in Kankakee (Ill.) County court, according to the Kankakee Daily Journal. Phillips, a running back at Momence High School, was arrested along with teammate Kendall Wolfe on July 20 after police allegedly found more than 30 grams of marijuana with them in a car. Both were charged as adults with misdemeanor possession. Their next court date is scheduled for Sept. 14.

• Brewster said true freshman defensive end Matt Garin has flashed some impressive pass-rushing ability, enough that he could possibly get on the field this season.

"He's got twitch, he's got get-off," Brewster said. "He's a long, lean kid who can get off the edge. ... He's really got some outstanding juice. He still has to get bigger and stronger, he has a ways to go as far as physical development. But you can't coach that get-off."

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