The Gophers are eight days from their season opener against TCU, and we're ramping up our coverage at StarTribune.com. This week, as an added feature, Chip Scoggins and I are unveiling a series of Top Five lists, looking at the Gophers and the national college landscape.
Check out Chip's latest entries here. I've done "Five keys to the Gophers' season," "The Gophers' five most indispensable players," and now here are their most unsung players.
1. Jack Lynn
Last year's headliner at linebacker for the Gophers was Damien Wilson, and this year, the one with the most NFL buzz is De'Vondre Campbell. But Lynn is a quiet difference maker who can play inside or outside. Lynn made 57 tackles last year, including seven for a loss, in his first full season.
2. Josh Campion
I highlighted him at No. 3 on my list of "Most Important Gophers," so maybe it's a contradiction to also call him unsung. But really, how much do general fans hear about this guy who has started all 39 games on the offensive line the past three seasons?
3. Miles Thomas
After walking on out of Butler County (Kan.) Community College, he stepped into the starting fullback job last year and did a solid job replacing Mike Henry. The Gophers are one of the few teams that still rely heavily on their fullback, yet I've barely written about Thomas.
