Koi Perich, Anthony Smith among leaders on unproven Gophers defense

Working his first training camp as Gophers defensive coordinator, Danny Collins knows he has holes to fill. He needs to replace two starting defensive ends, a mainstay at linebacker, a pair of cornerbacks and a nickelback.

It’s a daunting task, especially considering Minnesota’s 2024 defense gave up the fifth fewest yards per game in the nation (285.7 per game) and the ninth fewest points per game (16.9) under Corey Hetherman, who agreed to a contract extension after the season before leaving for the same position at Miami (Fla.).

Collins, though, likes what he’s seen through just more than a week of training camp.

“We’re adding things every single day, and we’re way further ahead than we’ve ever been,” said Collins, who’s entering his ninth year with the Gophers and has been safeties coach since January of 2022. “I’m excited about the level that they’re playing at and the confidence they’re playing with.”

The Gophers have had two practices open to the media, and in both, the offense and defense took turns at controlling the tempo. Tuesday, the defense got a jolt from an interception for a touchdown by true freshman cornerback Naiim Parrish and forced a couple of fumbles. The defense was also victimized by two long pass plays.

“We gave up two explosive plays today, and our goal is two or less,” Collins said. “Our goal is two or less. … We want to do everything to limit those. But the biggest thing on those is to respond. That’s why we practice, right?"

The starting lineup hasn’t yet been set, but it’s starting to take shape. Collins will lean on his depth at safety, which includes Koi Perich, Kerry Brown and Aidan Gousby. He’s been impressed with Matt Kingsbury and true freshman Emmanuel Karmo at linebacker, Darius Green at cornerback, and a defensive line led by Anthony Smith, Deven Eastern and Justin Logan-Redding.

Bruce Feldman, a national college football writer for the Athletic, compiles an annual “Freaks List” in which he selects the strongest, fastest and most physical players in college football. This year, Gophers wide receiver Le’Meke Brockington is listed at No. 28 of the 101 players Feldman profiles.

Feldman lists Brockington’s squat of 664 pounds, vertical jump of 42 inches, broad jump of 11 feet, 4 ¼ inches, 4.19-second shuttle time and 10-yard split of 1.43 seconds as evidence of his freakishness.

“His numbers, particularly his jumping and strength ones, are truly amazing,” Feldman wrote of the 6-foot, 195-pounder.

Feldman has two others with Minnesota ties on his Freaks List: North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance of Marshall, Minn., is listed at No. 34, and USC defensive tackle Jide Abasiri, a former Gophers commit from Prior Lake, at No. 38.