Gophers to feature a cast of many vying for catches and playing time this season

From Daniel Jackson’s whirling dervish touchdown catch at Michigan to Elijah Spencer’s MVP performance in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, the 2024 Gophers were mainly a two-man show when it came to wide receivers. The Jackson-Spencer duo combined for 127 catches, 1,547 yards and 10 touchdowns, and no other Minnesota wideout had more than 18 grabs.

Jump ahead to 2025 training camp, and the roles of the Gophers wide receivers could look drastically different than they did a year ago. Instead of Spencer’s Robin to Jackson’s Batman, a cast of several is expected to vie for playing time.

“It’s unique this year,” Greg Harbaugh Jr., who’s entering his third year as Gophers offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, said after Tuesday’s practice at Huntington Bank Stadium. “We’re a job-based offense. We have a number of different players that we can put in a lot of different spots — running backs, tight ends. The wideout group is no different."

That’s been apparent in the two training camp practices that media members have been permitted to attend. On Saturday, it was Miami (Ohio) transfer Javon Tracy and UCLA transfer Logan Loya who stood out. On Tuesday, Jalen Smith, a redshirt freshman and former Mankato West standout, caught two long touchdown passes in either 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 drills.

“You look at last year’s offense, and Daniel was the focal point,” Harbaugh said. “… Now it’s a system where we can place these guys where they fit best, where they fit the scheme and how they operate."

Harbaugh deploys a wideout group that includes a quartet of transfers in Tracy, Loya, Cristian Driver (Penn State) and Malachi Coleman (Nebraska). Fifth-year senior Le’Meke Brockington is the leading returning receiver, with 18 catches last year and 34 for 558 yards and three TDs in his career. Kenric Lanier II and Donielle Hayes are third-year sophomores with a combined three catches who are looking to rise in the pecking order.

There’s a wild card in the group, too: safety Koi Perich, who’s also working with the offense and is certain to have the ball in his hands on offense this season.

“You saw a number of different guys catch balls today, whether it was a running back, a wideout,” Harbaugh said. “Those things are going to be critical for how we are able to be explosive and be efficient as well.”

On Tuesday, it was Smith supplying the explosive plays, twice beating his defender to take a long pass from Lindsey.

“Jalen’s come out of his shell a lot,” Lindsey said. “When he first got here, he was kind of a quiet kid. … He’s really gotten comfortable. He’s grown a lot as a player, as a person. … He’s really starting to showcase his talents and what he can bring to our football team."

Harbaugh has challenged his offensive players, particularly Lindsey, with detailed packages that he believes will pay off. Lindsey, known for his study habits, continues to bounce information off Max Brosmer, the former Gophers QB and current Viking who attended Tuesday’s practice.

“He’s doing more [adjustments] at the line of scrimmage than Max was. That’s by design,” Harbaugh said of Lindsey. “He can handle it. It’s exciting because he’s been able to get our offense in great situations.”