Battle to protect Drake Lindsey’s blind side heats up with season one week away

Gophers coach P.J. Fleck doesn’t officially name his starting lineup during training camp, nor does he release a depth chart during the season. So, identifying Minnesota’s key battles for starting jobs for the Aug. 28 season opener against Buffalo requires reading into the coaching staff’s comments and some educated guessing based on observations of three practices that were open to media members.

With that in mind, here are five key offensive battles for the Gophers, plus one on special teams:

Judging by practice reps, the job of protecting quarterback Drake Lindsey’s blind side will come down to either redshirt freshman Nathan Roy or redshirt sophomore Kahlee Tafai, a transfer from Washington. Roy, a 6-5, 305-pounder from Mukwanago, Wis., was practicing with the first team during the Aug. 2 open practice but suffered what appeared to be a leg injury. He missed the second open practice but returned for the third last Tuesday in a limited role.

Tafai, 6-5 and 340, didn’t participate in spring practice because of offseason surgery but has worked with the first team in training camp with Roy sidelined. Fleck likes what he’s seen.

“His mental toughness, he’s really built himself,” Fleck said. “… We had to expedite this process, but it still had to be a process. You couldn’t throw him into the fire.’’

With Lindsey established, if not formally announced, as the starting quarterback, the Gophers want to have someone ready to step in if Lindsey is sidelined. Old Dominion transfer Emmett Morehead, Virginia Tech transfer Dylan Wittke and redshirt sophomore Max Shikenjanski are battling for the backup job. Shikenjanski’s advantage is that he’s entering his third year in offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr.’s system. Morehead’s edge is his four career starts at Boston College, which he attended from 2021-23. True freshman Jackson Kollock likely will be redshirted.

This isn’t as much as a backup situation as it is a committee behind starter Darius Taylor. Two transfers — A.J. Turner from Miami (Ohio) and Cam Davis from Washington — combine with redshirt freshman Fame Ijeboi to form a versatile group. The three have taken turns in making big plays during the practice sessions open to the media, and Ijeboi in particular has shown improvement from his true freshman season. Look for carries — and catches — from this group to come from whichever player has the hot hand.

Like running back, wideout could begin the season with several players contributing. Javon Tracy could emerge as WR1, and Logan Loya appears destined for the slot job. After that, senior Le’Meke Brockington has the most experience in Harbaugh’s offense and has a leadership role.

The wild card of the group might be redshirt freshman Jalen Smith, the former Mankato West standout. Smith has turned heads in training camp, catching deep passes from Lindsey and showing the ability to get open. “A lot of people don’t know much about him,” Fleck said of Smith, “but they’re gonna find out really quick.”

Notably absent has been Cristian Driver, who did not practice in the Aug. 5 and 12 sessions that were open to the media.

Dragan Kesich and his big left leg have moved on, so the Gophers must find a replacement for their two-year starter who was the 2023 Big Ten kicker of the year. The top candidates are Syracuse transfer Brady Denaburg and true freshman Daniel Jackson of Alexandria, Minn.