There’s no doubt that the University of Minnesota Gophers football team had a disappointing 2023 season. Picked as a contender for the Big Ten West title, they wilted in the second half of the year and finished with a 6-7 record. Amazingly, their work in the classroom earned them a trip to the Quick Lane Bowl, where they defeated Bowling Green 30-24.
Breakdowns in the defensive backfield and spotty special teams play were among the reasons for the disappointing finish. But another major factor was the inefficiency of the passing game. When the Gophers were forced into a third-and-long situations, quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis just couldn’t make the big play when it counted. Something had to change.
Enter Max Brosmer
Benched for the Bowl Game, Kaliakmanis left town and headed for Rutgers University. But this left the Gophers in quite a pickle. Backup quarterback Cole Kramer passed on his last year of eligibility to start the next chapter of his life with his new bride. So Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck reached into the transfer portal and pulled out a gem. And that gem was Max Brosmer from the University of New Hampshire.
Brosmer had an outstanding season for the Wildcats in 2023. He led the FCS with 3,449 passing yards and connected on 29 touchdown passes while only throwing six interceptions. In addition, he scored five touchdowns on the ground for New Hampshire. He has been described as intelligent, poised, and a true leader. His new Gophers teammates have so much respect for him that they named him one of the captains for the next season before he even played a down for the team.
Darius Taylor is a Serious Ground Threat
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So, what other weapons will the Gophers deploy to assist Brosmer as they battle a more formidable group of Big Ten opponents? It starts with last year’s super freshman running back, Darius Taylor. Taylor started his freshman year with a bang, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors in three consecutive weeks.
Although he was bothered by injuries in the second half of the season, he topped his season off by being named the Quick Lane Bowl MVP. Big things are expected of him in 2024. He did leave the practice field today limping but Fleck indicated he didn’t think it was serious.
Gophers Have Great Potential in Their Receiving Corps
There is great enthusiasm and some questions about the Gophers’ receiving corps. One given is that wide receiver Daniel Jackson will be a huge part of the passing attack. Kaliakmanis’ favorite target last season, Jackson led the team with 59 receptions, 831 receiving yards, and 8 touchdown receptions. For his efforts, he was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team.
Other receiving targets include returnees Le’Meke Brockington and Elijah Spencer, who both showed flashes of brilliance last year. Coach Fleck is also excited about transfers Tyler Williams (Georgia) and Cristian Driver (Penn State). And there are several younger receivers like Kenric Lanier II and T.J. McWilliams who are anxiously waiting for their time in the spotlight.
Gophers Watch List
Several Gopher players are getting shoutouts on the College Football Preseason Watch Lists. Taylor was named to the Maxwell Award watch list. The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the outstanding player in college football. Left tackle Aireontae Ersery was included on the Outland Trophy list, which goes to the outstanding interior lineman in collegiate football. And prolific placekicker Dragan Kesich is a Lou Groza Trophy contender.
Other players receiving preseason recognition include Daniel Jackson, who is part of the Biletnikoff Award list (outstanding FBS receiver), and defensive lineman Darnell Jefferies, who is on the watch list for the Comeback Player of the Year Award. And finally, linebacker Cody Lindenberg is getting Chuck Bednarik Award preseason notice as an outstanding college defensive player candidate.
The Gophers may have a daunting schedule this season, but they have the talent to be competitive in a loaded Big Ten Conference.
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