Minnesota’s Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator, Tracy Claeys, sat in for Head Coach Jerry Kill on today’s Sports Huddle. Coach Kill is enjoying a happy, busy weekend with the marriage of his daughter.
1) Sid’s first question to Claeys was about the team’s defense, if the season were start tomorrow:
“Good thing – defensively – playing a lot of kids,” Claeys said. “Practice in spring, as much depth since we’ve been here . . . four seniors in secondary have played.”
Claeys sounded excited when talking about the secondary. He said the players backing up the four seniors have seen action as well – experience and depth in the secondary.
Claeys also sounded upbeat when discussing the team’s linebackers. Players mentioned: Everett Williams, Cody Poock, De’Vondre Campbell, and Julian Huff. Claeys said Williams, Poock, Huff “had a great spring" when he was citing the players individually.
2) Sid opined Claeys is high on this year’s secondary:
Claeys quickly replied, “Yeah . . . Need kids that can tackle in space (because of the spread offenses that they encounter);” the four starting seniors are good tacklers.
3) Sid asked if any redshirts will be playing this fall on defense:
Claeys quickly answered, “Didn’t redshirt a lot last year.” Because of injuries most of the first-year (2014) freshmen on defense saw action.
Claeys sounded pleased and happy with the return of Scott Ekpe and Nick Rallis from their knee surgeries.
Claeys was very positive and upbeat when discussing the defensive side of the ball (his responsibility) – again, talent and depth.
4) Dave Mona mentioned the sound of hard hitting that Julian Huff displayed at linebacker in spring drills and the final scrimmage/game. Huff is 5-ll and 219 pounds:
“He really does, (hit hard),”Claeys answered. “He brings intensity and has instinct.”
Although Julian Huff is shorter in physical stature in comparison to most linebackers at the FBS level, Julian overcomes any size deficiencies with his attitude, hard hitting and instinctive play, according to Claeys.
Claeys concluded the topic, “Julian can help on special teams” as well as at linebacker.
5) Sid mentioned the recent success of Gopher recruiting in the state of Minnesota:
“We’ve put in a lot of effort in the state,” replied Claeys. Because of post-season appearances in bowl games, especially playing in a January-One bowl at Orlando, Florida, and having winning seasons has created interest in the Gopher program: “(Minnesota) Kids and parents are excited with the program.”
6) Dave Mona raised the topic of summer camps and their value in recruiting quality players that may have gone unnoticed or are not heavily recruited. He cited Eric Murray as being a big-time player that hadn’t been noticed until his camp at Minnesota five years ago. Eric Murray, according to Mona, shut down a top receiver at his camp:
“Nothing better than live evaluation . . . . You pick up kids not highly valued in the media,” Claeys said.
Claeys also said most of the on-road recruiting that he completed this spring was at southern schools that have spring football. As a result, he was afforded the opportunity to conduct live evaluations.
Stressing the importance of live evaluation at the summer camps at Minnesota, Claeys said high school “kids up north” have chance to show their athletic abilities at the camps.
7) Sid asked about this year’s in-coming freshmen squad:
Claeys replied, “Filled the needs we have . . . Try to replace (players) with someone better.” The upgrade of recruited players is the recipe for a winning football program.
He concluded the topic saying the kids that the team lost through graduation have been replaced by quality players. The in-coming defensive recruits are the most physical and athletic group on video, according to Tracy Claeys. Of course, time will tell on the playing field.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid’s first question to Claeys was about the team’s defense, if the season were start tomorrow:
“Good thing – defensively – playing a lot of kids,” Claeys said. “Practice in spring, as much depth since we’ve been here . . . four seniors in secondary have played.”
Claeys sounded excited when talking about the secondary. He said the players backing up the four seniors have seen action as well – experience and depth in the secondary.
Claeys also sounded upbeat when discussing the team’s linebackers. Players mentioned: Everett Williams, Cody Poock, De’Vondre Campbell, and Julian Huff. Claeys said Williams, Poock, Huff “had a great spring" when he was citing the players individually.
2) Sid opined Claeys is high on this year’s secondary:
Claeys quickly replied, “Yeah . . . Need kids that can tackle in space (because of the spread offenses that they encounter);” the four starting seniors are good tacklers.
3) Sid asked if any redshirts will be playing this fall on defense:
Claeys quickly answered, “Didn’t redshirt a lot last year.” Because of injuries most of the first-year (2014) freshmen on defense saw action.
Claeys sounded pleased and happy with the return of Scott Ekpe and Nick Rallis from their knee surgeries.
Claeys was very positive and upbeat when discussing the defensive side of the ball (his responsibility) – again, talent and depth.
4) Dave Mona mentioned the sound of hard hitting that Julian Huff displayed at linebacker in spring drills and the final scrimmage/game. Huff is 5-ll and 219 pounds:
“He really does, (hit hard),”Claeys answered. “He brings intensity and has instinct.”
Although Julian Huff is shorter in physical stature in comparison to most linebackers at the FBS level, Julian overcomes any size deficiencies with his attitude, hard hitting and instinctive play, according to Claeys.
Claeys concluded the topic, “Julian can help on special teams” as well as at linebacker.
5) Sid mentioned the recent success of Gopher recruiting in the state of Minnesota:
“We’ve put in a lot of effort in the state,” replied Claeys. Because of post-season appearances in bowl games, especially playing in a January-One bowl at Orlando, Florida, and having winning seasons has created interest in the Gopher program: “(Minnesota) Kids and parents are excited with the program.”
6) Dave Mona raised the topic of summer camps and their value in recruiting quality players that may have gone unnoticed or are not heavily recruited. He cited Eric Murray as being a big-time player that hadn’t been noticed until his camp at Minnesota five years ago. Eric Murray, according to Mona, shut down a top receiver at his camp:
“Nothing better than live evaluation . . . . You pick up kids not highly valued in the media,” Claeys said.
Claeys also said most of the on-road recruiting that he completed this spring was at southern schools that have spring football. As a result, he was afforded the opportunity to conduct live evaluations.
Stressing the importance of live evaluation at the summer camps at Minnesota, Claeys said high school “kids up north” have chance to show their athletic abilities at the camps.
7) Sid asked about this year’s in-coming freshmen squad:
Claeys replied, “Filled the needs we have . . . Try to replace (players) with someone better.” The upgrade of recruited players is the recipe for a winning football program.
He concluded the topic saying the kids that the team lost through graduation have been replaced by quality players. The in-coming defensive recruits are the most physical and athletic group on video, according to Tracy Claeys. Of course, time will tell on the playing field.
Go Gophers!!
You are one of my favs, DL!