December 8 2017 - Official Visitors / Walk-Ons List

If not Jason Dickson, then I'd love to have Randon Haynes.
 

I know this has been discussed, but we have 24 current commits. We can take a max of 28 correct? Meaning we only have 4 slots left?

Ideally:
Craig Williams
Curtis Dunlop
Jason Dickinson
TBD: DB or QB

I don't know all the rules (there are NCAA rules plus on top of that B10 rules), but if a player (e.g. the JUCOs) enroll at the U for the January semester, then I think they can count against the 2017 numbers versus 2018. Plus there's also the grayshirt and blueshirt options.
 

Thirty players are listed on the latest OV list which include PWOs.

It does not include:
Verdis Brown
Craig Williams
Taiyon Palmer
John Waggoner

Things may change.
 

Is this December 8th "mass-visit" a regular thing or is this new?

Have we done it before where everyone shows up same day or is this a PJ idea?

New thing with PJ and has a lot to do with the early signing date. Idea is to get all the kids in shortly before the early signing date on December 20 and firm up the commitments.
 

Is this December 8th "mass-visit" a regular thing or is this new?

Have we done it before where everyone shows up same day or is this a PJ idea?

It's new because of the early signing date. PJ has said he wants 2018 mostly done in December, so he can focus January, February on 2019's which has traditionally been the close of the incoming year's group.
That'd be a huge head start advantage to the 2019 class!!

It's a great idea and will be a great advantage because he got so many commitments early. Teams with their traditional 15 guys at this point, won't be able to do that. Plus, the bonding, fun, excitement of them being altogether should be a great experience and benefit. It's like the BBQ. We always have huge gains come out of it. This will inspire guys and make them excited to be Gophers, I think.
 


It will be interesting what strategies will be adopted by all the teams with the new early signing date.

IMHO, it benefits northern midwestern teams where they can lock in recruits early and not worry about the extra month or so where they are vulnerable to poaching. They can start focusing their attention to the 2019 recruiting.

For recruits, it means they don't have to worry about being dropped when a better recruits shows up.

It will be nicer if you have earlier NSD when the weather is nice, not cold wintry weather.
 

Thirty players are listed on the latest OV list which include PWOs.

It does not include:
Verdis Brown
Craig Williams
Taiyon Palmer
John Waggoner

Things may change.
I'd be surprised if at least 1 of those guys doesn't end up visiting. Should see a more accurate visitor list about midweek.
 

It will be an interesting and exciting next five days (and 17 days 'till early NSD - Dec. 20)!!!

I'd like to think that with Zack Annexstad as a PWO that they won't think a HS QB is a very high priority.

I'd like to see them go after HS/JUCO OLs - Curtis Dunlop, Verdis Brown (don't know his interest), Jason Dickson, Randon Haynes. At least any two of these guys. Preferably 1 HS and 1 JUCO.

If available, I'd like for them to go after skilled position players like RB Craig Williams (current Baylor commit), CB Taiyon Palmer (Duke decommit), or Iowas HS WDE John Waggoner.

OLs position of needs, the others the best available players who may have expressed interest in the Gophers.

There is going to be some scholie, gray shirts, etc... juggling.

If they can get all early NSD commitments, they can focus on 2019 early.

Potentially, if PJ Fleck is a magician, maybe a recruiting class better than top 30.
 





247Sports Top Targets, and from posts by other people somewhere in GH.
 

It will be interesting what strategies will be adopted by all the teams with the new early signing date.

IMHO, it benefits northern midwestern teams where they can lock in recruits early and not worry about the extra month or so where they are vulnerable to poaching. They can start focusing their attention to the 2019 recruiting.

For recruits, it means they don't have to worry about being dropped when a better recruits shows up.

It will be nicer if you have earlier NSD when the weather is nice, not cold wintry weather.

How were you thinking it might benefit northern schools? I'm thinking it will help the northern schools with the kids from down south. For example with guys like Nate Andrews.
 




How were you thinking it might benefit northern schools? I'm thinking it will help the northern schools with the kids from down south. For example with guys like Nate Andrews.

Precisely.
 

I wonder if we'll see a big group official visit like this every year? Or is it done this way this year because the practice facilities are now nearly complete?
 

Who knows? This is the first year of early NSD.

PJ Fleck likes may want to get a head start into the next class recruiting.

It might also be for the recruits to have a fun time to get to know each other and the current players to get a feel for Gopher Football. Think of a better recruiter - the kids themselves.
 

What happens to the scholarships for the guys that are transferring out? Can those be added to the 2018 total, or how does that work?
 

What happens to the scholarships for the guys that are transferring out? Can those be added to the 2018 total, or how does that work?

No, you get 25 with 3 bonus scholarships if you didn't use them all the year prior is my understanding......so we don't get to fill our roster one for one if others leave
 

What happens to the scholarships for the guys that are transferring out? Can those be added to the 2018 total, or how does that work?

I believe they can be given to walk-on in upper classes up to the total of 85 on the roster. That's my guess.
 

I believe they can be given to walk-on in upper classes up to the total of 85 on the roster. That's my guess.

I understand the player must at least be in second year PWO standing. And aren't they for one year at a time?
 

Official Visits Update 12/4/2017 Per 247 Sports:

Notable Targets OVs Dec. 8:

Curtis Dunlop - IMG Academy FLA, OG 6'4" 368 lbs, 0.9241
https://247sports.com/player/curtis-dunlap-83972

Jason Dickinson - Diablo Valley CC CA, OT 6'7" 295 lbs, 0.8528
https://247sports.com/player/jason-dickson-46039438

Unconfirmed scheduled visits Dec. 8:

Craig Williams - Crosby TX, APB 5'9" 170 lbs 0.8910, Current Baylor Commit
https://247sports.com/player/craig-williams-53431

Isaiah Bolden (Rivals.com) - Wesley Chapel FLA, CB 6'2" 175 lbs 0.9206, Current Oregon Commit
https://247sports.com/Player/Isaiah-Bolden-88682
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4442905/581e6eec688ec4e4a42ca696

Notable Targets OVs Dec. 15:

Randon Haynes - Tyler JC TX, OT 6'4" 330, 0.840
https://247sports.com/player/randon-haynes-64556

Nothing on OC Verdis Brown, CB Taiyon Palmer, and WDE John Waggoner
 

Official Visits Update 12/4/2017 Per 247 Sports:

Notable Targets OVs Dec. 8:

Curtis Dunlop - IMG Academy FLA, OG 6'4" 368 lbs, 0.9241
https://247sports.com/player/curtis-dunlap-83972

Jason Dickinson - Diablo Valley CC CA, OT 6'7" 295 lbs, 0.8528
https://247sports.com/player/jason-dickson-46039438

Unconfirmed scheduled visits Dec. 8:

Craig Williams - Crosby TX, APB 5'9" 170 lbs 0.8910, Current Baylor Commit
https://247sports.com/player/craig-williams-53431

Isaiah Bolden (Rivals.com) - Wesley Chapel FLA, CB 6'2" 175 lbs 0.9206, Current Oregon Commit
https://247sports.com/Player/Isaiah-Bolden-88682
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4442905/581e6eec688ec4e4a42ca696

Notable Targets OVs Dec. 15:

Randon Haynes - Tyler JC TX, OT 6'4" 330, 0.840
https://247sports.com/player/randon-haynes-64556

Nothing on OC Verdis Brown, CB Taiyon Palmer, and WDE John Waggoner

Going to be interesting to see what happens with Taggert and Oregon/FSU. At one point Bolden was committed to FSU so I am assuming this will be a tough get, but one I would absolutely love to land
 

Official Visits Update 12/4/2017 Per 247 Sports:

Notable Targets OVs Dec. 8:

Curtis Dunlop - IMG Academy FLA, OG 6'4" 368 lbs, 0.9241
https://247sports.com/player/curtis-dunlap-83972

Jason Dickinson - Diablo Valley CC CA, OT 6'7" 295 lbs, 0.8528
https://247sports.com/player/jason-dickson-46039438

Unconfirmed scheduled visits Dec. 8:

Craig Williams - Crosby TX, APB 5'9" 170 lbs 0.8910, Current Baylor Commit
https://247sports.com/player/craig-williams-53431

Isaiah Bolden (Rivals.com) - Wesley Chapel FLA, CB 6'2" 175 lbs 0.9206, Current Oregon Commit
https://247sports.com/Player/Isaiah-Bolden-88682
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4442905/581e6eec688ec4e4a42ca696

Notable Targets OVs Dec. 15:

Randon Haynes - Tyler JC TX, OT 6'4" 330, 0.840
https://247sports.com/player/randon-haynes-64556

Nothing on OC Verdis Brown, CB Taiyon Palmer, and WDE John Waggoner
That's a nice group. How many spots are open again?
 

Bolden isn't visiting. Palmer, Williams, and Dunlap is the ideal finish for the class I'd say.
 

How do some of you people know this stuff?

Are you secret staffers at the U?

People who have to order the food, etc?
 

Can the JUCO OLs count against the 2016 scholies if they enroll in January?
 

How do some of you people know this stuff?

Are you secret staffers at the U?

People who have to order the food, etc?

Gopher 247 subscriptions. I prefer to give away little bits of information instead of everything out of respect for the guys that run the 247 site.
 

How much is the monthly subscription? Is it worth it?
 

The Gophers are expecting 34 official visitors this weekend.

Steve Wiltfong - 3 hours ago

"Many of the Gophers preferred walk-on candidates will official in and there are four potential top targets that are also slated to come. Look for those names to trickle out as the week continues."

Could it be Curtis Dunlop, Jason Dickson, Craig Williams, and Taiyon Palmer after all?

"Keep an eye on the four-star Dunlap here. His quarterback at IMG Academy Zach Annexstad is one of those preferred walk-ons visiting this weekend and getting around this tight-knit group of commits is going to help Minnesota’s chances."

"The Gophers currently has the No. 6 ranked recruiting class in the Big Ten. This weekend the staff wants to put the finishing touches on 2018 so they can sign everyone on Dec. 20 and then look ahead to the 2019 class while others are still trying to shore up this senior class leading into the second signing day in February."

Vic Viramontes is not coming. He already used his official visit.

https://247sports.com/college/minnesota/Article/Minnesota-hosting-perhaps-biggest-official-visit-weekend-ever-111721209
 

IMHO, PJ Fleck landing one or two four star prospects in this class will enhance the chances of landing an even better recruiting class in 2019.

Prospects like Hank Bachmeier may seriously consider the Gophers as a good destination knowing that PJ Fleck can recruit to a higher level and probably enhance the chances that he and others like him see that the program is on the rise. They'd want to be a part of something big like this.
 




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