Today’s comments and responses by Coach Jerry Kill to questions posed by Sid Hartman and Dave Mona on ‘CCOs Sports Huddle – topics covered were the result of yesterday’s concluding spring scrimmage - are as follows:
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/502577?referrer_id=388419
1) Sid opened the segment asking Coach Kill for his assessment of the final spring scrimmage, which was played at TCF Bank Stadium: Kill answered, “The good thing we got to see a lot of kids play . . . It was a good experience (especially for freshmen and redshirt freshmen, according to Kill) . . . (play) wasn’t sloppy . . . Nobody got hurt is the big thing.”
He also said they’ll know a lot more about individual players (strengths and weaknesses) after they’ve reviewed the film of the final scrimmage as well as the spring practices.
2) Sid asked what players stood out in the scrimmage: Kill quickly answered Sid’s question by mentioning linebacker Jonathan Celestin from Jonesboro, Georgia. Kill’s assessment of Celestin’s play yesterday and this spring is very positive. He said he’s been working hard in practice and continues to show steady improvement
Other players that Kill mentioned are:
• Linebacker Cody Poock from Okoboji, Iowa, “stood out.”
• Wider receiver Isaiah Gentry from Cincinnati “can be a vertical threat.”
• Tyler Moore freshman center from Galena Park, Texas “did a nice job for us.” Kill sounded very pleased and upbeat with Tyler’s play yesterday and throughout the spring drills.”
• “Jeff Jones caught the ball.”
• Another player that caught the attention of the coaching staff was that of Matt Morse from Apple Valley, Minnesota. Morse, a walk-on wide receiver, caught a ball yesterday in the Gophers scrimmage.
3) Sid opined the Gopher defense had “an edge” on the offense: Not sounding concerned, Kill replied, “It always does in the spring.” He added that it’s been that way wherever he has coached and it’s that way at most schools across the country during spring ball.
Remaining positive, Kill said the offense had some good plays as did the defense; however, the important thing, “No one seriously hurt!”
4) Dave Mona mentioned the sound of hits put on by linebackers Julian Huff and Cody Poock: Kill acknowledged both players had had some big hits; however, because of earlier comments about Cody Poock, Kill focused his response on Julian Huff, “Julian came in early . . . has had a nice spring.”
In responding to Dave Mona’s statement about Julian Huff (high school transfer), Kill also cited three other transfers to the Gophers football program in January:
Julian’s twin brother Jacob Huff is a defensive back. The Huff twins are from Bolingbrook, Illinois.
JUCO transfer and defensive back Ace Rogers, who played at Iowa Western CC in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
“Can’t say enough about Tyler Moore,” said Kill. Again, there was positive excitement in Kill’s voice when he said Moore’s name.
5) Sid asked about the team’s middle linebackers: Sounding confident about the team’s linebacking corps Kill answered, “We got all of our linebackers returning, except Damien Wilson . . . Everett Williams didn’t play (yesterday) – death in the family.”
6) Dave Mona cited Ryan Santoso’s 56-yard field goal in yesterday’s scrimmage: Kill sounded confident and pleased with Santoso’s kicking and the team’s kicking game in general, “good kicker; good punter.”
7) Sid inquired about the play of Jeff Jones: “We’re playing him at running back and receiver . . . We’ll play him a bunch at receiver,” replied Kill. Again, Kill sounded positive when discussing Jones’ athletic ability, and not wanting to have a talented player standing on the sidelines. They expect Jones to be an asset at receiver and running back.
8) Sid asked about the “plain vanilla” play calling on offense, yesterday: “Nobody’s going to show (their) cards,” said Kill.
Another big takeaway for Coach Kill from yesterday’s scrimmage, besides no serious injuries, “Most important thing, we played a lot of kids.”
Kill in answering Sid’s query Kill emphasized the importance of spring ball, which is a time for teaching and getting underclassmen a lot of reps (ascertaining what they can do and what they need to work on).
9) Mona asked about running back Roderick Williams from Lewisville, Texas, and now having a slimmed down look: Kill answered, “He’s done a good job listening to the (team’s) nutritionist and has slimmed down . . . (Roderick Williams Jr. now weighs) 230-235 pounds . . . He’s a Big Ten back!”
Kill not only sounded pleased with Williams’ new weight and playing ability, but also the running back position in general.
10) Sid asked about the team’s back-up quarterbacks: Kill sounded pleased with yesterday’s effort and play by Chris Streveler – “Chris Streveler can really run” - and Conor Rhoda’s reps.
Jacques Perra did not play in yesterday’s scrimmage because of a hand injury.
11) Dave Mona asked about the difference in yesterday’s scrimmage and spring drills from his first year at Minnesota: Kill emphasized the big difference between the two squads – numbers and depth. “Each year we gained depth.”
In his response to Mona’s question, Kill also gave a hat-tip to the fans. He said there’s more support and interest in Gopher football, which helps motivate the team – wanting to do their best in practice and on the playing field.
12) Sid asked the final question, which was recruiting-related; the commitment of Sam Schlueter as well as the four earlier commitments. All five recruits are from Minnesota: Kill quickly replied saying that he can’t discuss the recruitment of individual players (NCAA rules) - until they’re officially signed. However, one could sense that Coach Kill is happy with their recruitment of players, thus far. “We’re working hard at it.”
He finished the question saying, “Our players are the best recruiters.”
Getting a recruit on campus is extremely important in recruiting, especially when they get a chance to interact with the players and hear what they players have to say about the team culture, coaching staff and the school and its environment.
Go Gophers!!
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/502577?referrer_id=388419
1) Sid opened the segment asking Coach Kill for his assessment of the final spring scrimmage, which was played at TCF Bank Stadium: Kill answered, “The good thing we got to see a lot of kids play . . . It was a good experience (especially for freshmen and redshirt freshmen, according to Kill) . . . (play) wasn’t sloppy . . . Nobody got hurt is the big thing.”
He also said they’ll know a lot more about individual players (strengths and weaknesses) after they’ve reviewed the film of the final scrimmage as well as the spring practices.
2) Sid asked what players stood out in the scrimmage: Kill quickly answered Sid’s question by mentioning linebacker Jonathan Celestin from Jonesboro, Georgia. Kill’s assessment of Celestin’s play yesterday and this spring is very positive. He said he’s been working hard in practice and continues to show steady improvement
Other players that Kill mentioned are:
• Linebacker Cody Poock from Okoboji, Iowa, “stood out.”
• Wider receiver Isaiah Gentry from Cincinnati “can be a vertical threat.”
• Tyler Moore freshman center from Galena Park, Texas “did a nice job for us.” Kill sounded very pleased and upbeat with Tyler’s play yesterday and throughout the spring drills.”
• “Jeff Jones caught the ball.”
• Another player that caught the attention of the coaching staff was that of Matt Morse from Apple Valley, Minnesota. Morse, a walk-on wide receiver, caught a ball yesterday in the Gophers scrimmage.
3) Sid opined the Gopher defense had “an edge” on the offense: Not sounding concerned, Kill replied, “It always does in the spring.” He added that it’s been that way wherever he has coached and it’s that way at most schools across the country during spring ball.
Remaining positive, Kill said the offense had some good plays as did the defense; however, the important thing, “No one seriously hurt!”
4) Dave Mona mentioned the sound of hits put on by linebackers Julian Huff and Cody Poock: Kill acknowledged both players had had some big hits; however, because of earlier comments about Cody Poock, Kill focused his response on Julian Huff, “Julian came in early . . . has had a nice spring.”
In responding to Dave Mona’s statement about Julian Huff (high school transfer), Kill also cited three other transfers to the Gophers football program in January:
Julian’s twin brother Jacob Huff is a defensive back. The Huff twins are from Bolingbrook, Illinois.
JUCO transfer and defensive back Ace Rogers, who played at Iowa Western CC in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
“Can’t say enough about Tyler Moore,” said Kill. Again, there was positive excitement in Kill’s voice when he said Moore’s name.
5) Sid asked about the team’s middle linebackers: Sounding confident about the team’s linebacking corps Kill answered, “We got all of our linebackers returning, except Damien Wilson . . . Everett Williams didn’t play (yesterday) – death in the family.”
6) Dave Mona cited Ryan Santoso’s 56-yard field goal in yesterday’s scrimmage: Kill sounded confident and pleased with Santoso’s kicking and the team’s kicking game in general, “good kicker; good punter.”
7) Sid inquired about the play of Jeff Jones: “We’re playing him at running back and receiver . . . We’ll play him a bunch at receiver,” replied Kill. Again, Kill sounded positive when discussing Jones’ athletic ability, and not wanting to have a talented player standing on the sidelines. They expect Jones to be an asset at receiver and running back.
8) Sid asked about the “plain vanilla” play calling on offense, yesterday: “Nobody’s going to show (their) cards,” said Kill.
Another big takeaway for Coach Kill from yesterday’s scrimmage, besides no serious injuries, “Most important thing, we played a lot of kids.”
Kill in answering Sid’s query Kill emphasized the importance of spring ball, which is a time for teaching and getting underclassmen a lot of reps (ascertaining what they can do and what they need to work on).
9) Mona asked about running back Roderick Williams from Lewisville, Texas, and now having a slimmed down look: Kill answered, “He’s done a good job listening to the (team’s) nutritionist and has slimmed down . . . (Roderick Williams Jr. now weighs) 230-235 pounds . . . He’s a Big Ten back!”
Kill not only sounded pleased with Williams’ new weight and playing ability, but also the running back position in general.
10) Sid asked about the team’s back-up quarterbacks: Kill sounded pleased with yesterday’s effort and play by Chris Streveler – “Chris Streveler can really run” - and Conor Rhoda’s reps.
Jacques Perra did not play in yesterday’s scrimmage because of a hand injury.
11) Dave Mona asked about the difference in yesterday’s scrimmage and spring drills from his first year at Minnesota: Kill emphasized the big difference between the two squads – numbers and depth. “Each year we gained depth.”
In his response to Mona’s question, Kill also gave a hat-tip to the fans. He said there’s more support and interest in Gopher football, which helps motivate the team – wanting to do their best in practice and on the playing field.
12) Sid asked the final question, which was recruiting-related; the commitment of Sam Schlueter as well as the four earlier commitments. All five recruits are from Minnesota: Kill quickly replied saying that he can’t discuss the recruitment of individual players (NCAA rules) - until they’re officially signed. However, one could sense that Coach Kill is happy with their recruitment of players, thus far. “We’re working hard at it.”
He finished the question saying, “Our players are the best recruiters.”
Getting a recruit on campus is extremely important in recruiting, especially when they get a chance to interact with the players and hear what they players have to say about the team culture, coaching staff and the school and its environment.
Go Gophers!!
