Here are my notes, to add to GopherLady's initial post...
-Yes, he did talk about Edwards, emphasizing the fact that he's a Minnesota guy who wanted to be a Minnesota guy. (This was stressed for every Gopher commit from Minnesota...now it may add more context than it did at the time) When talking about Edwards, he mentioned that if he were playing in Texas or Florida, he would have had 100 offers to schools across the country. 4.48 40-Yard dash time. Played in seven games as a senior, but logged a 1,000 yard season for Woodbury.
-The goals of this season's recruiting were to improve the depth and athleticism of the offensive and defensive lines...Brewster commented that he believes they accomplished that. Here are some additional players and more notes about each player...
-Tyrone Bouie: 6-0, 170 LB Defensive Back from Sanford, Florida: Specifically mentioned his great size for a cornerback (this was a perpetual statement, as Brewster emphasized their addition of height in the defensive backfield). Clocked at 4.62 in the 40-yard dash
-Matt Eggen: 6-5, 290 LB Offensive Lineman from LaCrosse, Wisconsin: One of the finest players in Wisconsin; again, offensive line was a focus, and this was one of the best pick-ups at that position. Is particularly good in pass protection
-Zac Epping: 6-2, 274 LB Offensive Lineman from Kenosha, Wisconsin: He fell one vote short of being the Wisconsin Player of the Year; Brewster said he would most likely be a center prospect in the future. Won the Alan Ameche Award as the top player in Kenosha County
-Tiree Eure: 6-7, 245 LB Tight End from Allentown, Pennsylvania, via Lackawanna College: Will come in as a tight end; will most likely be in the running to replace Nick Tow-Arnett at that position from the start. He was ranked the #7 junior college tight end in the nation by some recruiting services. Is solid at both blocking and receiving. Had offers from Colorado, Connecticut, Purdue, Rutgers and Syracuse
• Sean Ferguson – already enrolled in school. Post-grad student in Princeton, NJ. He is on campus right now...He plays very long at defensive end, as Brewster described. He was ranked as high as the #39 player in the country by some recruiting services. Is considered a solid run-stopper, and his long arms will create traffic in the passing lanes
• Jimmy Gjere – One of the top offensive lineman in the country, represented his school and state that the Army All-American game. 305 pounds, will probably be 310 or 315 pounds. Also an ice hockey player, very athletic. From the state of Minnesota, and considered the #2 player in the state of Minnesota (and the top player from Minnesota to commit to the Gophers). Built to be particularly good in pass protection, due to his long arms and wingspan.
• Marquise Hill – from Missouri, wide receiver. Could possibly play on the defensive side. Very athletic and explosive. Highly recruited young guy. 4.49 40-yard dash time. Possible return specialist due to his explosiveness. Had offers from Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, UCLA and Wisconsin.
-Logan Hutton: 6-1, 190 LB Receiver from La Marque, Texas: Considered a versatile wide receiver with good size and speed. Has been timed at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He is considered a receiver that can make a tough catch. His brother, Lee Hutton, also played for the Gophers, and is now a Minneapolis attorney.
• Donnell Kirkwood – from Florida, 5’10” 197 pounds. Running back – downhill running tailback. Considered a Top-50 running back by many recruiting services, including Tom Lemming, who ranked him as the 18th best running back in the country. Good between-the-tackles back, who can run through initial contact.
• Harold Leguena – 6’3”, 290lbs from New Orleans. Taller Defensive tackle. He is said to have a good motor, and is able to drive the offensive blocker into the backfield with his size and speed.
• Marek Lenkiewicz – from Tinley Park, offensive lineman, 276 pounds, great length, size athleticism. These Offensive lineman are the future
• Christyn Lewis – On campus right now, 6’2” cornerback. Like how he tackles, he’s physicality and great at man to man. Like his size a lot
• James Manuel – from Indianapolis, safety, 6’2”, 200 lbs. Played in Hawaii All-Star game. He is considered to play the deep ball well, and has good timing when playing the ball, allowing him to have a good presence when deflecting and intercepting passes
• Dwayne Mitchell – From New Orleans, he is under 4.6 in the 40. Set a state record for sacks in Louisiana. Great pass rusher. Is said to have a great first step, and a great motor.
• Tommy Parish – From Heartland, WI. 6’3”, 200 lbs, bright kid that came to Minnesota, even though he had family that went to Wisconsin. Smart young guy, throws ball well, from a good high school program. Looked for captains, and guys that played for winning teams, and that’s what they got in this class. Is said to have the ability to buy extra time with his legs and can run with the ball. Good in play-action. Is very accurate.
• Ben Perry – from Dallas, Texas. One of the most winning programs in the state of Texas, 6’6”, 235 pounds. Great growth potential, could be a defensive tackle as well. He’s a bright student.
• J.D. Pride Jr. – 6’1”, 190 pounds from Totino Grace. He wanted to stay at home and play for the U. His upside is excellent, led Totino as a leader. Has a 4.52 40-yard dash time. His father, Dexter Pride Sr. played for the Gophers, as well as his uncle and his cousins, Marion Barber II, Marion Barber III and Dominique Barber.
• Johnathan Ragoo – from Miami, Offensive tackle, will help a lot in the OL. Moves extremely well, runs down the basketball court well. NFL scouts believe he has the build to be an NFL lineman.
• Wilie Tatum – 6’3”, 205 pounds, great speed, length, athleticism. Considered a Hybrid Outside Linebacker, and is considered a natural pass rusher, due to his ability to get to the edge quickly
• Josh Tauaefa – Active guy, explosive, runner to the football. Gives some height and size we need. He is considered a player that does not shy away from contact, and is tough to move.
• Herschel Thornton – Safety will be here in June. Has the size, speed, etc. Has the ability to blitz and get to the passer; he is also considered solid when needed in run defense support.
• Dwight Tillman – Corner from Pennsylvania. Is a player that has a nose for the football, and has good ball-carrying ability after making an interception. Also can close quickly on the ball.
• Brock Vereen – 6’0”, 175 lbs, brother was the running back at Cal. Plays man to man, physical. 4.45 40-yard Dash time. Can play man-to-man coverage and zone defenses equally as well. Can also provide and contribute on special teams.
• Devon Wright – from Miami, 6 foot, 190lb tailback. Player of the year in Broward County. His is a tailback. Ranked as high as the 22nd running back in the nation by some recruiting services. Is a great ball-handler, allowing him not only to run the ball well, but can catch the ball well also. Has good vision, is more of a slashing-type of running back. Has a 4.5 40-yard dash time.
-There will probably be 1 or 2 or 3 players added to this group. Josh Campion will start school in June, the Gophers had signed him last year. Solid class from top to bottom. This will help us work our team towards a championship football team.
-The good part of the group will redshirt, but some will be able to help starting next year. Very please with this group of kids, particularly from the leadership perspective
-Brewster said that this class has a great academic profile as well as athletic
-When asked whether TCF Bank Stadium was a factor in recruiting this year, Brewster replied that "TCF Bank Stadium is the finest stadium in the country," and that it definitely helped in recruiting efforts this season
-He also credited his good relationships with Minnesota's high school coaches in helping to build this year's class
-When asked about the issues regarding the de-commitments of so many players this year, Brewster felt that an early signing period is necessary in college football, citing that college basketball has one, and that that sport sees much less de-committing and that it would work for football as well
-He made the point when talking about Minnesota players committing to the Gophers that they are guys that want to be here. He also mentioned that he understands not all players want to leave home after high school, and that it's his and his staff's jobs to convince them that everything they need is in Minnesota
