BleedGopher
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per Joe:
Still, relief has already set in for some players. Winfield’s father, Antoine Sr., had said in December that his son likely would transfer. On Friday, the fomer Vikings star said his son will return to the Gophers.
“He loves the program, so he definitely wanted to stay,” Antoine Winfield Sr. said.
Winfield Jr., played in 12 games for the Gophers last year as a freshman, starting nine, making 52 tackles and returning an interception 82 yards for a touchdown at Maryland.
Hardin was a starting cornerback. The Gophers already had to replace two other starting defensive backs — departing seniors Damarius Travis and Jalen Myrick. Without Winfield, Fleck would have had to replace all four starters.
“Obviously with some of the things going on, who knows how many defensive backs we’ll have going into spring ball and next season?” Fleck said Wednesday, after signing three DBs in his first recruiting class.
Buford was a key reserve at cornerback, so potentially losing him and Hardin still would hurt the team’s pass defense. But Shenault could have a chance to step in and start.
Green is another key player to watch, since the Gophers have to replace departing senior quarterback Mitch Leidner. After redshirting last fall, Green will have a chance to compete for the starting job this spring along with senior Conor Rhoda, redshirt sophomore Demry Croft and true freshman Tanner Morgan. It’s shaping up to be a wide-open competition.
Still, relief has already set in for some players. Winfield’s father, Antoine Sr., had said in December that his son likely would transfer. On Friday, the fomer Vikings star said his son will return to the Gophers.
“He loves the program, so he definitely wanted to stay,” Antoine Winfield Sr. said.
Winfield Jr., played in 12 games for the Gophers last year as a freshman, starting nine, making 52 tackles and returning an interception 82 yards for a touchdown at Maryland.
Hardin was a starting cornerback. The Gophers already had to replace two other starting defensive backs — departing seniors Damarius Travis and Jalen Myrick. Without Winfield, Fleck would have had to replace all four starters.
“Obviously with some of the things going on, who knows how many defensive backs we’ll have going into spring ball and next season?” Fleck said Wednesday, after signing three DBs in his first recruiting class.
Buford was a key reserve at cornerback, so potentially losing him and Hardin still would hurt the team’s pass defense. But Shenault could have a chance to step in and start.
Green is another key player to watch, since the Gophers have to replace departing senior quarterback Mitch Leidner. After redshirting last fall, Green will have a chance to compete for the starting job this spring along with senior Conor Rhoda, redshirt sophomore Demry Croft and true freshman Tanner Morgan. It’s shaping up to be a wide-open competition.