This probably won't help, but I see this (incorrect) narrative all over of how the Gophers are somehow secretly in better long term shape than other schools because of their youth. I am sure I will continue to see it, but anyways here's 3 examples of coaches that came in at the same time as Ben Johnson:
Penn State: Penn State brought in the same number of kids as Minnesota did in the 2022 class (5) and had a higher average recruit ranking. Kebba Njie (no.3) and Jameel Brown (no.5) were two of the top 5 highest rated commits of "all time" (I believe it goes back to 2000) for Penn State. None of these kids showed what Payne did for Minnesota, but Njie and Kanye Clary were rotation players. For 2023, Penn State has 3 kids committed, the 32nd rated class in the nation, and their number 2 recruit of "all time"
Iowa State: Iowa State's class ranked ahead of Minnesota's despite bringing in 3 kids as opposed to Minnesota's 5. Their starting PG on a team that had a bunch of huge wins was their freshman in Tamin Lipsey. Lipsey is every bit the building block for ISU that Payne is at Minnesota. The other 2 recruits were the much discussed Minnesota kids in King and Watson. For 2023, ISU has 4 kids committed, the 7th overall class in the nation, their number 1 recruit of "all time" and their number 3 recuit of "all time"
Marquette: Marquette's freshman class ranked below Minnesota's, but they only had 3 kids. However one of those kids ranked just above Payne and another ranked above everyone else in Minnesota's class besides Payne. All 3 played between 8 and 16 minutes per game (per Bref) on a team that won the Big East. For 2023, Marquette has 3 kids signed and the 23rd class in the nation. Unlike PSU and ISU, the majority of their nucleus will be back for 2023 as well.
All of these teams were miles better than Minnesota in '22 and all of these teams have more young talent for the '23 season and beyond.
Penn State: Penn State brought in the same number of kids as Minnesota did in the 2022 class (5) and had a higher average recruit ranking. Kebba Njie (no.3) and Jameel Brown (no.5) were two of the top 5 highest rated commits of "all time" (I believe it goes back to 2000) for Penn State. None of these kids showed what Payne did for Minnesota, but Njie and Kanye Clary were rotation players. For 2023, Penn State has 3 kids committed, the 32nd rated class in the nation, and their number 2 recruit of "all time"
Iowa State: Iowa State's class ranked ahead of Minnesota's despite bringing in 3 kids as opposed to Minnesota's 5. Their starting PG on a team that had a bunch of huge wins was their freshman in Tamin Lipsey. Lipsey is every bit the building block for ISU that Payne is at Minnesota. The other 2 recruits were the much discussed Minnesota kids in King and Watson. For 2023, ISU has 4 kids committed, the 7th overall class in the nation, their number 1 recruit of "all time" and their number 3 recuit of "all time"
Marquette: Marquette's freshman class ranked below Minnesota's, but they only had 3 kids. However one of those kids ranked just above Payne and another ranked above everyone else in Minnesota's class besides Payne. All 3 played between 8 and 16 minutes per game (per Bref) on a team that won the Big East. For 2023, Marquette has 3 kids signed and the 23rd class in the nation. Unlike PSU and ISU, the majority of their nucleus will be back for 2023 as well.
All of these teams were miles better than Minnesota in '22 and all of these teams have more young talent for the '23 season and beyond.