Demetrius Douglas is leaving the Gophers program

[GopherWeatherGuy]

 

[GopherFanatic19]

I wonder with Bateman coming back if this played into it.

 

[WriterGoph]

Can't really argue with his change of priorities. He wasn't going to be an NFL guy and he will get his degree in a couple months. Always will remember his huge punt return for a TD against Sconny!

 

[Governor Sibley]

Bummer.

Big catch against Georgia Southern.

 

[howeda7]

Too bad. Timing seems odd. Why not play the season and then transfer?

 

[Cedar Rapids Gopher]

I'm not sure he is transferring. To me it sounded like he was done with football.

 

[die hard gopher]

I wonder with Bateman coming back if this played into it.

This was in the works before Bateman decided to come back.

 

[MplsGopher]

Too bad. Timing seems odd. Why not play the season and then transfer?

Heart not in it? Not much playing time?

Your question will make more sense to me if he decides to grad transfer somewhere and then play on that team, probably at a lower level to hopefully get more playing time.

 

[die hard gopher]

Heart not in it? Not much playing time?

Your question would make more sense to me if he decided to grad transfer somewhere and then play on that team, probably at a lower level to hopefully get more playing time.

Sounds like he had other interests outside of football.

 

[MplsGopher]

Regardless, GOOD LUCK to him!!

 

[noamfromm]

Heart not in it? Not much playing time?

Your question will make more sense to me if he decides to grad transfer somewhere and then play on that team, probably at a lower level to hopefully get more playing time.

My assumption would be that he was beaten out by multiple people for the 3rd receiver spot and decided that being around the team was too risky if he wasn't going to play.

 

[noamfromm]

Sounds like he had other interests outside of football.

He is very into photography. I remember looking at his twitter or instagram once and came away with the impression that he was much more than a football player.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Sad stuff

 

[whalenfan]

This has been known for quite awhile. He left the team before Bateman announced his plans and before he could even be beat out by any other wrs. Hes not transferring either, he just has other interests and is retiring from football.

 

[salzie]

good luck to the young man

 

[#2Gopher]

Sad stuff

Have to disagree with you on this one. Sure it may be sad he won't be around. However he has his act together as to getting a degree, probably putting together a plan/dream that he wants to do. Since football wasn't a major part of his future he decided to pursue opportunities as they come. Thats a good thing so lets be happy for him that he got his head screwed on right!

 

[HoustonTXGopher]

All the best to DD!

 

[Mulligan]

Have to disagree with you on this one. Sure it may be sad he won't be around. However he has his act together as to getting a degree, probably putting together a plan/dream that he wants to do. Since football wasn't a major part of his future he decided to pursue opportunities as they come. Thats a good thing so lets be happy for him that he got his head screwed on right!

Exactly. He's going to graduate and can't wait to get on with the rest of his life. It isn't the perception now, but until pro football grew into a monster the main rationales for having college football were things like establishing a tradition and a bonding experience and giving young men an opportunity to go to college. That's still there but now college football is seen as bragging rights, generating money, and a chance to be drafted by the NFL. I guess you could look for hidden reasons, but I just think Demetrius is an excellent example of what college sports should be about. Good luck to him.

 

[nitramnaed]

Maybe he has some type of opportunity that will help him in whatever lifelong career he choses and playing football this fall and winter got in the way.
I wish him well and thank him for the time he gave to the Gophers. Row on young man.

 

[BilldGopher]

Hhhmmmmmnnnnnn...Demetrius played longer than Maxx did...many others too.

All in all I think he checked all the boxes we wish all athletes at the U would be able to do.

Good luck to him. Next man up.

 

[PMWinSTP]

The guy helped move the sticks with some pretty clutch catches. Thanks for the memories DD, especially that 2018 one in Madison...

 

[upnorthkid]

Pursue your passions. Best of luck DD!

 

[MNGopher23]

Best of luck to you in the future, DD! I'll never forget the punt return against Wisconsin to end the first half.

 

[GringaGopher]

Wishing him a successful future and he will always be remembered fondly for his return against the drunk skunks.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Interesting comments from Fleck in the Strib article about Douglas --

Sounds like more roster moves are possible.

Fleck said Monday "there's probably going to be a few" more players to opt out, but it's "a small, small number." Asked specifically about linebacker Braelen Oliver and offensive lineman Daniel Faalele, Fleck declined to comment.

"I'm going to wait to be specific on who we talk about, whether opt in, opt out, to give people the proper time ... so they can make the decision for themselves and not have added pressure," Fleck said. "It's a time where things are really sensitive. … I don't want to put that out there and have people calling them telling them what they should or should not do at this point."

Fleck said he is still waiting on a few more players to give their final answer, which they have less than three weeks to do before the Gophers face Michigan at TCF Bank Stadium. It appears the Gophers have not updated their online roster since spring football, since the freshmen enrollees from June are still not listed. Fleck said he will release an updated roster once all players know their playing status.

"I don't want to give you names, and all of a sudden they opt in tomorrow, but I told you they opted out today," Fleck said. " … I want them to do it for all the right reasons and the reasons that they have with their families."

 

[mkAz]

College football is tough if your heart isn’t in it. I wish him well on his future endeavors.

 

[Yah-E]

I thought it was weird that DD initially was the one that wanted jersey “0” for before RB and approached Coach, but coach turned him down. Then RB wanted “0” and Coach gave it to him. DD was probably like F this with all that favoritism and said “I’m out!”

 

[MplsGopher]

My assumption would be that he was beaten out by multiple people for the 3rd receiver spot and decided that being around the team was too risky if he wasn't going to play.

Would make total sense to me, if something like this is the truth.

 

[alchemy2u]

Too bad. Timing seems odd. Why not play the season and then transfer?

Did you even read his tweet? Lol....

He is graduating in December and figures it is time to move on to the next phase of his live. Not everything centers around football.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Did you even read his tweet? Lol....

He is graduating in December and figures it is time to move on to the next phase of his live. Not everything centers around football.

Yeah, if your heart is not 100% in it college football is not worth it because of the time and effort it takes. He would be a longshot for the NFL at best and for a lot of guys it just isn't worth it to hang onto the dream for years trying to make a team.

If he feels it is in his best interests to get on with his life after football then more power to him and wish him all the best.