List of Players Returning and Departing for 2021

[MplsGopher]

I'm of the same mindset. This is likely our best chance at an upset. The only thing working against us is that PJ's teams historically have slow starts, but maybe this is the year that changes. Who knows?

Michigan was breaking in a new QB in 2020, too.

 

[MplsGopher]

Agreed, when we've seen Ohio States stumble, if ever, it's early on.

Poor Michigan maybe could have eeked out a win here or there in their rivalry recently IF they didn't always play them late when Ohio State was tuned up just fine...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ohio_State_Buckeyes_football_seasons

Going back through Urban's tenure, they've only had two loses in the "early" weeks. Both non-conf: 2014 at home vs unranked VT and 2017 at home vs #5 Oklahoma.

Only a handful of Big Ten losses. Couple earlier to Mich St, when the Spartans were ranked #10 and #9 at the time in consecutive seasons. Then each year over 2016-2018 they had one road loss to an unranked Big Ten team: 2016 at Penn St, 2017 at Iowa, and 2018 at Purdue. None since then.


I'm guessing we won't be ranked to start next season. So a road loss to the Gophs would be an incredible upset. Row the boat!

 

[MNVCGUY]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ohio_State_Buckeyes_football_seasons

Going back through Urban's tenure, they've only had two loses in the "early" weeks. Both non-conf: 2014 at home vs unranked VT and 2017 at home vs #5 Oklahoma.

Only a handful of Big Ten losses. Couple earlier to Mich St, when the Spartans were ranked #10 and #9 at the time in consecutive seasons. Then each year over 2016-2018 they had one road loss to an unranked Big Ten team: 2016 at Penn St, 2017 at Iowa, and 2018 at Purdue. None since then.


I'm guessing we won't be ranked to start next season. So a road loss to the Gophs would be an incredible upset. Row the boat!

Again, there is zero doubt we will be big underdogs heading into that game. Ohio State should win, they are one of the top programs in all of college football and loaded with next level talent all over the roster.

But given the choice, I would want to play them early as opposed to late in the season. And weird things can happen in opening games.

 

[Taji34]

Michigan was breaking in a new QB in 2020, too.

Yeah, but we also had significant losses on D, and some losses on O plus a new OC. This time we don't have that.

 

[MplsGopher]

Yeah, but we also had significant losses on D, and some losses on O plus a new OC. This time we don't have that.

Not to mention broken kicking game. And one of our starting OL was clearly playing on a hurt ankle.

Just sayin'

 

[MNVCGUY]

Yeah, but we also had significant losses on D, and some losses on O plus a new OC. This time we don't have that.

Also add to that that Milton did not make mistakes the way he did in other games. Some of that is on our D for not forcing him into mistakes but he also played well in that game and significantly better then he played in the other games he started before getting benched.

 

[WriterGoph]

Agree. Maybe sad to say, but would think QB too. Especially with Athan as a prized recruit coming in the summer, and with Morgan allowed to play here in 2022 if he wants, you have to think at least one of ZA, Kramer, or Clark is unlikely to ever see the field as a starter and will move on.

Good point on QB. I would definitely add that to the list. Have to think there *could* be some turnover there after spring ball, but it may be more likely to come after fall camp or the 2021 season as ZA, Clark and Kramer see how Athan fits into the hierarchy. I'd definitely expect Athan to redshirt in 2021, but I think those other guys will be able to tell if he is a guy who could potentially jump them for 2022.

Other variable is if Morgan and/or ZA decide to stay for 2022. I could see ZA being the starter for a year in 2022 if Morgan leaves, but I could also see ZA maybe deciding to hang them up after 2021 if Tanner stays an extra year.

Don't wish leaving on any of these players who chose the U and have worked hard. But OTOH, it's definitely nice to be in a spot where we feel like we have some good options even if we lose a guy or two from each room.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Also add to that that Milton did not make mistakes the way he did in other games. Some of that is on our D for not forcing him into mistakes but he also played well in that game and significantly better then he played in the other games he started before getting benched.

I felt like there was a lot of that last year.

You'd see a guy struggle, but then pick it up the next game or as the season went on .... gives me hope.

 

[Gophergrandpa]

Even if Tanner starts, ZA or whomever is just one jammed thumb or tight hamstring away from starting ... remember how Tanner got the job.

 

[WriterGoph]

Even if Tanner starts, ZA or whomever is just one jammed thumb or tight hamstring away from starting ... remember how Tanner got the job.

Agreed, but the same doesn't go for the other 3 guys who end up being #3, #4 and #5 on the depth chart.

 

[Word]

Agreed, but the same doesn't go for the other 3 guys who end up being #3, #4 and #5 on the depth chart.

What if there are 3 jammed thumbs?

 

[WriterGoph]

What if there are 3 jammed thumbs?

If PJ can sell that angle and they all wanna stay, then more power to us. I just think that whoever feels like they are in the #4 spot this year may be doing some thinking. And if Athan comes in and wins the #3 spot, I could see both Kramer and Clark looking elsewhere.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Moving the final 4 guys that were in the undecided column over to the returning column because they are listed on the 2021 roster and they seem to be keeping it up to date as far as I can tell since they have removed Paulson and others that have said they were not coming back.

This includes Teague, J. Harris, Swenson, and Schoenfelder. Teague, Harris and Swenson are all nice depth pieces to get back on defense.

Overall we came out of this really well with a ton of key pieces coming back for another go around and only a few deciding to move on.

 

[MplsGopher]

Teague had to do what he had to do. No doubt, everyone does.

But with not playing last year, and guys like Dew, Schad, Carter, Cheney getting those reps, even Richter getting in there at times, and now bringing in these two huge new transfers .... I feel like he (Teague) might have a long road to getting back onto the field? Wild guess.

 

[mkAz]

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I guess that explains our "all the kickers" moves.

 

[hungan1]

Did Michael Lantz sustain a serious injury?

 

[MplsGopher]

Granted that Ryerse was only a kickoff specialist, but what was his deal in 2020? Covid opt-out?

Lantz was the FG/PAT kicker in 2019, then didn't kick any FG last year. Yet he did kickoffs for Maryland and PAT for Illinois and Iowa.


Our kicking and punting in 2020 was such a hodgepodge of walk-on guys that normally would not be anything more than practice players.

Save for Crawford, I guess. But he didn't start punting until Illinois. Before that was a walk-on grad transfer from Middle Tennessee (who was also the FG/PAT holder for the season).


2019 kicking game seemed very solid with Herbers and Lantz (and Ryerse kicking off).

Hope these new guys can bring it back up to that.

 

[MplsGopher]

Class of 2020 DL Ali Saad is in the transfer portal "per source", according to Burns:

https://247sports.com/college/minne...ad-enters-the-NCAA-Transfer-Portal-161364311/

 

[MNVCGUY]

Class of 2020 DL Ali Saad is in the transfer portal "per source", according to Burns:

https://247sports.com/college/minne...ad-enters-the-NCAA-Transfer-Portal-161364311/

DL room got a lot more crowded this off season so maybe he doesn't see where he fits in the picture anymore. He had a nice offer list out of high school, will be interesting to see if he finds a landing spot.

We now have 3 current DT in the portal without a new home (Robinson, Saad, Harris). Will be interesting to see what ends up happening with those guys.

 

[WriterGoph]

DL room got a lot more crowded this off season so maybe he doesn't see where he fits in the picture anymore. He had a nice offer list out of high school, will be interesting to see if he finds a landing spot.

We now have 3 current DT in the portal without a new home (Robinson, Saad, Harris). Will be interesting to see what ends up happening with those guys.

Posted this in the other thread, but Harris ended up at Old Dominion