Brewster Stealing Some Cheese

One Brewster first walked on campus he made a promise to close down the borders and stop the flow of Minnesota talent to other schools, mainly Wisconsin. While he has not completely stopped the gap (Floyd, Mobley, he has done a pretty good job. In Glen Mason's last full recruiting class of the top 10 Minnesota recruits 3 choose Minnesota (Weber, Eric Ellestad, and Sean McWhither) and 3 choose Wisconsin (Kim Royston, Brandon Hoey, and Issac Anderson). Interestingly both Royston and Carufel have both come home. In Brewster's last class of the top 10 Minnesota recruits 6 choose Minnesota with Bryce McNeal (Clemson) and Casey Dehn (Wisconsin) escaping.

It wasn't enough for Brewster to stop the flow of Minnesotans to Wisconsin he wanted to reverse the flow and bring the Wisconsinites to Minnesota. In the past week Brewster has received commitments for two Wisconsinites in Matt Eggen and Zac Epping. They join Tom Parish giving the Gophers currently 3 commitments from Wisconsin. They would have had 4 if not for this fool. So far 3 of the top 7 Wisconsin recruits are headed to Minneapolis. Of the top 10 in Wisconsin Konrad Zagzebski is the only one to commit to Wisconsin with even Iowa and Indiana getting commitments.

While the jury is still out on Brewster with this year being a turning point, nothing makes me happier than him getting kids from Wisconsin. While the results are not there yet he is bringing in a lot more talent and has done better recruiting than Mason ever did or even thought about doing. The result is our future looks brighter and Bret Bielema has the Badgers headed in the other direction much to the chagrin of Badger fans and the delight of me.

Why You Can't Trust a 17-year Old Kid

There is now a football player from Wisconsin that I hate as much as Brett Farve and it is a 17 year old kid. Linebacker Konrad Zagzebski was the first commit to Brewster for the 2010 class. He spoke about the commitment to Gopher Illustrated. Here is what he said to Gopher Illustrated on January 22nd:

"I am psyched right now and super pumped to be a Gopher. I had a feeling that an offer was coming and I knew that if it did my recruiting process would be over. I don't care who else offers, I want to be a Golden Gopher." I knew that even if all the schools in the Big Ten were to offer that I would end up at Minnesota," he said. "I felt loyalty from the Minnesota staff ever since they started to recruit me last year. According to Zagzebski, this decision is final. "The way I see it Wisconsin and everyone else had their chance, but to be honest I really never saw myself playing at Wisconsin," he said. "Minnesota is where it is at right now and it doesn't take long to recognize that they are a program on the rise. There is a lot of excitement within the program and I cannot wait to play in the new stadium. I just want to be at Minnesota. My decision is over and I can now focus on one more year of high school ball."

Surprise, Surprise 4 months later he has de-committed and committed to Wisconsin.

I know kids are fickle and de-commit all the time but this is ridiculous. No one made him be so definitive. I have no respect for anyone who can not be trusted or taken at their word. I'm glad this kid isn't a Gopher and by his actions the Badgers deserve a little flake and tool like him.

Offseason Goldy News and Thoughts

• Scout and Rivals have revealed their top 300 and 250 respectively for the football class of 2010 and the Gophers are off to a good start. Offensive lineman Jimmy Gjere is #161 overall on Rivals and a 4-star and #159 and a 4-star on Scout. Linebacker Konrad Zagzebski is #239 on Scout. Other notables Sentreal Henderson is #1 overall on both lists by a wide margin according to reports. Beau Allen is #247 on Scout.
• With Spring Football approaching the Daily Gopher noted that Brewster has started participating in the irritating fad that is Twitter. Here is his feed. Reading through this Brewster is devolving into just a characticture. Sometimes it is really hard to take him serious with the rah-rah nonsense that comes out of his mouth.
• Speaking of a character babbling non-sense Pat Reusse is at it again. Nothing gets me more annoyed than Pat Reusse taking potshots at the University of Minnesota. I don't know what the University did to him but he clearly hates the U. He writes an article about how every Gopher program this year was mediocre and collapsed and while it is true in some cases, he is stretching and bringing pessimism to a whole new level. He then ranks the disappointments in order of most disappointing.
• He claims the Volleyball team failed because it was ranked 10th nationally and lost at home in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Explain how to me that is a failure. The Washington Basketball team was ranked high and won the Pac-10 this year but lost in the second round in Portland to Purdue. Were they a failure? No, then why would the Volleyball team be one.
• Next is the Women's Hockey team that only won the WCHA crown, was ranked #1 for a lot of the year and lost in the Frozen Four to Mercyhurst. While it is disappointing they could not win, never is a trip to the Frozen Four a failure or a collapse. When it is one and done anything can happen.
• Wrestling came next. They were acknowledged to be in a down year and had a bad year but every powerhouse has a bad year as they finished 7th in the Big Ten tournament. I would take any bet that they will be a lot better next year.
• Then he had the balls to list the Men's Basketball team as a failure or collapse. He uses the excuse that the team was ranked #19 and was mediocre down the stretch. He claims that Damian Johnson regressed in Big Ten play and anyone who actually watched the team knows the opposite is true as he became our best player down the stretch. He doesn't dwell on the fact that this team won 9 games two years ago and still has 4 players from that team contributing. This team met or exceeded any rational expectations for this team heading into the season. I think Reusse would fit right in as a Kentucky Wildcat fan.
• He again thinks the Women's team failed for making the second round of the NCAA and beating a higher seed on its own home court. He was around when the Women were at the bottom and 100 people watched them in the Sports Pavilion and now being one of the top 32 teams isn't good enough.
• He then brings up the Gopher Football "collapse". What always is failed to be mentioned is that the Gophers never beat a bowl team the whole year. They did not collapse they just beat crappy teams early. People thought the Illinois and Purdue wins were impressive but they ended up not to be. The Gopher football team definitely has not been an overnight success but they did improve over 2007 and there is no reason to believe they won't improve on 2008 next year.
• Then finally he brings up the Hockey collapse. While I admit that it was a terrible collapse and this team had way too much talent to miss the NCAA tournament, he took it too far. Here is his quote about the hockey team "Don Lucia again turning his Yankees of college hockey into the St. Paul Saints". I don't even fully get the analogy and to say it is an overeaction is to put it mildly. They finished as the 15th best team in the nation and while they disappointed this year they certainly were not a minor league team.
• I'm sorry for the rant and it is probably hard to follow and read but I hate Reusse and I don't get why he feels necessary to rip the U. If Tubby wins the Big Ten next year, Reusse will either write an article about some old football coach talking about his playing days at Gustavus or he will take the day off and wait until they lose in the tournament and rip the failure of the program.
  

Your 2009 Gopher Football Recruiting Class

This class is not the wow and top 25 class than Brewster brought in last year but there is talent in the class. There won't be a lot of contribution next year but over the 4 years they should make their presence felt. Here is a summary of the commits so far:

Hayo Carpenter - JC WR 5' 11" 175 - Scout 5 stars Rivals 4 stars
Was recruited by everyone. Rivals has him the 13 best JC player in the nation. He runs a sub 4.4 40 and should make the biggest impact next year. Should fit in nicely as the slot receiver next to Decker and Brandon Green.

Michael Carter - #12 CB 5' 11" 154 - Scout 3 stars Rivals 4 stars
This was the signing day surprise. He had committed to West Virginia at the All-American Bowl but changed to the Gophers on signing day. He is the cousin of Gopher standout Tyrone Carter. He needs to get into the weight room but is very talented and could see time as a nickel back this year.

Hasan Lipscomb - #24 RB 5' 11" 201 - Scout 3 stars Rivals 4 stars
He has kind of gone under the radar but he is the recruit I am most excited about. He runs a 4.4 40 and has good size. He played in the shadow of QB Russel Shepard (#3 player in nation) in high school but I think he will come in and back up Duane Bennett as a freshman and may over take him.

Ra'Shede Hageman - #6 TE 6' 6" 251 - Scout 4 stars Rivals 3 stars
He is a physically imposing player. He already is NCAA TE size ready. He is also very athletic and has a very impressive highlight reel. He was recruited by every school including Ohio State and Oklahoma. He might not play much as a freshman learning the system but he should continue the tradition of Ben Utecht and Matt Spaeth.

Matt Garin - #21 DE 6' 4" 220 - Scout 4 stars Rivals 3 stars
A recruit who has moved up a lot this year and has started to get a buzz around him. He looks to have a bright future. Will likely be redshirted to add weight or possibly become an outside linebacker.

Moses Alipate - #16 QB 6' 5" 230 - Scout 3 stars Rivals 3 stars
Has the prototypical size for a QB. Didn't put up huge stats in high school but played for a terrible team and never had time to show off his abilty. There is talk he will change positions but I think he will come in a as a QB. Will be redshirted and will be behind Weber and Gray.

Kendall Gregory-McGhee - #35 Ath 6' 4" 214 - Scout 3 stars Rivals 3 stars
It is unknown where he will play at the next level. He has good size and is very athletic. Could play TE or LB. Will be redshirted to help him find his best position.

Josh Campion - #41 OT 6' 5" 265 - Scout 3 stars Rivals 3 stars
One of many Offensive lineman that were added to bulk the weak spot in the current Gophers team. Will be redshirted to bulk up.

Bryant Allen - #52 Ath 6' 0" 160 - Scout 3 stars Rivals 3 stars
Very good athlete who played QB in high school but will need to change positions. Will likely be a WR but could also play CB. There is talk that he will also walk-0n to the Gophers basketball team. He averages 25 ppg and is a favorite to be Mr. Basketball in Missouri. Won't be a starter but could see time on special teams and at WR.

Kerry Lewis - #41 CB 5' 9" 178 - Scout 3 stars Rivals 3 stars
Will likely play safety in college. With the departure of Tremaine Brock, he might be able to compete for playing time but likely won't see much of the field next year.

Joey Searcy - #43 DT 6' 1" 276 - Scout 2 stars Rivals 3 stars
He might be a sleeper. He might move over to DE but might see time as a DT on third downs.

Brent Singleton - #58 OLB 6' 0" - Scout 3 stars Rivals 3 stars
He will be a safety in college. He de-committed from South Carolina to head to Minneapolis. Won't see playing time as a freshman.

Ed Olson - #67 OT 6' 7" 285 - Scout 3 stars Rivals 3 stars
He has big potential. He could be a back-up this season and should be starting at some point in his career. His brother has already committed to the Gophers as a sophomore and might be the better lineman.

Victor Keise - #98 WR 6' 1" 160 - Scout 2 stars Rivals 3 stars
One of the first commits to the Gophers. Decent speed. Will need to add weight and strength. Won't see time as a freshman.

Kenneth Watkins - #42 S 6' 0" 185 - Scout 2 stars Rivals 3 stars
Might also play CB but has good speed and might develop. Will redshirt next season.

Brooks Michel - #94 OT 6' 7" 280 - Scout 3 stars Rivals 3 stars
Has very good size and frame. Will add size and likely be plus 300 lbs.

Jeff Wills - JC OT 6' 7" 350 - Scout 2 stars Rivals 3 stars
Not much is known about this prospect but his size gets people talking. He is the guy brought in to show the committment to the power running game. Will be competing for a starting spot on the line.

Eric Jacques - #61 OG 6' 2" 280 - Scout 1 star Rivals 3 stars
Came with Michael Carter in a package on signing day. Did not recieve other similar offers. Will defintely be red-shirted.

Nick Rengel - Ath 6' 3" 225 - Scout 2 stars Rivals 2 stars
Will likely be a DE or Outside Linebacker in college. Has some abilty and will be red-shirted as a freshman.

Dan Orseske - #32 K 6' 3" 195 - Scout 2 stars Rivals 2 stars
Might also punt. Will compete with Eric Ellestad for the kicking job. Will likely be kicking or punting for the team next year.

There it is so far. There may be some late additions as the signing period continues for a couple weeks. Some players might not get in or otherwise not make it to campus by September. I will later show how this class stacks up with other classes in the nation.