Four things to watch Thursday at rare open Gophers football practice

The last time fans got to see Gophers coach P.J. Fleck’s football team at Huntington Bank Stadium was in a home loss against Ohio State in November. A lot has changed since then.

The 2024 version of Fleck’s Gophers are different in key areas, including quarterback and others.

The Gophers opted not to hold a spring game, so Thursday at 4:30 p.m., will be the best chance for fans to attend spring practice. Members of the Gophers’ name, image and likeness (NIL) collective — Dinkytown Athletes — were allowed to attend the U’s first open practice March 23 at the Athletes Village facility.

Here are four things to watch Thursday at the stadium:

QB changes at top

Coaches and players raved about the seamless transition of New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer. The U had lacked a veteran presence like Brosmer at quarterback since Tanner Morgan graduated two years ago.

Among the most glaring similarities between Brosmer and Morgan is vocal leadership, which has aided in building chemistry with top wide receiver Daniel Jackson and others on offense.

“I can’t throw the ball to a spot if the receivers aren’t going to be there,” Brosmer, a team captain, said. “Without training with the guys for hours and hours on end, there’s no way that can happen. That goes back to the desire to get better and grow. We’re growing as a unit … that’s the really exciting part.”

The only returning quarterback from last year is walk-on Max Shikenjanski from Stillwater. So, the Gophers have used spring ball to get a good look at highly touted freshman Drake Lindsey, the Arkansas Gatorade player of the year. The 6-5, 235-pound Fayetteville native is expected to compete for the No. 2 spot behind Brosmer in the fall.

Taylor’s backups?

Starting his career as the Big Ten’s leading rusher after three games last year, Darius Taylor seems ready to establish himself…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/four-things-watch-thursday-rare-191500457.html

Author : Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

Publish date : 2024-04-10 19:15:00

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