P.J. Fleck defends decision not to have Gophers Spring Game

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – P.J. Fleck spent Wednesday watching 17 of his former players participate in the Gophers’ Pro Day in front of more than 70 NFL scouts and front office personnel from all 32 teams.

Thursday, the Gophers opened their ninth spring practice under Fleck. Minnesota will have 15 total practices, and two scrimmages mixed in. The Gophers will not have a Spring Game open to the public, in what’s become a growing trend across college football in a new era with the transfer portal and NIL opportunities.

Fleck on Thursday defend his decision not to have a Spring Game.

Gophers players talk starting Spring Football

Gophers players Darius Taylor, Jameson Geers, Anthony Smith and Maverick Baranowski speak with reporters on Thursday at Athletes Village as the University of Minnesota football team started spring football.

“We do two scrimmages during the spring that are games. This has nothing to do with recruiting or portal, or having somebody poach your players,” Fleck said. “They already know everybody. They already know every great player on our team, spring game doesn’t do anything like that.”

Gophers new DC and ‘chaos defense’

What we know:

The Gophers have a new defensive coordinator after Corey Hetherman departed for Miami (Florida) just days after signing a two-year extension at Minnesota. Danny Collins will call the plays this season after four years as the safeties coach.

They’re calling this year the “chaos defense.” Last year, the Gophers were fifth in total defense, 12th in rushing defense and ninth in scoring defense.

Quarterback competition

Why you should care:

The Gophers will have a new quarterback in 2025, and the starting job is likely a battle between sophomore Drake Lindsey and Georgia Tech transfer Zach Pyron. Lindsey played in three games last year and was 4-of-5 passing…

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Publish date : 2025-03-20 21:48:00

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