The Gophers football team has a nickname for an entire side of the ball for the first time: the “havoc” defense.
It’s actually an acronym (HAVOC) that’s fittingly constructed because new coordinator Danny Collins has been with head coach P.J. Fleck — a fan of wordplay — since Collins started his coaching career with Fleck at Western Michigan in 2015.
Fleck promoted Collins, the Gophers’ safeties coach last season, to defensive coordinator after Corey Heatherman took the same role at Miami (Fla.) in January. Collins also follows Joe Rossi, but Collins is the first to outwardly set out principles for how he wants his unit wants to play.
The H is for how much effort the defense will play with; the A is for an attacking style; the V is for violence; the O is for playing together as one; and C is its level of competition.
In other words, Collins wants his defense to be “controlled chaos.”
Collins said his advantage over bringing in another coordinator from an outside programs is his knowledge of the U’s existing personnel. “I know exactly how they play the game and how exactly we can plug them into a scheme to create that HAVOC defense,” he said.
Fleck added that the majority of the defensive scheme — a base 4-3 front — will remain the same under Collins, but both of them think the U can be more flexible than in previous years.
“I think this has the opportunity to be one of the most versatile defenses that we have had here,” Collins said after Tuesday’s practice. “Guys flying around different fronts, guys all over the place, different types of packages. … I think the versatility will be huge for us this season.”
Two of the key pieces are first-team all-Big Ten safety Koi Perich and honorable mention all-conference defensive lineman Anthony Smith.
“(Collins) knows the defense so well, and he’s tweaked it so well,” Smith said. “I’m so excited to be in the defense.”
Five ball, corner pocket
Quarterback Drake Lindsey had a handful of highlights during Tuesday’s practice, including connections in the corner of the end zone with Le’Meke Brockington, Javon Tracy and Jalen Smith.
“I think Drake is playing at a really high level,” Fleck said Tuesday. “I’ve got to give him his dues (through practice No. 9 of spring ball). Probably higher than any younger player I’ve ever had at that position.”
Jalen Smith, a redshirt freshman from Mankato, is one of the most-improved players on the team, Fleck said. Collins added that a defensive candidate for that distinction would be safety Garrison Monroe, a redshirt sophomore from Shakopee.
Briefly
The highlight of Tuesday’s practice was a one-handed catch from Purdue transfer tight end Drew Bieber. It came in the corner of the end zone from backup quarterback Max Shikenjanski. …. Key injured players: CB Jai’Onte McMillan, OL Kahlee Tafai, RB Fame Ijeboi and WR Malachi Coleman. DL Riley Sunram has returned to practice after being limited; CB ZaQuon Bryan left Tuesday’s practice. … Roman Voss and a few family members were at the U on Tuesday as the Gophers continues to recruit the No. 1 prospect in the state of Minnesota in the 2026 class. The athlete from Jackson County Central recently received offers from Alabama, Oklahoma and Southern Cal. … Former quarterback Max Brosmer attended practice while wearing a Vikings shirt. … Approximately 175 former U players took part in an alumni event held last week. …. UCLA transfer Logan Loya is a candidate for punt returner. … LB Joey Gerlach and CB Naiim Parrish had pass break-ups on consecutive plays Tuesday, each drawing praise from Fleck. … LB Matt Kingsbury had some bright moments, as well.
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