Going into this season, Koi Perich has received the most buzz of any Gophers defensive player, being named to a slew of watch lists for national awards and mentioned on various All-America teams.
Minnesota Gophers defensive linemen Jah Joyner (17), Anthony Smith (9) and Jalen Logan-Redding (97) are photographed during the team’s football media day in Minneapolis on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
But the Esko native might not be the most dangerous play-wrecker on that side of the ball.
Imposing and versatile defensive lineman Anthony Smith ranked 12th in the Big Ten in tackles for lost yards (11 1/2) last season, and the 6-foot-6, 285-pounder is the Gophers’ best bet to keep alive the program’s six-year streak of having a first- or second-round NFL draft pick.
New defensive coordinator Danny Collins has been around the U program for the entirety of head coach P.J Fleck’s nine-year tenure. He thinks Smith has the highest ceiling of any D-lineman in that span, including Seattle’s second-round pick Boye Mafe.
“I think Anthony Smith can be the best one to ever play here, since we’ve been here on the defensive line,” Collins said Monday. “What he’s able to do in terms of playing defensive end, like you said, moving inside (to tackle), pass rushing, stopping the run.The guy takes care of his body. He’s a leader, taking that next step as well. I think the sky is the limit for him.”
With last year’s top defensive ends, Jah Joyner and Danny Striggow, getting shots in the NFL, Smith’s role will be vital this fall. Robbinsale Cooper product Jaxon Howard appears in line to be a starter at the U’s other edge spot, with Karter Menz the top back-up.
Collins will have the ability to move Smith around to find the best matchup this fall. The Shippensburg, Pa., native had 27 tackles and a team-high six sacks last season.
Situational football
The Gophers will likely need to be outstanding in one-possession games in order to reach their outspoken goal of making the College Football Playoff.
Fleck knows it will be about his team making fewer mistakes than the opposition and cutting down on those has been an emphasis in training camp.
“Everybody wants to win, but when you’re going through training camp are you intentional about winning situational football?” Fleck said. “Working on situational football, creating those situations for your players, creating that added pressure constantly.”
Last season, Minnesota was 3-4 in one-score games, and that put a cap on a 8-5 record.
The Gophers will end training camp Tuesday and will soon start full preparations for the season opener against Buffalo on Aug. 28.
Five as one
The U will have a rebuilt group of starting offensive linemen this season, and their ability to coalesce early in the season will be important.
“That’s the one unit that takes the longest to gel,” offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh said. “I’ve loved how that group has really begun to click; that’s what I’ve seen over the last two weeks. Really just the consistency of them working together as a unit.”
Redshirt freshman Nathan Roy appears to be the starter at left tackle, with transfer Marcellus Marshall (Central Florida) penciled in at right guard and Dylan Ray (Kentucky) pegged at right tackle.
Experienced, returning lineman in right guard Greg Johnson and center Ashton Beers round out the starting five. Fleck has said Johnson, who moved from center, is one of the best O-linemen he has coached.
Briefly
New Gophers starting quarterback Drake Lindsey celebrated his 20th birthday on Monday. … Redshirt cornerback Mike Gerald was mentioned by U coaches on Tuesday as a candidate to play a significant role in the opener. He appears to be in a competition with transfers John Nestor (Iowa) and Jayden Bowden (North Carolina Central) for the starting spot opposite redshirt sophomore Za’Quan Bryan. … Fleck said on KFAN radio that he and Illinois coach Bret Bielema discussed the prospect of having joint practices between the two programs at a neutral site. But that’s on hold because the NCAA doesn’t currently allow those sessions. … The U has a $10 ticket offer for the home opener and sold approximately 3,000 seats through the first three hours.
Minnesota Gophers defensive lineman Anthony Smith (0) sacks Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) in the first quarter of a NCAA football game at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
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