By Chris Monter
FOXSportsNorth.com
February 27, 2011
Minnesota head football coach Jerry Kill has continued to win over supporters from boosters to former players. However, most importantly, he has done a good job convincing some of the top in-state players to stay home and play for the Golden Gophers.
Minnesota landed their fourth member in the Class of 2012.
Maxx Williams, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound junior from Waconia, is a versatile player who was named the Wright County Conference Offensive Player of the Year as quarterback and was the Kare-11 Sports All-Metro selection as a punter, averaging 39 yards per punt. However, he is expected to play tight end for the Golden Gophers.
Williams led the Wildcats to a 7-3 mark, losing to Mankato West 43-14 in the second round of the Class 4A, Section 2 playoffs. He completed 31 of 80 passes for 431 yards and five touchdowns. Williams rushed 151 times for 1268 yards (8.4 yards per carry) and 18 scores.
Williams comes from an athletic family that has plenty of ties to Dinkytown. His father, Brian Williams, played college football at Minnesota and was drafted in the first round (18th overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He played for them from 1989 to 1999.
His grandfather, Robert Williams, was a former quarterback at Notre Dame who was drafted by Chicago in the 1959 NFL Draft.
His mother, Rochelle, was a volleyball player at Minnesota and his uncle, Ron, played football at Minnesota and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 12th round of the 1990 NFL Draft. He played two seasons for Barcelona in the World League.
Williams said that there was plenty to like about Jerry Kill during his meetings with the new head coach.
"I really liked him," said Williams. "He just really cares about his players and wants to turn around the program and win. He just really seems like he knows what he is doing."
The landing of Williams could also help the Golden Gophers land other talented players from the Class of 2012.
Jonah Pirsig, a 6-foot-9, 285-pound junior left tackle/defensive end from Blue Earth (MN) High, visited Minnesota Tuesday and attended the Golden Gopher-Michigan State game that night. Pirsig has already attracted four Big Ten offers and could end up the state's most highly recruited player from the Class of 2012.
Pirsig helped lead Blue Earth to a 6-4 mark. They defeated Belle Plaine 35-0 in the first round of the Class 3A Section 2 playoffs before losing to Minneapolis Washburn 40-13.
Pirsig said that the visit gave him a better feeling about Minnesota after spending time at the school and with the coaches
Yes, it does," said Pirsig. "It really helps a face to all the guys I've been talking to over the phone. Getting to know them a lot better."
Pirsig admitted that the recent commitment of Maxx Williams, quarterback Phil Nelson from nearby Manakto West and wide receiver Andre McDonald of Hopkins got him a little more excited about Minnesota.
"It definitely makes me more excited because so far, they've done pretty well in keeping the best players in the state," said Pirsig. "Maybe, they'll be able to do that with me, too."
NOTES
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Minnesota offered Will Johnson, a 6-foot-7, 250 pound junior tight end from Osseo earlier this week. Johnson caught 14 passes for 169 yards (12.1 yards per reception) as he helped lead the Orioles to a 7-3 mark, losing to Wayzata 35-0 in the second round of the Class 5A, Section 5 playoffs.
Johnson is also playing on the No. 2 ranked Orioles basketball team that is 21-2 overall and 16-1 in the Northwest Suburban Conference. He is averaging 5.3 points per game with a season-best 18 points versus Centennial.
Orioles head coach Derrin Lamker said that Johnson is a player with many strengths.
"The guy is 6-7, 250 and can run," said Lamker. "He's got good hands. Whether they keep him at tight end or not, that is their decision. They are going to run the ball and try to shove it down some throats. A big tight end like that is a great run blocker. He can block and he can move."
Lamker said that Minnesota could have the inside edge in landing his talented tight end.
"He is really high on the "U," said Lamker. "I can tell you that right now. They are number one on his list as of right now. That means a lot to a kid when a school comes in with the first official offer. That means a lot to him and his family, I can promise you that."
Minnesota is also recruiting D.J. Hebert, an Osseo quarterback, who will likely play defensive back or wide receiver in college.
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None of the Golden Gophers were on the list of 300 top prospects that received invites to participate at the annual combine for the 2011 NFL Draft in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which runs from February 24-March 1. They will perform in front of NFL scouts at the Gopher Pro Day on March 8th.
FOXSportsNorth.com will be in attendance with all the latest news and information from Junior Day.
