MINNEAPOLIS — Wednesday was a busy day for Gophers
football coach Jerry Kill and his program, as they added more than 30 recruits — including 27 to scholarships — on National Signing Day. In Kill's first
full offseason as Minnesota's coach, he managed to keep some of the state's top
talent home. Seven of the top-10 recruits from the state of Minnesota signed on
to play with the Gophers on Wednesday. A look at the full list of players who
signed letters of intent to play for Kill and Minnesota next season:
JAMEL HARBISON, WR, 5-foot-11, 195 pounds
Mallard Creek High School, Charlotte
Scout.com ranking: Three stars
About Harbison: Ranked as the 151st-best wide receiver in the nation by
Scout.com, Harbison caught 50 passes, including 21 touchdowns, during his
senior season at Mallard Creek High School. He was also a standout baseball
player, batting .329 with 28 RBI during his junior season.
ISAAC HAYES, OG, 6-foot-2, 275 pounds
St. Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights, Minn.
Scout.com ranking: Three stars
About Hayes: The ninth-best recruit in the state of Minnesota, Hayes was
named first-team all-state by the Associated Press during his senior season at
St. Thomas Academy. He was also first-team All-Conference as a senior.
MITCH LEIDNER, QB, 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
Lakeville South High School, Lakeville, Minn.
Scout.com ranking: Three stars
About Leidner: Leidner was one of eight players to enroll at Minnesota
early. He was ranked as the sixth-best player in the state by Scout.com and the
second-best quarterback behind fellow Gophers signee Philip Nelson. Leidner
threw 20 touchdowns and 1,872 yards as a senior at Lakeville South to earn All-Conference
honors as well as All-State honorable mention.
JACK LYNN, OLB, 6-foot-3, 210 pounds
Lake Zurich High School, Lake Zurich, Ill.
Scout.com ranking: Three stars
About Lynn: As a senior at Lake Zurich High School, Lynn had 93 tackles
and 2.5 sacks en route to being named Class 7A All-State by the Illinois High
School Football Coaches Association. He also played on the offensive side of
the ball, tallying 271 yards on 13 catches (including four touchdowns) as a
senior.
ANDRE MCDONALD, WR, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds
Hopkins High School, Minnetonka, Minn.
Scout.com ranking: Three stars
About McDonald: McDonald originally committed to Minnesota, then changed
his mind and committed to Vanderbilt. But when a position coach at Vanderbilt
left the program, McDonald once again changed his mind and chose to commit
again to his hometown school. Rated as the top wide receiver in the state,
McDonald caught 17 touchdowns and amassed 1,253 receiving yards as a senior. He
earned Associated Press All-State honors twice while at Hopkins.
PHILIP NELSON, QB, 6-foot-2, 220 pounds
Mankato West High School, Mankato, Minn.
Scout.com ranking: Three stars
About Nelson: Nelson was rated as the top quarterback in the state of
Minnesota and the state's fourth-best recruit. A three-year starter at Mankato
West, Nelson can do damage through the air as well as on the ground. He passed
for 2,784 yards and 35 touchdowns and racked up 1,243 rushing yards and 20
rushing touchdowns during his impressive senior campaign.
JONAH PIRSIG, OT, 6-foot-9, 295 pounds
Blue Earth Area High School, Blue Earth, Minn.
Scout.com ranking: Three stars
About Pirsig: Pirsig was ranked as the second-best recruit in the state
of Minnesota, and was the highest-ranked player the Gophers landed in this
year's recruiting class. He earned Associated Press All-State honors as a
senior, and figures to help shore up an offensive line at Minnesota that
struggled in 2011.
NICK RALLIS, OLB, 5-foot-11, 220 pounds
Edina High School, Edina, Minn.
Scout.com ranking: Three stars
About Rallis: Rallis joins his brother, Mike, who will be a senior
linebacker at Minnesota and started for the Gophers as a junior. A shoulder
injury cut the younger Rallis' high school senior season short, as he played
just three games in 2011. As a junior, he made 72 tackles and forced a pair of
fumbles for the Hornets.
MAXX WILLIAMS, TE, 6-foot-4, 235 pounds
Waconia High School, Waconia, Minn.
Scout.com ranking: Three stars
About Williams: Williams is following in his parents' footsteps by
choosing to play at Minnesota. His father, Brian, played football for the
Gophers and went on to play briefly in the NFL. His mother, Rochele, played
volleyball at Minnesota. At Waconia, Williams played a variety of positions,
including quarterback, tight end, linebacker and punter but he signs with the
Gophers as a tight end.
DUKE ANYANWU, ATH, 6-foot-4, 230 pounds
Blain High School, Blaine, Minn.
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Anyanwu: Minnesota lists Anyanwu's position as
"athlete," as he is capable of playing multiple positions. He's
ranked as the No. 292 wide receiver by Scout.com, but also played quarterback
and free safety. Anyanwu passed for 926 yards and five touchdowns while also
rushing for 1,130 yards and 18 scores as a senior.
JEREMY BALTAZAR, CB, 6 feet, 190 pounds
Blinn College, Brenham, Texas
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Baltazar: Baltazar was one of the Gophers' eight early
enrollments. As a sophomore at Blinn College, he recorded 33 tackles and 10
pass breakups as well as a pair of interceptions. He earned first-team
All-Conference honors in 2011. Because of Baltazar's size, the Gophers say they
could also see him moving to safety if needed.
BRIEAN BODDY, CB, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds
Coffeyville Community College, Coffeyville, Kan.
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Boddy: Boddy will take part in the Gophers' spring practices as an
early enrollee. One of six junior college recruits Minnesota signed, Boddy had
40 tackles and four interceptions last season for Coffeyville Community
College. He also has experience as a kick returner.
SCOTT EKPE, DE, 6-foot-4, 260 pounds
Lewisville High School, Lewisville, Texas
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Ekpe: Another early enrollee for Minnesota, Ekpe will also
participate in spring practices. As a senior at Lewisville High School, Ekpe
had 24 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, and forced one fumble. The
Gophers are hoping Ekpe will add a bit of weight to his 6-foot-4 frame.
ISAAC FRUECHTE, WR, 6-foot-3, 210 pounds
Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester, Minn.
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Fruechte: Fruechte has three years of eligibility remaining after
playing one year at Rochester CTC. He played as a freshman in 2010 but
redshirted in 2011. The Caledonia, Minn., native had 30 catches for 805 yards
and nine touchdowns during his freshman season at Rochester CTC. In high
school, Fruechte was a two-time Associated Press All-State honorable mention selection.
JAMES GILLUM, RB, 5-foot-11, 208 pounds
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston, Miss.
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Gillum: Gillum was the nation's 12th-leading rusher as a sophomore
at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he racked up 1,042 rushing
yards and nine touchdowns. He's one of eight early enrollees and will
participate in the Gophers' spring practices.
JORDAN HINOJOSA, DT, 6-foot-3, 275 pounds
Miami Central High School, Miami
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Hinojosa: Hinojosa was the last Gophers commit to sign his
National Letter of Intent on Wednesday. He was ranked as the No. 4 defensive
tackle in the state of Florida by Scout.com, and the state's 88th-best player
overall. Hinojosa was chosen to take part in the Nike South Florida All-Star
Game.
ANTONIO JOHNSON, OLB, 6 feet, 190 pounds
Shaker Heights High School, Shaker Heights, Ohio
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Johnson: Johnson played on both sides of the ball as a senior, as
he ran for 1,137 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2011. On defense, Johnson made 84
tackles and had a pair of interceptions during his senior season. At 6 feet,
190 pounds, Johnson is a physical cornerback and should provide depth in the
secondary for Minnesota.
ROLAND JOHNSON, DT, 6-foot-1, 295 pounds
Butler County Community College, El Dorado, Kan.
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Johnson: Johnson is another junior college recruit, as he comes to
Minnesota via Butler County Community College. In 2011, Johnson had 27 tackles
(seven for loss) and three sacks. He played his freshman year at Western
Carolina, where he started 10 of 11 games as a true freshman.
ALEX KEITH, DE, 6-foot-3, 230 pounds
Columbia-Hickman High School, Columbia, Mo.
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Keith: As a senior, Keith had 67 tackles (22 tackles for loss) and
12.5 sacks. As a tight end/wide receiver, Keith caught five touchdowns passes
during his senior season. He earned second-team All-State honors as a junior.
BEN LAUER, OT, 6-foot-6, 265 pounds
Wayzata High School, Wayzata, Minn.
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Lauer: Lauer missed most of his junior season in 2010 after
tearing his ACL and MCL, but he bounced back to have an impressive senior year.
He was named All-State by the Associated Press. Scout.com ranked him as the No.
168 offensive tackle in the country.
K.J. MAYE, ATH, 5-foot-10, 190 pounds
Murphy High School, Mobile, Ala.
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Maye: Maye is another player whose position the Gophers have
listed as "athlete." As a senior at Murphy High School, Maye threw
for 1,122 yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,041 yards and eight
scores. He even spent time at wide receiver, catching 10 passes for 199 yards
and three touchdowns.
ERIC MURRAY, WR, 6 feet, 178 pounds
Riverside High School, Milwaukee, Wis.
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Murray: Murray crosses the border from Wisconsin to play for the
Gophers. He earned first-team All-State honors by both the Associated Press and
Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as he recorded three interceptions as a
senior. On offense, Murray had 444 rushing yards and six touchdowns along with
434 receiving yards and five touchdown catches.
LINCOLN PLSEK, ATH, 6-foot-4, 245 pounds
Reicher Catholic High School, Waco, Texas
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Plsek: Plsek played a number of positions for Reicher Catholic,
including offensive line and tailback. While he's listed by Scout.com as a
defensive end, the Gophers envision Plsek on the offensive side of the ball.
MARTEZ SHABAZZ, CB, 5-foot-11, 165 pounds
Trinity Valley Community College, Athens, Texas
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Shabazz: Shabazz is another early enrollee for the Gophers, as he
comes to Minnesota from Trinity Valley Community College. Shabazz had 43
tackles, 21 pass breakups and one interception during the 2011 season en route
to earning All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference honors.
YOSHOUB TIMMS, DT, 6-foot-2, 270 pounds
Fort Walton Beach High School, Fort Walton, Fla.
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Timms: As a senior at Fort Walton Beach High School, Timms had 27
tackles and a pair of sacks. He was named first-team All-Area by the Northwest
Florida Daily News in 2011.
DAMARIUS TRAVIS, S, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds
Pensacola High School, Pensacola, Fla.
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Travis: At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Travis is certainly one of the
biggest, most physical defensive backs of the Gophers' recruiting class. While
at Pensacola High School, Travis earned All-Area honors and was named
second-team Florida Class 6A All-State as a senior in 2011.
RODRICK WILLIAMS, RB, 5-foot-11, 228 pounds
Lewisville High School, Lewisville, Texas
Scout.com ranking: Two stars
About Williams: Williams racked up 850 rushing yards and three
touchdowns during his senior season at Lewisville High School. He also had 26
catches for 389 and three scores. As a senior, Williams ranked No. 9 in the
state of Texas in all-purpose yards with 1,239.
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