Jerry Kill’s first full recruiting class is in the books. 31 players signed letters of intent to play for the Gophers next season. Kill and the Gophers went after play-making wide receivers and beef-eating offensive linemen.
The athleticism in this year’s class comes at the wide receiver position. Andre McDonald highlights a group of receivers that bring a form of athletic depth to the offense.
Meanwhile, more athleticism comes in the form of 230 poumd athlete Duke Anyanwu. He played quarterback at Blaine High School, but was more of a runner than a passer. His path to Minnesota is an interesting one, and it started with tragedy when he was eight years old.
Quarterback Philip Nelson might be one of Kill’s top recruits. He was named Mr. Football of Minnesota, and his big arm and deceptive speed make him a potential starter in the coming years.
Nelson is considered one of the top in-state recruits, but he’s not the only one. According to many experts, the Gophers kept nine of the state’s top 11 prospects at home. That’s a big change from the Tim Brewster days, when most of the state’s top talent left.
