Significance in recruiting

It's been a few weeks since I've posted anything, and clearly I haven't been keeping up with what has been going on in recruiting.

The good news is that for those of us that are Gopher Football fans, the days of having to scour the internet for information about recruiting are behind us. If there is new information about recruiting, you can be sure that you will find it somewhere in one of the local papers or their websites.

This is significant, and it tells us two things. First of all, it tells us that all of the lip-service that Coach Brewster has been giving to the importance of recruiting is starting to pay off. But secondly, and more importantly, they are reporting about it for a reason, and that reason is because what Coach Brewster is doing in the area of recruiting is incredibly significant.

For those, like me, living in the Twin Cities, when was the last time, prior to this year, when you can remember Gopher Football recruiting being discussed on the 10 o'clock news? In the papers? On local radio?

People who are much smarter, and much more plugged into recruiting than I am, have pointed out that if the Gophers are able to land all of the 4-star recruits that have verbally commited to the program at this point, they will have more 4-star recruits in this single season than the previous coaching regime was able to land in 10 years of recruiting. 10 YEARS!!! Two of those 4-star recruits, David Pittman and Traye Simmons, have already signed letters of intent and will enroll at the U next month.

As of today Minnesota is ranked by Rivals as having the 24th best recruiting class in all of college football, and the 4th best recruiting class in the Big10. Obviously these numbers are going to change, and probably significantly before National Signing Day on February 6th, 2008. But think back to the last few years, and could you even imagine the Gophers being mentioned in the Top 25 recruiting classes? Suddenly it's a possibility.

Two things happened on November 17th, 2007. First, I turned 30. But second, the 2007 Gopher Football season was finally put out of its misery. It was a painful season on the field, but we've got a lot to look forward to in the future.

Climbing the ranks

Check it out... as of today Minnesota is ranked at #22 in terms of verbal commitments by incoming recruits for next football season. If recruiting was the reason that Coach Brewster was brought in, he is doing an outstanding job making it a priority, putting it top-of-mind for coaches and fans, and in actually bringing in some quality talent.

Welcome...

to the Gold Country of Gopher Nation...

DAVID PITTMAN!!! 5'11", 195lbs., 4.6 sec 40 yard dash, duel threat quarterback from Pasedena, CA Community College.

As a quarterback for Pasedena this year, Pittman completed 66.9% of his passes for 35 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. He also ran for 572 yards and 6 touchdowns. While Pittman may challenge Weber for the starting QB position, he is a superior athlete, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him play some D-back or WR if Weber maintains his job.

Any speculation from the readers as to where Pittman might make an impact?

EDIT: thank you to the commenter who corrected me on the first name... that was dumb of me.

Ladies & Gentlemen, your 2007 MVP... DOM BARBER

Dom Barber was named as the Golden Gopher's team MVP for 2007, and I think I speak for everyone when I say that there is clearly no more deserving player on this year's team.

Thinking back to the season, I can't even guess how many times I thought, or even said out loud, "Where would this team be without him?" Not that we won any games because of Dom, but can you imagine how much worse it might have been at times without Dom Barber. Several big-play saving tackles, coming out of nowhere to bring down a guy who looked like he on his way to an easy touchdown.

Dom Barber encapsulates everything that you want to see in a Golden Gopher: a local kid with heart, speed and athletic ability all day long.

New verbal commit

Welcome to the Gold Country of Gopher Nation Rex Sharpe...

Rex will be joining us as a JUCO transfer from Arizona Western Community College in Yuma, AZ. Rex is 6'3", 245lbs, and runs a 4.5 40 yard dash.

Big, fast, athletic...

SKI-U-MAH, Rex Sharpe! SKI-U-MAH!!!

New verbal commit

Welcome to the Gold Country of Gopher Nation...

JUCO transfer Tramaine Brock. 6'0", 180lbs, 4.5 (or 4.37 depending on what site you read) 40 yard dash.

He has not been given a star-rating by Rivals, but Brock is obviously fast, and he did have a couple of other offers from SEC schools (South Carolina, Mississippi State, Ole Miss), as well as Louisville.

UPDATE:............ 12/7/07: Tramaine Brock has been given a 3-star rating from Rivals.