Minnesota Gophers- On the Recruiting Trail

Question whatever you’d like regarding Tim Brewster’s first two seasons with Minnesota, just do not question his uncanny knack for recruiting. Coach Brewster and his staff sell hard and refuse to take no for an answer. With the grand opening of TCF Bank Stadium set to be under way in less than a month and a preseason award nominated Quarterback in Adam Weber and Wide Receiver Eric Decker, his sales pitch for the 2010 recruits is probably a little easier than in past seasons.

Brewster already has 12 recruits (with a clear emphasis on rebuilding the offensive line) who have already verbally committed to the University of Minnesota according to Rivals.com, giving them the 35 th ranked recruiting class in the nation. Here they are-

Lamonte Edwards OLB/RB 4 Star 6’2, 215 Woodbury, MN Edwards passed on Wisconsin and Iowa for Minnesota. He is the 26 th ranked athlete in the country.

Matt Eggen OL 3 Star 6’5, 290 La Crosse, WI Eggen received offers from Western Michigan, Marshall, and North Dakota State University

Zac Epping OL 3 Star 6’2, 274 Kenosha, WI Epping favored the Gophers over Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, and Central Michigan

Jimmy Gjere OL 4 Star 6’7, 275 New Brighton, MN Gjere’s other offer- University of Wisconsin. He is the 6 th ranked OL in the country.

Donnell Kirkwood RB 3 Star 5’10, 197 Delray Beach, FL Kirkwood received offers from Rutgers, Kansas State, and Pittsburgh.

Mark Lenkiewicz OL 3 Star 6’5, 250 Tinley Park, IL The Gophers beat Colorado State and Ball State to Lenkiewicz.

Antoine Lewis DB 3 Star 5’10, 175 Maywood, IL Lewis’s other offers came from Western Michigan and Bowling Green.

Dwayne Mitchell LB 2 Star 6’2, 220 New Orleans, LA Mitchell selected Minnesota over Louisiana Tech and Louisiana Monroe.

Tom Parish QB 3 Star 6’3, 200 Hartland, WI Parish received offers from Iowa and Western Michigan. He is the 14 th ranked QB in the nation.

Kip Smith K 3 Star 6’1, 200 Broomfield, CO Offers came from Miami (Ohio) and Louisiana Monroe. Ranked as the 3 rd best kicker.

Allen Veazie DB NR 5’11, 165 Houston, TX

Doral Willis DT 2 Star 6’0, 332 Pahokee, FL Willis passed on Wake Forest and Florida International for the University of Minnesota.

Brewster and his staff also have Minnesota in the running for several other high profile players ranked in Rivals. Com’s top 250-

Seantrel Henderson OL 5 Star Henderson is commonly thought of as the top player in the country. Luckily for Minnesota, he’s from St. Paul. He is also considering the University of Florida, University of Miami, Notre Dame, University of Southern California, Ohio State University, and Oklahoma University, among others.

Shakim Phillips WR 4 Star Phillips is a playmaker that would help fill a need with Decker’s departure. He is also considering the University of North Carolina, Georgia, Boston College, and Tennessee.

Sean Parker DB 4 Star Parker is the type of athlete you need to bring in if you expect to turn the corner at Minnesota. He’ll solidify the secondary for three to four years. He’s also receiving offers from Nick Saban at Alabama, Georgia, and Penn State.

Dontae Williams RB 4 Star Minnesota has a great opportunity to get the power running game back in place with Williams. He’s also considering Oregon, Oregon State, Arkansas, and Cal.

Brandon Gainer RB 4 Star Gainer will be a tough get for Brewster, but no impossible. Minnesota’s emphasis on the running game will help lure prospects hoping to be the next Barber or Maroney. Gainer is being recruited by Clemson, Miami, Michigan, Florida, and Florida State University.

Cameron Roberson RB 4 Star Another running back recruit for the Gophers. Roberson is being chased by Notre Dame, UCLA, and Washington.

If Brewster and his coaching staff can close in the same manner that they are accustomed to, Minnesota will be a major player at signing day. From where I’m sitting, a top 15 class is not out of the question and most certainly has to be at the front of Tim Brewster’s mind. Minnesota needs this class to be strong if it wants to get in the running with the elite in the Big Ten. Now is the time.

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