Gophers football: 7 observations from preseason camp. What stood out?

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The Gophers defense lacked any interceptions during its first open practice of preseason camp last week and went without any takeaways for a long stretch to start Thursday’s session.

Then Minnesota’s unit produced two picks within the same team period. Linebacker Matt Kingsbury intercepted starting quarterback Drake Lindsey, and a few plays later, Lehigh transfer safety Mekhai Smith picked off backup QB Max Shikenjanski.

Both Kingsbury and Smith are locked in their own respective position battles, so those splash plays will help burnish their resumes.

Minnesota’s defense focuses on forcing the ball out of an opposing offense’s hands, but they had only 16 takeaways in 13 games last season for a middle-of-the-pack ranking of 67th in the nation a year ago.

Here are six other observations from the second of three practices open to reporters before the season opener against Eastern Illinois at Huntington Bank Stadium on Sept. 3.

— The Gophers kicker competition appears to have a frontrunner in Michigan transfer Beckham Sunderland. He made four field goals between 40 and 50 yards on Thursday; Daniel Jackson also made one from that range.

Plus, last year’s kicker, Brady Denaburg, is currently with the team as the federal court injunction currently allows qualifying players in the Class of 2022 an extra year of eligibility. Denaburg is the only player from last year’s roster to be able to explore playing another year.

The Tenth Circuit will soon hear an NCAA appeal of the injunction to determine if those players will actually get a chance to play.

New special teams coordinator Daniel Da Prato said he is used to having three kickers on depth charts, so Denaburg’s inclusion would help the U reach that number. But Denaburg struggled from long range last fall; he made only 67% of his total field goals (14 of 21) in 2025.

— Freshman tight end Roman Voss turned heads last week by lining up in multiple offensive positions spots, including wildcat quarterback. But the four-star prospect had a much quieter practice on Thursday.

The Jackson County Central High School alum bobbled a pass but made the catch for a short gain at the end of a team period. Then had two consecutive drops, including getting popped in the back by a defender on the second miscue.

He did, however, bounce back to made a tough catch in traffic.

— Right tackle D.J. Shipp and linebacker Joey Gerlach wore the orange “juice” jerseys on Thursday; it’s a new honor for outstanding hustle in the previous practice.

Shipp and Tennessee transfer Bennett Warren are locked in a position battle, but Warren (leg) was sidelined Thursday with what is expected to be a short-term injury. Shipp appears to be seizing the opening.

“He had such a phenomenal day the other day,” head coach P.J. Fleck said. “He looked like a young Aireontae” (Ersery — the former All-American tackle who was drafted in the second round by the Houston Texans in 2025).

Gerlach, who is coming back from a season-ending knee injury last year, deconstructed a block from receiver Javon Tracy to blow up a play for running back TJ Thomas.

“It’s cool when you come from injury like that and football is taken away from you, you can see the guys that really love football,” defensive coordinator Danny Collins said. “When they come back, how hard they play.”

— Cornerback John Nestor and tight end Pierce Walsh each wore added protection on their injured hands on Thursday but still took part in some elements of practice.

Besides those two presumptive starters playing through ailments, running back Zeke Bates, safety Zahir Rainer and receiver Hayden Moore were among the sidelined group on Thursday. For one, Moore, a promising freshman, is not expected to be out long.

— Da Prato shared the learning curve he had to go through in joining Fleck’s unique “Row the Boat” program.

“I had a … two-hour and 33-minute culture meeting where we learned about the culture and toured the facility,” he said. “I walked into the facility and I got to learn what is going on because I’m (now) a part of the culture.”

As New Mexico’s special teams coordinator last year, Da Prato witnessed Fleck’s program first hand from the other sideline in the U’s 20-17 win in the Rate Bowl in Phoenix on Dec. 26. He joined Minnesota’s staff in January.

— The Gophers will hold a closed, live scrimmage on Saturday to end the second week of camp. The program will try to simulate a gameday environment as much as possible within its stadium.

“It’s giving the guys the expereince,” Fleck said. “Then you start to get a good feel of who is going to play and who isn’t.”

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