Gophers football: 11 observations from spring practice. Who stood out?

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The Gophers football program welcomed 36 new players into the fold for spring ball including a handful of transfers and true freshmen who stood out during Saturday’s practice at the U’s indoor facility.

Minnesota opened its third session of the spring, and first in pads, to reporters and high school coaches.

Here are 11 observations as the U works toward the spring game on April 25 at Huntington Bank Stadium:

— The biggest offensive highlight was Cincinnati transfer receiver Noah Jennings hauling in a 40-yard touchdown pass from redshirt sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey.

Jennings, who is listed at 6-foot and 190 pounds, made the contested catch over cornerback Mike Gerald, who was providing good coverage. The U lacked contested catches from wideouts last season, so that explosive play was an improved result.

— One of the best defensive snaps Saturday came with a QB pressure from California transfer defensive end T.J. Bush. His rep drew praise from head coach P.J. Fleck, defensive coordinator Danny Collins and teammates.

The 6-3, 265-pound edge was credited with 91 total pressures across his one year at Cal and two seasons at Liberty, according to Pro Football Focus. He had four pressures and a sack in the Golden Bears’ 27-14 win over Minnesota in Berkeley last September.

“He’s just relentless,” Fleck said. “We saw the same thing when we played Cal. We just couldn’t block him.”

— The position battle at right tackle is between redshirt freshman Daniel Shipp and redshirt sophomore Tennessee transfer Bennett Warren. It was a bit of a surprise to see Shipp take more reps with the first team on Saturday. Minnesota had senior Dylan Ray in this spot last year and the Kentucky transfer was average, at best.

— The Gophers have incorporated an orange “juice jersey” for those who practice the hardest each session. It was an idea from assistant defensive line coach Travis Moore; he and Fleck were college teammates at Northern Illinois.

Linebacker Maverick Baranowski and tight end Pierce Walsh wore the No. 1 shirts on Saturday. Running back Darius Taylor and linebacker Matt Kingsbury had them on earlier in the week.

With the exits of Jameson Geers and Devon Williams, Walsh and Kingsbury will be two key cogs expected to step into bigger roles in 2026.

— Auburn transfer receiver Perry Thompson received a coaching point from offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh; it appeared to be over how to finish a drill with more effort.

At 6-3 and 210 pounds, Thompson is an intriguing prospect for Minnesota. He had 22 receptions for 280 yards and a TD in his two years at the SEC school.

— Lindsey, running back Darius Taylor and a handful of other teammates are working with a chef who was set up by the team nutritionalist.

“It’s been really beneficial for the people that are doing it,” said Lindsey, who looks thinner this spring.

— Safety Kerry Brown, who is listed at 5-10 and 190 pounds,  looks like he added muscle to his frame since last season. The junior earned all-Big Ten honorable mention honors in 2025 and was fourth on the team with 56 total tackles. He will be counted on more with Koi Perich transferring to Oregon.

— Going into his redshirt sophomore season, Lindsey wants to be a “way more poised player” in his second season as QB1. “The first four games, you are kind of figuring stuff out as a starting quarterback,” Lindsey said.

A year ago, Lindsey made a jump in Week 4 with 324 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-28 comeback win over Rutgers.

— Fleck put a big focus Saturday on the kicker competition between senior Michigan transfer Beckham Sunderland and redshirt freshman Daniel Jackson of Alexandria. A few practice periods were focused on those two, with many more rounds to come this spring.

“We are in a heated battle,” Fleck said. “And they will feel it.”

Who has a bigger leg will be important. Brady Denaburg was 2 for 7 from 40 yards or longer last season and his miss against Northwestern led to a loss at Wrigley Field.

— As Za’Quan Bryan transferred on to South Florida, Michigan State transfer Aydan West appears to be the No. 2 cornerback behind John Nestor.

“Aydan is a very good player,” Nestor said. “Aydan is probably one of the fastest on the team.”

— A handful of players missed Saturday’s practice due to injuries. Notables: guard Greg Johnson, running back A.J. Turner, safety Aidan Gousby, linebacker Joey Gerlach and defensive tackles Theorin Randle and Zion Chapman, a new transfer from Florida International.

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