Max Brosmer’s one year as a Gopher saw the graduate transfer quarterback from New Hampshire complete 66.5% of his passes, just off the program record, and throw for 18 touchdowns. He’s an NFL draft prospect now, and that leaves redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey, Georgia Tech junior transfer Zach Pyron and 2024 Virginia Tech transfer Dylan Wittke among those competing for the job.
While neither Fleck nor Harbaugh will anoint a starter before training camp in August, Lindsey might be the front-runner. He’s certainly following the Brosmer leadership playbook by leading a training/bonding trip to Georgia over spring break last week.
“Drake is coming into his own,” junior running back Darius Taylor said. “He’s been doing well commanding the offense.”
Taylor’s doing that, too. He averaged 133.2 rushing yards in 2023, then led all Big Ten backs with 54 receptions for 350 yards last year. He’ll be working for a new running backs coach this season with Jayden Everett, hired after Nic McKissic-Luke left for the New York Jets. “He’s going to allow me to be me,” Taylor said of Everett. “And that’s something I’m excited about.”
The Corey Hetherman era of Gophers defense lasted only one year, but it was a good one. Minnesota’s defense rebounded from a poor showing in 2023 (26.7 points allowed per game, 69th nationally) to allow only 16.9 points per game last year, ninth nationally. Hetherman left to become defensive coordinator at Miami (Fla.), and Fleck quickly promoted safeties coach Danny Collins to coordinator.
Collins will use what he calls the H.A.V.O.C. defense — How. Attack. Violence. One. Compete. “I’ve recruited these guys,” Collins said. “I know exactly how they play the game and how exactly we can plug them into a scheme.” Key to that will be the outstanding depth at safety, led by Koi Perich, a second-team All-America honoree as a true freshman last year.
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