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Thomas Rush knows how his brain works. He's the analytical sort, someone who assesses a situation and applies the data he's acquired to an orderly plan. Definitely a color-inside-the-lines guy. "That's just kind of who I am and how I've always been,'' the Gophers senior defensive end said. Yet to tap his full potential, Rush has had to use the right side of his brain, too. In doing so, he followed the advice of Boye Mafe, the former Gophers end who combined intelligence and jaw-dropping athleticism to become a second-round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks this spring. "Boye has a really good feel for just being natural and being a player," Rush said. "… What I took from him was being able to be in what we would call 'fit ball' and play football at the same time. You know your role; you know your responsibility. Just go play and be natural and let loose a bit." The result in 2021 was Rush, a converted linebacker, putting together his best season so far as a Gopher.

The 6-3, 250-pounder had 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks among his 31 tackles. He teamed with Mafe and fellow defensive end Esezi Otomewo, a fifth-round pick by the Vikings, to combine for 22 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks on a unit that ranked third nationally in total defense (fewest yards allowed). With Mafe and Otomewo in NFL training camps this summer, Rush is expected to shoulder a larger burden for the Gophers this season. Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi sees the Marysville, Ohio, native continuing his development and becoming even more of an impact player. "He's continuing to play hard, he's continuing to be physical," Rossi said. "I've seen him start to make some gains rushing the passer. Last year, he did a really good job playing in the run game. He still had five, six sacks, but I've seen him grow there. It's a point of emphasis, and we need to continue to see him grow there." - Minneapolis Star Tribune

(DS#49 OLB) rSr/2023

OLB Thomas Rush, Minnesota
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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08/18/22 - Tyler Nubin, Sr/2024, Minnesota, 6-1, 205 (DS#2 FS) + More +

Safety Tyler Nubin, a fourth-year junior who earned honorable mention All-Big Ten last year, might be having the best training camp of any Gopher. He's developed into a confident and poised leader in a secondary that's brimming with athletic players. His highlight Monday came during a passing drill when he jumped the route on a pass that Morgan intended for Dylan Wright, intercepted it and took it back for a touchdown. "We always knew he was going to become a really, really good player,'' Rossi said. "...No one outworks him, so if you're a young guy, and you're looking at Tyler Nubin, it's like, 'This guy's really good at it and he works really, really hard. Maybe that's what I need to do." - Minneapolis Star Tribune

(DS#2 FS) Sr/2024

FS Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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08/17/22 - John Michael Schmitz, rSr/2023, Minnesota, 6-4, 301 (DS#3 C) + More +

2022 PRESEASON ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD WATCHLIST: John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota, S-Sr C,...Schmitz has been named a preseason All-American by numerous outlets entering the season. He was named All-Big Ten Second Team last season by the coaches and All-Big Ten Third Team by the media. The four-time Academic All-Big Ten standout has played in 44 career games and has made 23 starts at center for the Gophers. - Minnesota Football

(DS#3 C) rSr/2023

C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
News Source: Minnesota Football
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08/14/22 - Mariano Sori-Marin, rSr/2023, Minnesota, 6-2, 236 (DS#16 ILB) + More +

Mariano Sori-Marin knew he shouldn't touch the hot stove. Gophers coaches had warned of getting burned by being too curious and straying from discipline. Still, there Sori-Marin was, on a blitz against Maryland in 2020, trying to chase down Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. Problem was, Sori-Marin drifted too far inside on a twist with end Thomas Rush, enabling Tagovailoa to spin outside and scamper 39 yards for a touchdown in the Terrapins' 45-44 overtime win. Two years later, Sori-Marin, the Gophers fifth-year senior inside linebacker, has learned from such miscues to become a leader on a solid defense. Entering his third season as a starter, Sori-Marin and the Gophers will try to pick up where they left off last year in the Sept. 1 season opener against New Mexico State at Huntington Bank Stadium. "You can tell a kid that the stove is hot - and I got that coaching point countless times - but until you touch the stove, sometimes it has to be touched for you to truly learn what it takes,'' Sori-Marin said.

Sori-Marin embodies and embraces the "failure is growth'' mantra instilled by coach P.J. Fleck and the "attention to detail'' approach demanded by defensive coordinator Joe Rossi. The 6-3, 245-pounder from Mokena, Ill., helped the Gophers finish third nationally in total defense (fewest yards allowed) with 278.8 per game last year. Along the way, he ranked second on the team with 85 tackles and earned All-Big Ten honorable mention. He aims to keep building his game and help his team improve on last year's 9-4 record, a season in which the Gophers were a win over Iowa away from advancing to the Big Ten Championship Game. "When I look back at my early career, I didn't have as much success as I probably would have liked," Sori-Marin said from Big Ten Media Days in July, "but I understand now that it's part of the process and has made me into a better linebacker and the player I am now." - Minneapolis Star Tribune

(DS#16 ILB) rSr/2023

ILB Mariano Sori-Marin, Minnesota
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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08/12/22 - Mohamed Ibrahim, rSr/2023, Minnesota, 5-08, 203 (DS#22 RB) + More +

Early during practice on a sunny, 85-degree Tuesday, Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck put his team through a drill that featured two blockers matched up with two defenders at different levels, while a ball-carrier tried to pick his way through the mass of bodies and sprint out the other end without being tackled. All the while, teammates formed a tunnel with the offense on one side and defense on the other. First up in the drill for the offense was running back Mohamed Ibrahim, the sixth-year senior who is back on the field and taking full contact nearly a year after a ruptured left Achilles' tendon ended his season in the opener against Ohio State. In the drill, Ibrahim powered his way through a would-be tackler to his teammates' delight. Tuesday wasn't the first time since the injury that Ibrahim was back absorbing hits - that came last week - but the Baltimore native met with the media for the first time since last training camp and declared his recovery at "100 percent." "It was weird,'' he said of his first contact since his Achilles' surgery. "I hadn't been tackled since Sept. 2, so it's a rhythm thing. You just gotta learn how to do it all over again."

That shouldn't be too difficult for Ibrahim, who was doing it quite well before his injury. The 2020 Big Ten Running Back of the Year rushed for 1,076 yards and 15 touchdowns in that seven-game season, averaging 153.7 yards per game, second best in the nation. Last Sept. 2, he was picking up where he left off against No. 4 Ohio State at Huntington Bank Stadium. He tore through the Buckeyes for 162 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries during a 45-31 loss. On his 30th carry, however, Ibrahim's left calf had a telltale ripple as he planted his foot, stretching for extra yardage. Ibrahim lay on the turf, clutching at his leg, but he didn't initially believe the injury was that serious. "I thought it was just a cramp," Ibrahim said. "[Team medical staff] didn't tell me what it actually was until I was walking into the locker room. It was surprising." - Minneapolis Star Tribune

(DS#22 RB) rSr/2023

RB Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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08/11/22 - Tyler Nubin, Sr/2024, Minnesota, 6-1, 205 (DS#2 FS) + More +

Senior safety Tyler Nubin has something new to show opposing Big Ten offenses this season as he hopes to continue the Gophers' pipeline of defensive backs into the NFL. Coming off a career year, the 6-2, 210-pound Illinois native added more to his game to prove he belongs amongst the best in the country. Nubin insists his biggest area of improvement is tackling. That's surprising since he already ranked third on the Gophers with 52 tackles, along with a team-high three interceptions last season. "In the spring as well as throughout the summer, that was something you guys could see took a big leap," Nubin said. "Attacking the football and just going to get the football is something I'm going to really focus on this season." The last defensive back known for his "attacking" style that played for the Gophers was current Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who was selected in the second round of the 2020 draft.

Winfield functioned as a mentor during Nubin's freshman season in 2019. Not only did Winfield display how to ferociously attack the ball carrier, but he was an avid student of the game. Now the younger players are watching how Nubin leads by example on and off the field. "[Nubin] has been an instrumental part of what we've done," Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said at Big Ten Media Days. "We did a tape the other day for our team and showed them the big plays from last year, and Tyler Nubin was around all of those...It's great to have Tyler here." - Minneapolis Star Tribune

(DS#2 FS) Sr/2024

FS Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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08/06/22 - Corey Crooms Jr., rSr/2024, Minnesota, 5-11, 187 (DS#171 WR) + More +

Corey Crooms is the latest in a list of talented wideouts to come through Kalamazoo, and the 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior could join the likes of Greg Jennings, Jordan White, Daniel Braverman, Corey Davis, D'Wayne Eskridge and Skyy Moore as Bronco receivers to hear their names called in the NFL draft. Lester praised Crooms for improving his speed last offseason, and that paid off in the form of 768 receiving yards at 17.5 per catch with six touchdowns, including a 74-yarder in the bowl game win. The big question regarding Crooms this season is whether another receiver or tight end will be able to stop defenses from bracketing him with double coverage. There are some promising young pass catchers in the receiver room, including sophomore Anthony Sambucci (6-foot, 190 pounds), redshirt freshman Henry Wilson (6-foot, 175), redshirt freshman Kaevion Mack (6-2, 205), but none of those guys have caught a ball for the Broncos. - Kalamazoo Gazette

(DS#171 WR) rSr/2024

WR Corey Crooms Jr., Minnesota
News Source: Kalamazoo Gazette
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08/03/22 - Sean Tyler, rSr/2024, Minnesota, 5-08, 182 (DS#53 RB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST: Sean Tyler, Western Michigan,...Tyler led the Western Michigan ground attack in 2021 with 1,150 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the way to an All-MAC Second Team Offense selection. His 6.40 yards per carry average was second-highest in the conference and ranked 11th nationally. As a receiver, the Richton Park, Ill., native added 14 catches for 114 yards and a pair of scores. Tyler was also the top kickoff returner for the Broncos last season, averaging nearly 30 yards per return and taking two kicks back for touchdowns. He was one of just 12 players in all of FBS to have multiple kickoff return touchdowns in 2021. - Western Michigan Football

(DS#53 RB) rSr/2024

RB Sean Tyler, Minnesota
News Source: Western Michigan Football
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08/03/22 - Tanner Morgan, rSr/2023, Minnesota, 6-0, 204 (DS#21 QB) + More +

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (6-2, 215) is the key cog in the Gophers' "Encore Four" expected to lead the team in 2022. The quartet of sixth-year seniors on offense who stuck around for one more kick at the collegiate can includes Morgan, running back Mohamed Ibrahim, center John Michael Schmitz and wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell have been in the program since 2017. Morgan, of course, is the key to the offense. Entering his fifth year as starter, he will try to rebound from a season in which the passing game sputtered in losses to Bowling Green and Illinois. Helping in that task will be Kirk Ciarrocca, who is back as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach after two years away. Under Ciarrocca, Morgan passed for single-season school records of 3,253 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2019, stats bolstered by the presence of future NFL receivers Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman. - Minneapolis Star Tribune

(DS#21 QB) rSr/2023

QB Tanner Morgan, Minnesota
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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08/02/22 - TreVon Jones, Sr/2024, Minnesota, 5-11, 172 (DS#144 CB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON ALL-CAA CONFERENCE HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES/MEDIA): Tre'Von Jones, CB, Elon,...Jones was third team All-CAA last year, posting 53 tackles, 5.0 for loss, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He had a season-high nine tackles against Campbell with a fumble recovery and an interception. He added an interception in a road win at Richmond. - Elon Football

(DS#144 CB) Sr/2024

CB TreVon Jones, Minnesota
News Source: Elon Football
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07/30/22 - Mariano Sori-Marin, rSr/2023, Minnesota, 6-2, 236 (DS#16 ILB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON BUTKUS AWARD WATCHLIST: Mariano Sori-Marin, Minnesota,...Sori-Marin is Minnesota's leading returning tackler as he notched 85 stops last season. He also added 4.5 tackles for loss, broke up three passes, forced two fumbles and made one interception. Sori-Marin started all 13 games and the three-time Academic All-Big Ten standout was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season. For his career, Sori-Marin has played in 44 games and made 186 tackles. He has 3.5 tackles for loss, broke up seven passes, forced three fumbles and made one interception. - Minnesota Football

(DS#16 ILB) rSr/2023

ILB Mariano Sori-Marin, Minnesota
News Source: Minnesota Football
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07/29/22 - Mohamed Ibrahim, rSr/2023, Minnesota, 5-08, 203 (DS#22 RB) + More +

Minnesota saw a fearsome foursome stay in the Twin Cities for 2022. Quarterback Tanner Morgan, running back Mohamed Ibrahim, wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell and offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz all enter their sixth collegiate seasons for the Gophers. Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck rattled off a nickname for the quartet of super-seniors: the "Encore Four." Morgan leads the Gophers offense with 8,072 passing yards and 56 touchdown passes to his name from 2018-21. Autman-Bell emerged as one of Morgan's targets, catching 36 passes for 506 yards and six touchdowns in 2021 (114 career receptions for 1,756 yards and 12 touchdowns in the last four seasons). Schmitz, a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches in 2021, recently claimed Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy watch list honors for the upcoming season.

Ibrahim comes back to Minnesota with two 1,000-yard rushing seasons already on his résumé, along with being named a first-team All-Big Ten selection and the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten running back of the year in 2020. His 2021 season started hot, scorching Ohio State for 163 yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns in the opener before a torn Achilles cost him the rest of the year. "Decided to come back, not only for himself, but for his teammates, and I think that kind of spread through our entire team," Fleck said. "John Michael Schmitz's coming back, Tanner Morgan coming back, 'Crab' coming back, Chris Autman-Bell. They made choices based on really what Mo was going to do. "Mo could have gone to the National Football League because as he would say, 5'8" is 5'8". He's not getting any taller. But he did it for the team, and he did it to kind of put a different ending to what happened." - Wisconsin State Journal

(DS#22 RB) rSr/2023

RB Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
News Source: Wisconsin State Journal
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07/29/22 - John Michael Schmitz, rSr/2023, Minnesota, 6-4, 301 (DS#3 C) + More +

2022 PRESEASON OUTLAND TROPHY WATCHLIST: C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota,...Schmitz has been named a preseason All-American by numerous outlets entering the season. He was named All-Big Ten Second Team last season by the coaches and All-Big Ten Third Team by the media. The four-time Academic All-Big Ten standout has played in 44 career games and has made 23 starts at center for the Gophers. - Minnesota Football

(DS#3 C) rSr/2023

C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
News Source: Minnesota Football
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07/29/22 - Mohamed Ibrahim, rSr/2023, Minnesota, 5-08, 203 (DS#22 RB) + More +

Mo Ibrahim and Trey Potts weren't cloaked in bubble wrap during spring practices in March, but the affect was the same as the Gophers' top running back duo watched as teammates went through contact drills and scrimmages. That will change on Monday. After serious injuries ended their 2021 seasons by early October, Ibrahim and Potts have been cleared for full contact and will have a month to prepare for the season opener against Jerry Kill-coached New Mexico State on Sept. 1 at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Ibrahim ruptured his Achilles tendon in the season opener against Ohio State, then Potts suffered an undisclosed injury in the win over Purdue a month later. Potts' ailment was severe enough to cause a six-night hospital stay in Indiana. At Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday, head coach P.J. Fleck said Ibrahim was "full strength" and "ready to roll." Fleck said the program will try to be smart with Ibrahim during preseason camp, giving him the scrimmage-type hits he needs to reacquaint himself with the physical rushing style that has brought the 2020 Big Ten running back of the year so much success. "So, when he gets to the game, that last step (live contact) isn't a worry," Fleck said. - Star Tribune

(DS#22 RB) rSr/2023

RB Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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07/25/22 - John Michael Schmitz, rSr/2023, Minnesota, 6-4, 301 (DS#3 C) + More +

2022 PRESEASON RIMINGTON TROPHY WATCHLIST: John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota,...Announced on Dec. 13, 2021, that he was returning to Minnesota for the 2022 season...has played in 44 career games and made 23 starts at center...Started all 13 games at center and blocked for an offense that totaled 4,681 yards and averaged 25.46 points per game in 2021. - Minnesota Football

(DS#3 C) rSr/2023

C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
News Source: Minnesota Football
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