The Minnesota Gophers Football team hosted a media event yesterday at the University’s Athletic Village. Twenty-one players were interviewed with questions ranging from what are your goals for the season to what is your Snap score (kidding)? To a player, they were excited about the start of the season and the team’s chances for a successful campaign. Below are questions I asked some of the players at the event and their corresponding answers.
Gophers Players Interviews
New Leaf News (NLN): With all of the new additions at the position, what is the state of the Gophers’ receiving room now?
Wide receiver Le’Meke Brockington: “This is the most talented wide receiver room we’ve ever had, probably the most experienced, most versatile. I think these guys right here are probably some of the hardest workers. We love being around each other. Even outside of football, we love hanging out with each other. It’s something special.”
NLN: You have been working with Tanner Morgan (former Gophers’ quarterback). What have you learned from him?
Quarterback Drake Lindsey: “Tanner is awesome. He’s been great to learn from mentally. He’s been through this. He’s been with coach Fleck and been around coach Harbaugh (Gophers’ head coach P.J. Fleck and offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh). More of a leadership mentor but a friendship also. Getting to learn from him, what he experienced as Minnesota’s starting quarterback for three-four years. And what he can teach me going into this year.”
NLN: What’s your mindset heading into the season?
Running back Darius Taylor: “The biggest thing is staying healthy. Make sure I’m here for the team. I’m excited to help this team be great. We have a lot of guys on our team that are super connected. We do a good job of being together, wanting play for each other. So, the biggest mindset is staying healthy and doing what I can to help them win.”
NLN: Anthony, you had a nice season for the Gophers last year. What are you trying to improve upon the most?
Defensive end Anthony Smith: “It starts with my preparation. What is the offense going to do? At the end of the day, it’s watching film. What are the back sets going to do? What does the quarterback’s drop-back going to look like? I just keep improving on process and what’s going to happen in a game. Some special stuff could happen.”
NLN: How do you and Koi (Perich) complement each other on the field?
Safety Kerry Brown: “Koi is amazing. Me and him on the field together, it’s great. We tell each other, whatever the guy does, you have to make the play. Talking to each other and making sure we’re good.”
NLN: You have a lot of new guys on the line and people playing different positions. How has the communication been?
Guard Greg Johnson: “I think it has been going great. Obviously, it’s a process. We’re just attacking it one day at a time. I think our room is getting really connected. I think that really helps. Fall camp is really when we’ll get tested, and I’m excited to see how that communication is.”
NLN: On your interception against Maryland, it looked like they were throwing the ball right at you. Is it instinct, field intelligence, or a little of everything that makes you spot the ball like that?
Safety Koi Perich: “I just give credit to my teammates. They make it pretty easy for me. Anthony Smith. That was the guy. He made the play. I was just there. And the spotlight is where the ball goes, but it was really Anthony Smith. I’ll take it, but Anthony Smith did the work.”
More Gophers
The University of Minnesota football team will host open practice on Saturday, Aug. 2. The event is free to the public and starts at 6 pm (CT) at Huntington Bank Stadium.
And the Gophers start their 2025-26 season against the Buffalo Bulls at 7 pm (CT) at Huntington Bank Stadium.
