The Minnesota Gophers Football team conducted a spirited open practice Thursday at Huntington Bank Stadium. It was pad-on-pad as the players battled for positions and prepared for the start of the season. Some players solidified their starting roles while others remained locked in contests for playing time.

And injuries have started to rear their heads as players have been asked to step up to handle new or expanded roles. There was a heavy emphasis on offense at the practice, and Drake Lindsey and the Gophers ‘ first-team offense got a lot of field time. The first team defense used a heavy rotation on Thursday, giving some under-the-radar players a chance to shine.

We also received our first real look at Minnesota’s kick and punt units. Minnesota is the only Big Ten team to retain its head coach, offensive and defensive coordinators, and starting quarterback, and that continuity was clear when observing the team. In Part 1, we reviewed the Gophers’ offense. Now let’s take a look at Minnesota’s defense and special teams. Then we’ll hear from coach Fleck, Drake Lindsey and Anthony Smith.

A Review of the Gophers’ 2026-27 Defense

Several members of the Gophers’ defense got time off Thursday. Preseason All-American edge rusher Anthony Smith was on the sidelines for most of the day, getting much-needed rest. His usual backup, Jaxson Howard, was on the sidelines with a cast on his right wrist.

In his place, Clemson transfer Adam Kissayl got most of the reps. This is a situation worth watching. Seniors TJ Bush and Karter Menz continue to alternate at the other edge position. Look for freshman Ayden Aytch and junior Sam Macy to see some time here as well.

At tackle, Marshall transfer Naquan Crowder and Riley Sunram are the top of a unit with some depth. Alternating with those two will be senior Theo Randle and Mo Saine, who had an excellent practice on Thursday. Maverick Baranowski is a three-year starter at linebacker and one of the leaders of the defense. Matt Kingsbury and Joey Gerlach split time at the other linebacker spot. And expect to see Emmanuel Karmo get his chance, especially in blitz situations.

At cornerback for the Gophers, senior John Nestor had the play of the day, picking off a pass as he was falling out of bounds. Expect big things from him this season. Opposite Nestor, I expect Michigan State transfer Aydan West to get the call with Mike Gerald and Naiim Parrish in reserve roles.

Another defensive leader, senior Kerry Brown, will be the heart of the Gophers’ secondary at one safety spot. And Fleck is particularly enthusiastic about Zach Harden, who has the inside track to start opposite Brown. Behind Brown and Harden are the versatile pair of Aidan Gousby and Garrison Monroe, who alternated between safety and nickel corner. And senior Parker Knutson contributed a pair of interceptions on Thursday.

Gophers’ Special Teams

Of the three kickers who performed at the open practice, returning starter Brady Denaburg looked the most polished. But per Andy Greeder of the Pioneer Press, Denaburg has been ruled ineligible after a court hearing on the matter. The other two kickers in camp, Daniel Jackson and Michigan transfer Beckham Sunderland, did not distinguish themselves on Thursday.

But the Gophers announced on Friday that former New Mexico kicker Luke Drzewiecki has signed with the team, following the Lobos’ former special teams coach Daniel Da Prato to Minnesota. However, his eligibility to play has not been decided. Returnee Tom Weston will handle the punting duties. Noah Jennings, Jalen Smith, and Javon Tracy all practiced punt returns on Thursday. My guess is Tracy wins this competition.

Comments from Coach Fleck, Drake Lindsey, Anthony Smith

New Leaf News: P.J., the Gophers are returning their head coach, your offensive and defensive coordinators, and your quarterback. How does that play out in practice and prepping for the season?

P.J. Fleck: “It’s the familiarity. We’ve already started to look at some game plan stuff as we move forward. But I think it’s a lot of familiarity for the team. Same terminology, same system, keep growing within the system. Same ways of being coached, from the same type of coaching methods. Now, obviously, you want to continue to improve.

“Do all your off-season studies, apply those things, which I think our coaches have done. But I think the familiarity and the cultural sustainability is important in that. But now we’ve got to go out and perform. Now we’ve got to go out there and actually do it. You know, it’s one thing about having the whole off-season to get better at it, and then you’ve got to go out there and do it and execute it.”

NLN: Drake, how’s that next level of learning? Not only completing the pass, but did it go to the right receiver? Was it the right call? Did you lead the receiver?

Drake Lindsey: “As you get to this point, you’ve got to keep being super hard on yourself about the really small details because you can be comfortable saying it was a good ball, but how much better can you make that ball or the little details with your wide eyes? It’s getting on the same page with them and letting the O-line see it too. I think when the O-line gets to watch seven-on-seven on film and see the wideouts making explosive plays even when they’re not around, I think that gives them some extra motivation too.”

NLN: Anthony, you’re one of the leaders of this Gophers’ team now. How do you work with the younger guys? Do you approach them or wait for them to come to you? What’s your dialogue with them?

Anthony Smith: “Well, as a leader, you’ve got to meet them where they’re at. You don’t expect them to be where you’re at right now. I shouldn’t expect somebody like one of the guys like Ayden (Aytch), to be where I’m at. So, again, I’m talking to him, being at his level, and getting to know who he is as a person. So, again, just meeting him where he’s at and not where I’m at.”