Gophers hope to stay on track with Claeys officially in charge

Minnesota underwent quite a bit of change over the last year, when Jerry Kill officially stepped away from coaching. They also lost their athletic director, which put them in a unique position this off-season.

Long-time Kill coordinator Tracy Claeys was officially named the Gophers head man before a new athletic director was hired UM. Can Claeys keep things going?

HOL caught up with GopherIllustrated.com's Nick Williams to get his thoughts and perspective on the Gophers coming out of the spring.

Claeys wasted no time going in a different direction at Minnesota. He let go of offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Matt Limegrover and quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski.

Jay Johnson was hired from Louisiana-Lafayette as the new offensive coordinator, while Bart Miller from Florida Atlantic is the new offensive line coach.

The Gophers averaged just 22.5 points and 358.9 yards per game in 2015 - two areas that played a major factor in them finishing 6-7.

The Gophers returns quarterback Mitch Leidner, running back Shannon Brooks, tight end Brandon Lingen and offensive linemen Tyler Moore, Jonah Pirsig and Connor Mayes.

On defense safety Adekunle Ayinde, defensive end Hendrick Ekpe, linebacker Jack Lynn, cornerback Jalen Myrick, safety Damarius Travis, linebacker Cody Pooch and defensive tackles Andrew Stelter and Steven Richardson all return.

Yes Leidner is going to play a big factor for the success of this Gopher offense, but Brooks may be the most important player.

Last season Brooks ran for 709 yards on just 119 carries. He also returns his backfield mate Rodney Smith, who had 670 yards rushing on 157 carries in 2015. Realistically the Gophers need Brooks to go over 1,000 yards rushing if they want their offense to take the next step. Last season Minnesota was ranked 11th in the league with just 144.1 rushing yards per game.

After suffering a season ending hamstring injury last season against TCU, safety Damarius Travis received a medical redshirt and should be one of the stars of this Gopher defense. He was also named a captain heading into the 2016 season.

Minnesota defensive coordinator Jay Sawvel said Travis was the one guy they could not afford to loose last year because of his ability to play in so many different areas in the secondary.

Last season wide receiver Rashad Still had some moments, finishing with 194 yards receiving on 18 catches, but this spring he appeared to take another step forward.

Expect big things this year from the sophomore as he could be Leidner's main target at wide receiver. He made some big time catches this spring, especially downfield. He has the ability to go over the top of defensive backs.

There was a lot of intrigue with the Minnesota offensive line this spring. They moved Jonah Pirsig around a lot this spring, and they brought in two new junior college players as well.

Both Garrison Wright (left tackle) and Vincent Calhoun (right guard) are expected to come in and start as junior college newcomers.

It feels like Leidner has been the starting quarterback at Minnesota since 2009. He will be making his second start in Lincoln this year against the Huskers and many early NFL draft boards have him as a projected first round draft pick as an overall athlete.

Some have compared him to former Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones, who went on to be a first round draft pick at tight end/wide receiver. The question is can Leidner be the complete quarterback it takes to put Minnesota in the discussion for the Big Ten West.

Leidner's offensive line and their ability to protect will be another big question this team has to answer.

Williams: "I think they have a chance to start the season at 3-1 when you look at their schedule. There are some games you could see the Gophers winning if they play to their potential.

"Even though a new staff has come in at a few key spots, a lot is still the same. I still see them having a winning record and making another bowl game."