Two Minnesota Gopher Hockey Players Depart

Two Minnesota Gopher Hockey players have left the program. According to the Star Tribune, Nick Leddy will forgo his final 3 seasons and sign with the Chicago Blackhawks and Josh Birkholz will sign with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL and lose his NCAA eligibility. Nick Leddy was drafted by the Minnesota Wild last season but then they traded him midway through the year to Chicago. Rumors surfaced last week that the Blackhawks were thrilled with his performance at their developmental camp. Birkholz was drafted by the Florida Panthers in last year's draft. To get any Gopher game tickets for next season check out Ticket King!

Tubby Smith Accuses Memphis Coach of Violation

Tubby Smith is accusing Memphis Tigers basketball coach Josh Pastner of committing an illegal recruiting violation for watching Trevor Mbwake play in a summer league game. Pastner came to Minnesota to watch the Best Buy Summer League Classic in Bloomington for some of his potential recruiting targets earlier this month. However, he also stopped at the Howard-Pulley Pro-Am League in St. Paul to watch Mbwake who is considering transferring from Minnesota. The Howard-Pulley Pro-Am League is a non-certified NCAA event and Pastner may have broken an NCAA rule by attending. According to the Pioneer Press, Smith stated "I think they probably misunderstood what the rules were, it might have been miscommunication or something."

Safety Kim Royston Plans to Play in Opener

Minnesota Gopher Football captain Kim Royston told the Star Tribune that he plans on playing in the season opener after he broke two bones in his left leg during spring practice. The starting safety had 86 tackles last season and 1 interception after transferring from the Wisconsin Badgers. It was feared that he would be lost for the season when it happened but his recovery has been going quicker than expected. After breaking his fibula and tibia in his lower left leg, Kim Royston needed two surgeries and a metal rod inserted in his leg to stabilize the break. His return will be a big boost to the defense.

Minnesota Gophers Will Need a Running Game

Since Laurence Maroney left for the NFL in 2006, the Minnesota Gophers have not been able to develop a running game. They struggled last season in the running department, finishing last in the Big Ten in rushing yards. The primary running backs were DeLeon Eskridge, Duane Bennett, and Kevin Whaley. Bennett and Eskridge will return this season and Kevin Whaley has been kicked off the team. Joining the tandem will be Lamonte Edwards, Donnell Kirkwood, Devon Wright, and R.J. Buckner. Of these players, the Minnesota Gophers will be looking for one of these guys to emerge as the go-to-guy at running back. If Minnesota can get the ground game going it will help them manage the clock and balance defenses. With Adam Weber at quarterback, the Minnesota Gophers hope to discover the ground game to compliment the passing attack.

Royce White Transfers to Iowa State

Minnesota Gopher basketball fans believed Royce White was the best in state recruit they landed in some years after he committed to Minnesota. However, Royce White made it official he will not be at Minnesota anymore. White decided to transfer to Iowa State University and play under head coach Fred Hoiberg. Fred Hoiberg is a former Minnesota Timberwolf and worked in the front office with the Timberwolves. Royce White chose Iowa State over Kentucky and Baylor. This leaves fans wondering what could have been. Royce White didn't play last season because of legal issues and had to contribute most likely in him leaving. He played at De La Salle High School before transferring to Hopkins and winning a state championship.

Adam Weber Ready for Record Season

Senior quarterback Adam Weber is already the Minnesota Gophers football career record holder for passing yards. He surpassed former Minnesota quarterback Bryan Cupito last season with 8,238 yards for his three year career. He comes into the 2010-2011 season with big expectations and the hope that he can elevate the Gophers football team into contention for the Big 10 Title. Adam Weber just needs 1,762 passing yards to become the 5th Big Ten player to throw for over 10,000 yards. He needs 4 touchdown passes to become Minnesota's all-time leader in touchdown passes. This will be Adam Weber's 4th year starting. The success the 2010 Minnesota Gopher football team will hinge on the veteran starter. Minnesota Gopher football tickets for the 2010-2011 season are already on sale at http://www.gopherfootballtickets.com/. Buy your Minnesota Gopher Football tickets today!

USC Grants Release To Seantrel Henderson

Most Gopher Football fans know the name Seantrel Henderson pretty well. The Minnesota native who played football for Cretin-Derham Hall was recruited by virtually everyone in the country. He was ranked as high as #1 by recruiting sites and at least in the top ten overall for recruits by other sites in the country. The hometown team made a big bid to get him, but to no avail, Seantrel Henderson committed to USC. Speculation surfaced after USC's sanctions handed to them by the NCAA that Seantrel Henderson was possibly withdrawing his commitment to USC and looking elsewhere. That became official yesterday when coach Lane Kiffin released Seantrel Henderson and he is able to go anywhere now without having to sit a year. The two choices that seem to be the front-runners now are Ohio State and Miami. Minnesota was in his list of top 6 before so anything is possible and Gophers fans can only hope.

Trevor Mbakwe and Royce White Rumored To Transfer

Last season was supposed to be a big season for the Minnesota Gopher basketball team. With incoming heralded recruits Trevor Mbakwe, Royce White, and Rodney Williams, the team had lofty expectations. A Big 10 Title and a Top 15 team in the country was considered in the realm of possibility. Unfortunately, Minnesota never got to put all the recruits on the floor. Because of legal issues, recruits Royce White and Trevor Mbakwe were not allowed to play. Athletic Director Joel Maturi made the decision that both could not play until their legal issues were carried out. The process was never finished in court this season and both players did not play. Now, rumors are spreading that both players may be leaving. It has been rumored that Royce White may be heading to Kentucky or Iowa State, and Trevor Mbakwe to Memphis. There's still some faith that both players can somehow stay with the Maroon and Gold. Both played high school in Minnesota and Gopher fans are familiar with the athletes. This offseason will show if these players are committed to Minnesota or if they will defunct elsewhere.