Minnesota Golden Gopher head coach Jerry Kill wants guys with the right the character, attitude and passion. He also wants good football players that fit his system.
The Minnesota Golden Gopher football team signed 19 players on National Signing Day that the coaching staff hopes will fit those traits over their remaining eligibility.
Here is one of those recruits; wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky.
High School: Canyon County (Calif.)
Hometown: Santa Clarita, Calif.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 208
My analysis: Limited viewing - precise route runner - sure hands - accelerates to get under the ball when it is in the air - does not have great speed, but separates from defensive backs - not afraid of contact - not elusive runner, but has the strength and balance to break tackles.
ESPN's analysis: Possesses good size and strength as an outside receiver - positions himself nicely against defensive back leverage - knows when to hit top speed and when to tempo routes - understanding of where he is on the field relative to the sidelines, uses his body well to shield defenders - sustains big hits and maintains the catch, tough in traffic and does not shy away from contact - decisive after the catch with no wasted cuts - can play inside or outside using technique and strength.
GopherSports.com Overview: Record-breaking wide receiver in California - Scout.com and Rivals.com both list him as a three-star recruit - Scout ranks him as the 97th best wide receiver in the nation, while Rivals tabs him as the 90th best player in California - ranked by ESPN as the 180th best prospect in California - participated in the West Coast Bowl, featuring the top high school seniors from California, Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico and Colorado - Attends Canyon High School where he was a four-year letterwinner - California's all-time record holder in career catches (281) and career yardage (5,148) surpassing current St. Louis Rams receiver Steve Smith (271 catches and 4,486 yards) - second in state history with 52 career touchdown receptions - led Cowboys to an 8-3-1 record as a senior and was named Second-Team All-State - caught 89 passes for 1,275 yards (averaged 106.3 yards receiving a game) - registered 100 or more yards in eight of 12 games - caught 14 touchdown passes - averaged 35.83 yards on six kickoff returns (one touchdown) - made 75 catches as a junior for 1,628 yards and 19 touchdowns - rushed for one touchdown and returned one punt for a score - had 77 catches for 1,472 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore and 40 catches for 773 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman - coached by Richard Gutierrez.
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