Gopher football head coach PJ Fleck addressed the media following Minnesota’s practice on August 13th. Fleck discussed the performance of offensive tackle DJ Shipp as he competes for the starting RT job, the status of the kicking competition in camp, and more.
PJ Fleck offered plenty of insight into Minnesota’s quarterback competition, the upcoming scrimmage, the team’s depth, and several other areas during his latest media availability.
When asked about the backup quarterback situation behind Drake Lindsey, Fleck pointed to several young players getting valuable reps during practice. Owen Lansu and Brady Palmer have both seen significant opportunities and have performed well.
Fleck identified Max Shikenjanski as the current true backup and said he has been impressive throughout camp. Although Shikenjanski made one poor throw during practice, Fleck emphasized that such mistakes have been uncommon for him. The head coach stressed the importance of making decisive decisions and avoiding throws that put the football in danger.
Dylan Wittke has also made noticeable progress after last season, according to Fleck. Overall, the coach feels good about the quarterback room, while noting that the competition will continue throughout training camp. Fleck also praised Lindsey for his leadership within the group.
With the fall scrimmage coming up on Saturday, what are you hoping to learn about this team?
Fleck said the upcoming scrimmage isn’t about discovering one particular thing. Instead, he views it as another opportunity for the team to continue developing, particularly because roughly 80% of Minnesota’s roster consists of high school recruits.
That means younger players will be counted on for depth at certain positions, making it important for them to gain experience quickly.
Ryan Estrada is one player Fleck believes could particularly benefit from Saturday’s scrimmage. The staff already knows what Estrada can do as a player, but the scrimmage will give him the chance to experience a more realistic game environment inside the stadium.
Minnesota plans to treat Friday night and Saturday morning like a regular game day, including going through pregame routines before allowing the players to compete. For Fleck, the biggest goal is giving his players valuable game-like experience.
After two weeks of camp, along with the summer workouts and year-round development, Fleck believes the coaching staff already has a strong idea of which players are likely to contribute. However, there is no substitute for actually experiencing a game situation, which is what Saturday’s scrimmage should provide.
We’ve seen a lot of playmaking in the back end, the two practices we’ve been here. Who have been some of those playmakers? Who were the ones over the two weeks that have been the playmakers?
Fleck said many of the players who have stood out are the same ones observers have already noticed. He specifically praised Julian Johnson for an excellent practice at tight end.
Among the wide receivers, Fleck highlighted Noah Jennings, Jalen Smith, and Javon Tracy. True freshman Quayd Hendryx also made a significant play during practice, while Zion Steptoe showed his ability to make an impact down the field.
Hayden Moore is expected to return soon after missing several days. Fleck said Moore had gotten off to an excellent start to camp before his absence.
The running back room is also beginning to produce more big plays, which is exactly what the coaching staff wants to see. Jacob Simpson has also enjoyed a strong camp.
However, Fleck believes everything starts with Lindsey. The quarterback has taken his game to another level, particularly when it comes to ball placement. Fleck pointed to a difficult deep pass Lindsey completed to Jennings as an example of his improved ability.
For Fleck, quarterback development goes beyond simply completing passes. He wants Lindsey to consistently make the correct throws, put the ball in a position where receivers can make plays after the catch, maintain accuracy, and show strong pocket awareness.
Fleck said one of his favorite plays of camp came when Lindsey worked through his entire progression while moving effectively within the pocket. Although the play only produced five yards, Fleck loved what he saw from his quarterback and said Lindsey looked like a professional working through his reads.
PJ, could you talk briefly about what (General Manager) Gerrit Chernoff does in his job and why he’s so good at what he does?
Fleck had extremely high praise for general manager Gerrit Chernoff, calling him the “glue” of Minnesota’s entire organization and even suggesting he is more important to the building than the head coach himself.
According to Fleck, Chernoff is selfless, deeply invested in the football program, and involved in far more areas than could possibly fit into a traditional job description. The two have worked together for 12 years and have developed a strong relationship.
Fleck said he and Chernoff collaborate on personnel decisions as well as countless day-to-day matters. He also emphasized that he rarely wants to make an important decision without first discussing it with Chernoff because of how well the two understand each other.
Fleck credited Chernoff as a major reason for Minnesota’s current position and said the program would not be where it is today without him.
We’ve seen DJ Shipp today in the Juice Jersey. What have you seen over the last few weeks?
Fleck views Shipp’s appearance in the Juice Jersey as a significant compliment. Although the offensive lineman still has plenty of work ahead of him, earning the distinction within the first 10 or 11 practices of camp while competing for the starting right tackle position says a lot about his development.
Fleck compared Shipp’s recent performance to that of a young Aireontae Ersery, saying the young tackle had an exceptional practice.
There is still plenty for Shipp to improve, but Fleck said the player is hungry, committed, and trusting the process. He has continued to make small improvements each day, and both the players and coaching staff recognized his progress.
Fleck also felt Shipp followed up his impressive performance with another strong practice, giving him two consecutive days of positive work.
PJ, how do you feel your depth on your offensive line is developing?
Fleck emphasized the importance of having significant offensive line depth, saying teams need to be capable of going eight or nine players deep. He has been particularly encouraged by Minnesota’s pass protection during recent practices.
Greg Johnson and Ashton Beers have done an excellent job providing leadership within the group, while Nathan Roy has made significant strides in encouraging and supporting his teammates.
The battle for the right guard position remains competitive, with Tony Nelson and Jaden Ball among the players competing for the job. The right tackle position is also still being contested.
Fleck believes Minnesota has eight or nine offensive linemen capable of playing on Saturdays, but they must continue improving as a unit.
He also believes the competition in practice is helping everyone. Going against Anthony Smith every day provides the offensive line with an especially valuable challenge. With Smith frequently lining up outside the right tackle, Bennett Warren and DJ Shipp are getting the opportunity to compete against one of the team’s best defensive players on a daily basis.
Can you speak to how critical the versatility of the safety room is, and how much depth you have there? How you’re feeling in this game?
Fleck was particularly enthusiastic when discussing Minnesota’s safety room. He said he recently sat in on one of the group’s meetings and told the players that it might be his favorite safety room the program has ever had from a holistic standpoint.
While Minnesota has had plenty of talented safeties over the years, Fleck believes the current group stands out because of its chemistry, intelligence, competitiveness, and overall approach to football.
The players genuinely enjoy being around one another while also taking their responsibilities seriously. Fleck said they play for each other, compete at a high level, and each bring different strengths to the group.
He credited Coach Collins for helping create that environment but added that the same type of closeness exists throughout Minnesota’s position groups.
Fleck believes team chemistry becomes especially important when things stop going according to plan. Every team looks connected during preseason media events, but true chemistry is revealed when adversity arrives during the season.
For that reason, Fleck considers the safety room a particularly special group.
With five for five, do you think that’s going to change the way people approach early in the season? Maybe younger guys seeing a little bit bigger role than maybe they had in the past?
Fleck discussed the impact of the new five-for-five eligibility rule and said players across the country are already benefiting from the change.
His biggest concern is making sure decisions regarding eligibility are communicated clearly and quickly to the players. He believes young athletes shouldn’t be given conflicting information about whether they are allowed to return.
Fleck supports the rule and believes it can provide valuable opportunities for players who otherwise might have been finished with their college careers.
Minnesota had only one player from last season benefit from the rule, although Fleck noted that other programs have multiple players taking advantage of the opportunity.
He also explained that Minnesota has moved away from referring to players primarily as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Instead, the program focuses on whether someone is a first-year, second-year, third-year, fourth-year, or fifth-year player because traditional academic classifications don’t always accurately reflect a player’s football experience.
Obviously, it’s a super confusing landscape, and it seems like it’s changing day by day. What kind of guidance have you been receiving just from the athletic department, compliance on this? And are you at the point now where are you guys even looking to potentially add some of these newly eligible guys, or is that kind of out of the question at this point?
Fleck acknowledged that change has become the constant in college football. He said Chernoff has done a good job staying informed on the latest developments, while Minnesota currently has only one player eligible to return under the five-for-five rule.
The Gophers aren’t expecting any additional players from last year’s roster to return under the new provision.
For now, Fleck said the priority remains developing the players already in the program. He believes successful programs must be willing to listen, adapt, and respond to an evolving college football landscape.
Despite the uncertainty, Fleck said he is confident in Minnesota’s administration and the way the program is handling these changes. His philosophy is simple: stay authentic, make decisions that fit Minnesota, and continue doing things the program’s own way.
Another, I guess, bigger picture question from me. You talk about the investment in high school players. You look at Smith and Lindsey coming back. Obviously, retention, a big part of that. Something that you talked a lot about like three years ago. If you just look at the past three years, what has allowed for maybe improved retention for you guys in this program, and how has that impacted you?
Fleck returned to one of the central philosophies of his program: recruit, develop, and retain. He believes Minnesota has done a strong job executing that model.
Fleck said the job of a head coach is to maximize whatever resources are available, regardless of how those resources compare with other programs. For Minnesota, that currently means emphasizing high school recruiting, developing those players, and keeping them in the program.
He pointed to players such as fifth-year Anthony Smith, fifth-year All-Big Ten performer Maverick Baranowski, fourth-year Darius, and third-year Drake Lindsey as examples of that philosophy working.
Fleck credited the program’s culture, environment, and overall life experience for helping with retention. However, he stressed that Minnesota is not an easy place to play or attend school. The program demands a high level of performance academically, athletically, socially, and personally.
Some players may be uncomfortable with those expectations, while others embrace them. Fleck believes that distinction should begin during the recruiting process.
Rather than simply trying to convince players to choose Minnesota, the goal is to identify prospects who genuinely fit the program’s culture and environment. Fleck believes that finding the right players leads to stronger retention.
Has Beckham Sunderland separated himself from the other kickers?
Fleck said the kicking competition remains open and believes Saturday’s scrimmage will be important for all three players involved.
Each kicker has performed well throughout the offseason, and Fleck said the competition has been extremely close. The small margins between the players have created an environment that pushes everyone to perform at their highest level.
Fleck believes genuine competitors benefit from competition, and he has been encouraged by the performances he’s seeing from all three kickers.
Speaking of place kicking, you mentioned Brady Denaburg is that one player who’s back. How do you quantify this fall what a successful place kicking game looks like here?
Fleck said the primary goal is getting the most out of every player while putting them in positions to succeed. However, execution will be especially important because Minnesota expects to play plenty of close, one-possession games.
The Gophers were effective on field goals from inside 40 yards last season but struggled more from longer distances. Fleck said that is an area the team must improve, whether through better kicking or adjustments to the offensive approach.
He also believes he has to examine his own decisions as a head coach. That could include finding ways to create more first downs, improve short-yardage situations, and give the offense more manageable opportunities.
Ultimately, though, Minnesota has to trust its kicker to deliver when the moment arrives. That’s exactly why the competition is so important.
Fleck also discussed Denaburg’s return. The kicker had some strong moments last season but also experienced struggles. Since then, he has matured, gained experience kicking in professional environments, and continued working on his craft.
Fleck said bringing Denaburg back for another season gives him an opportunity to apply everything he learned previously. He believes the returning kicker appears more mature, disciplined, and confident.
Given the experience Denaburg has gained and the work he has put into his game, Fleck expects him to be a better version of the player Minnesota saw previously.
That’s ultimately what Fleck wants from the competition: improvement, development, and a stronger overall kicking room.
He expects the battle to continue throughout the remainder of training camp.
Fleck closed the media session by thanking everyone before signing off with his familiar Minnesota message: “Row the boat, Ski-U-Mah, go Gophers.”
Leave a Reply