A tale of two teams and a critical position: the Gophers' offensive line struggles and their unexpected connection to Ohio State.
The Gophers' offensive line woes can be traced back to a key transfer, but it's not as simple as one player leaving. It's a story of opportunity, family ties, and the impact of a single decision.
Meet Phillip Daniels, a towering 6'5", 315-pound offensive tackle. Last season, Daniels started for the Gophers as a redshirt freshman, and he was set to be their next left tackle. But here's where it gets interesting: Daniels, a Cincinnati native, received a lucrative NIL offer that the Gophers couldn't match. So, he transferred to Ohio State, his cousin's alma mater, and left a gaping hole in the Gophers' lineup.
This transfer had a ripple effect. It accelerated the Gophers' O-line overhaul, which was already in motion with the departure of senior guards Tyler Cooper and Quinn Carroll, along with Aireontae Ersery, who was drafted by the Houston Texans.
Without Daniels and Ersery, the Gophers have been relying on redshirt freshman Nathan Roy at left tackle. Roy, a four-star recruit from Wisconsin, has been learning on the fly and has received the highest overall grade among the starting O-linemen.
For the opening games, the Gophers' offensive line consisted of Greg Johnson at left guard, Ashton Beers at center, Marcellus Marshall at right guard, and Dylan Ray at right tackle. But for the crucial Ohio State game, the lineup shifted. Johnson moved to left tackle, Marshall to left guard, and Ray slid inside to right guard, with Roy taking over at right tackle.
And this is the part most people miss: the Gophers' running game struggles aren't just about the offensive line. They've faced tough defenses, like California and Rutgers, and early deficits have forced them to abandon the run game.
Head coach P.J. Fleck has a unique perspective on this situation. He believes they have eight capable players, but finding the right five is the challenge. He's not afraid to rotate and experiment to find the best combination.
This season, the Gophers' rushing yards per attempt rank 104th in the nation, and Ohio State's defense limited them to just 2.7 yards per carry. Fleck acknowledges the challenge they faced: "That's a pretty big wall we were going against."
The Gophers' running back, Darius Taylor, also had a limited role against Ohio State due to a hamstring injury. He's expected to get more carries against Purdue this Saturday.
Additionally, the Gophers will be welcoming over 200 former players for homecoming, including Max Brosmer, the Vikings quarterback, who took time off during his team's bye week to work out with his successor, Drake Lindsey.
So, what do you think? Is the Gophers' offensive line the sole reason for their struggles, or are there other factors at play? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
