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Gophers’ Daniel Jackson picks up where he left off: in corner of end zone

andy greder, pioneer press
·3 min read

Gophers receiver Daniel Jackson found himself in a familiar spot during Tuesday’s spring practice: the corner of the end zone.

That’s where Jackson hauled in a touchdown catch in the U’s indoor practice facility — the same location of the field where he caught one of his two touchdown passes in the Gophers’ 28-20 win over Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium last December.

“I will definitely use that to propel, like I did this last winter and spring and everything upcoming,” said Jackson, who had 37 receptions for 557 yards and five touchdowns last season. He had four grabs for 73 yards and two scores in the Bronx to end 2022.

On Tuesday, Jackson’s touchdown catch came from backup quarterback Cole Kramer, who got more reps as No. 1 QB Athan Kaliakmanis endured some mental hurdles.

After one miscommunication, Fleck yanked Kaliakmanis and had some pointed words in a one-on-one with the redshirt sophomore. Kaliakmanis came back in and threw a touchdown pass to Elijah Spencer in the same corner as Jackson’s grab.

Kaliakmanis said improving on the mental aspects of the game are his biggest emphasis in spring ball.

“The play that happened is gone now and you got to go onto the next play,” Kaliakmanis said. “Ultimately change my best.”

Happy for health

Through a family connection offensive lineman Quinn Carroll helped design and endorse “The Mindset Hoodie” to bring awareness to mental health and suicide.

“I think mental health is a big part of athletics and is not touched on as much as it probably should be, so I was really excited for that opportunity,” Carroll said Tuesday.

Carroll, an Edina native who transferred from Notre Dame before last season, has moved from right tackle to right guard this spring. He also shared how thrilled he is to be home, with his family coming out to practices in Minneapolis.

D-Line stout

The Gophers’ defensive line made some of the biggest plays of Tuesday’s practice.

Highlights included: Jalen Logan-Redding’s batted pass on Kaliakmanis; Danny Striggow and Darnell Jefferies combined on a sack of Kaliakmanis; and Deven Eastern had a stop on running back Sean Tyler.

Carroll also praised the strong play of tackle Kyler Baugh this spring.

Briefly

A source told the Pioneer Press the New York Giants and Jets have emerged as leading destinations for Gophers center John Michael Schmitz in the NFL draft starting April 27. Giants offensive line coach Bobby Johnson was at the Gophers’ Pro Day in mid-March. … It looks like the Gophers will seek two incoming cornerbacks when the NCAA transfer portal opens in May. Justin Walley is the only corner with experience on the roster. … Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford has not been participating in spring ball after a clean-up shoulder surgery. … Chris Autman-Bell, who tore his ACL in September, is expected to be ready to go in June. … Lauded true freshman running back Darius Taylor has been sidelined with a leg injury suffered last week. The setback isn’t considered serious. … Safety Tyler Nubin made two ball-hawking plays during last Saturday’s practice that drew comparisons to former U superstar Antoine Winfield Jr. Nubin kept it up with a big hit to breakup a catch from tight end Nick Kallerup on Tuesday. … With Joan Gable leaving her position as U president this week, the Gophers will miss one of their biggest advocates. While the athletics department operates in a silo, Gable was a regular at football games, including on the road. … Kaliakmanis weighed 200 pounds during the Pinstripe Bowl and has a goal to reach 220. … The Gophers will hold a closed scrimmage Saturday, with the spring game scheduled for April 22 at Huntington Bank Stadium. … Dragan Kesich has been the U’s No. 1 kicker in spring ball, with Jacob Lewis as backup.

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