MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — As the college football season looms, a storm of eligibility issues swirls across various teams, affecting depth charts and strategies. At the heart of this turmoil is the Minnesota Gophers’ place-kicking position, which has become unexpectedly complex.
Brady Denaburg, who took on the kicking responsibilities for Minnesota last season after transferring from Syracuse, found himself sidelined until a pivotal ruling in Denver. On July 31, a federal judge declared that athletes from the 2022 high school class were eligible for an extra year of play. This decision, however, was not left unchallenged.
Initially, the NCAA had excluded this class from the new “five-for-five” rule intended to streamline eligibility in the era of the transfer portal and NIL deals. Yet, the Denver ruling faced a setback when an appeals court issued an injunction, leaving athletes like Denaburg in uncertainty once again.
“Playing’s in limbo,” stated Gophers coach P.J. Fleck after a recent practice session. With just ten days before their season opener against Eastern Illinois, the team awaits clarity. Fleck added, “I do hope that we come to some resolution at some point about what we’re going to do with all these players, because at the end of the day, if all we say is it’s about the student-athlete, then we have to make the decisions for them.”
Indiana University also finds itself in a precarious situation amid this eligibility debate. Following the initial ruling, the sixth-ranked team welcomed back two key defensive linemen, Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt. Both players, who missed portions of the previous season due to injuries, were back on the field preparing for the upcoming battles.
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti expressed strong support for the athletes, saying, “I think in their case, you’re creating opportunities. You look at Wyatt, he started less than half the games last year and got hurt. Then, Daley started six out of 16 games, got hurt. Both had pro potential, but because of injury didn’t end up in NFL camp. We’d have to make no roster cuts if they’re eligible to play.”
The Gophers’ situation is further complicated by a countersuit in Louisiana, which secured a temporary restraining order. This legal maneuver pertains to former New Mexico kicker Luke Drzewiecki, who was involved with the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie minicamp. Drzewiecki joined Minnesota, following his former special teams coordinator, Daniel Da Prato.
Currently, Minnesota’s kicking roster consists of four athletes, including sophomore Daniel Jackson and Michigan transfer Beckham Sunderland. The team faces a challenge in determining which players will be eligible for the opener.
Fleck likened the uncertainty to the 2020 COVID-19 season, explaining, “You didn’t know who was going to play. You didn’t know who passed the test right before the game or who wouldn’t pass the test.”
With an intensive focus on field goal drills during fall camp, the Gophers are considering multiple scenarios. Sunderland has yet to make a college game kick, while Jackson has limited experience from the previous season. Denaburg and Drzewiecki bring their own strengths, with Denaburg achieving a perfect extra point record last year and Drzewiecki excelling during his time with New Mexico.
“We don’t know what will happen and who will be eligible and who won’t be eligible,” Fleck said. “We’re preparing for some of those guys to be eligible and we’re also preparing for everybody to be eligible, and that’s why this kicking competition continues to go through all the way.”
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AP Sports Writer Mike Marot in Indianapolis contributed to this report.
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