Gritty. Humble. Serious. Trio of Gopher linemen recruits headed to All-American Bowl

Three high school linemen in the Gophers’ 2024 recruiting class are part of a prestigious group of prospects invited to play in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio in January.

The distinguished group: Kindred, N.D., defensive lineman Riley Sunram; Olathe, Kan., offensive lineman Brett Carroll; and Mukwonago, Wis., offensive lineman Nathan Roy. The U’s list grows to four with Esko, Minn., safety Koi Perich.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Sunram told the Pioneer Press. “I’m so grateful for what I have and what I can do. … I understand it’s very hard to get into.”

It’s rare for the Gophers to be this well-represented in the showcase event, with East and West rosters combining for only 109 total players nationwide.

Last year, two receivers in the 2023 recruiting class — Kenric Lanier and T.J. McWilliams — were selected for the All-American Bowl before their freshman seasons with the Gophers last fall. Before that pair, the U’s previous honoree was Carter Coughlin in 2016.

“It’s the best of the best of the best, and to be in that top percent is really a blessing,” said Roy, who will sit out the bowl due to a meniscus injury suffered at the end of his senior season.

All three plan to sign letters of intent with the Gophers on Wednesday and join the program next year.

Here’s a trio of vignettes on the U’s three honored linemen:

Riley Sunram

There is not a well-worn recruiting trail to Kindred, N.D., given its population of under 1,000 people and its location 30 miles southwest of Fargo.

That changed with Sunram, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound lineman, with Kansas State, Duke, Nebraska, Miami (Fla.) and others offering scholarships.

“There’s a couple of guys that go through your program that you just hold in the highest regard,” said Eric Burgad, a coach in the program since 2014….

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/gritty-humble-serious-trio-gopher-013400928.html

Author : Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.

Publish date : 2023-12-18 01:34:00

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