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Big Ten Football: Each team’s most important newcomer for 2020

By Dante Pryor

Michael Dwumfour, Michigan football (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Michael Dwumfour, Michigan football (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 14: The helmet of Mike Brown-Stephens #22 of the Minnesota Gophers is seen before the game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at TCF Bank Stadium on September 14, 2019, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Gophers defeated the Eagles 35-32. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 14: The helmet of Mike Brown-Stephens #22 of the Minnesota Gophers is seen before the game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at TCF Bank Stadium on September 14, 2019, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Gophers defeated the Eagles 35-32. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are coming off of their best season since 2003. That was the last time they finished in the top 25. They have not finished in the top 10 since 1962. Head coach PJ Fleck is building something special in Minnesota.

One reason for their success is their defense. The Gophers gave up 30 points twice in Big Ten play and held Bo Nix and the Auburn Tigers to 24 points in their Outback Bowl victory. One reason for their defensive success was their veteran leadership.

The Gophers lose seven seniors from a defense that surrendered just 22 points per game. Of those seven seniors, four are from their defensive line. This is why Gage Keys is such a key recruit at the defensive end.

First of all, any defensive player who wears a neck-roll is to be taken seriously. What stands out about Keys is his ability to play both the pass and the run. In a conference that features both power-run and spread passing teams, his versatility is an asset.

He can set the edge and force run plays wide and is fast enough to track run plays down from the backside. He needs to develop more pass rush moves, but he is strong and rushes the quarterback with an attitude. The Gophers rotate defensive linemen and Keys’ ability to come in and play early adds to that depth.

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