Once again, Minnesota is set to face a multitude of high-level football players this fall, especially when Michigan and Ohio State are on the fall schedule. Today, TGR ranks the Top 10 players the Gophers will face during the 2023 season.
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1. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina - Projected to be the top quarterback taken in next year's NFL Draft, so the Gophers' secondary will be tested in an early non-conference showcase in Chapel Hill. Maye threw for 4,321 yards to go along with 38 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. He can also make plenty of plays with his legs, rushing for 698 yards with an additional seven scores.
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2. Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR, Ohio State - Projected as a top five pick in next year's draft after hauling in 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. He'll be the go-to target in the Buckeyes passing game.
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3. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan - The heartbeat of Michigan's offense last season is coming off a late season-ending knee injury, but was still able to pile up 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns while winning Big Ten Running Back of the Year.
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4. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State - Caught 74 passes for more than 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Yeah, the Buckeyes are simply loaded at wide receiver.
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5. Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina - A First-Team All-ACC performer tallying an eye-popping 144 tackles last season, including 12 tackles for loss, and two interceptions.
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6. Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois - Coming off a Second-Team, All-American season where he totaled 14.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks on a stingy Illinois defense in 2022. There are big expectations for the four-year veteran.
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7. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa - Had a breakout 2022 campaign by picking off five passes, breaking up eight more, and leading the Hawkeyes by taking three interceptions to the house. Also averaged 16.5 yards per return while fielding punts.
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8. Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin - Was injured for the Minnesota game last year, still finished with 1,242 rushing yards and 11 scores while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He'll be one of the best running backs the Gophers face.
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9. JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State - A two sack, two interception performance against Penn State last year put the junior on the map. He totaled 10.5 tackles for loss and three-and-a-half sacks in 2022 while earning First-Team, All-Big Ten honors.
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10. Zak Zinter, OL, Michigan - Decided to come back to school and enter his fourth-year as a starter. The right guard earned First-Team, All-Big Ten honors last season and could very well be a first-round draft pick in 2024.
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