Anthony Smith News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/anthony-smith/ Minnesota sports, but different Sun, 04 Jan 2026 04:17:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Anthony Smith News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/anthony-smith/ 32 32 Gophers Get Full Commitment From Edge Rushing Group https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-football/jaxon-howard-returning-2026-edge-rushers-all-back/ Sun, 04 Jan 2026 01:00:18 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=77631 College football has become the wild west each offseason with the introduction of the transfer portal. The Minnesota Gophers have already signed their first player (backup quarterback Michael Merdinger). They are also set to lose star safety Koi Perich.

While the Perich news is disappointing, plenty of talent has remained loyal to sticking in Dinkytown. Among that group are edge rushers Anthony Smith and Karter Menz. They have a fellow edge rusher set to rejoin them as well.

Jaxon Howard returning to MN Gophers

Before Karter Menz broke out as a sophomore this season (6.5 sacks), the edge rushing tandem for the Minnesota Gophers was comprised of Anthony Smith and Jaxon Howard. Smith more than doubled his sack total from 2024 (6.0) and led the Big Ten with 12.5. Howard, an LSU transfer, is an integral part of the group too, and he will be back.

Howard played in 13 games this season for the Gophers and recorded 4.0 sacks. He had 29 total tackles and 5.5 were for losses. A junior next year, and draft eligible, he’ll be looking to take another step forward.

P.J. Fleck will be turning over the rush ends position to a new coach as well. C.J. Robbins was working as the rush ends coach, but earned a promotion to take over the entire defensive line. Bobby April has been brought in to backfill his role.

With Menz, Smith, and Howard all returning for the Gophers, they are retaining their top-three sack producers from this season. Deven Eastern and Jalen Logan-Redding will need to be replaced on the defensive line, but Danny Collins has a good foundation to build on.

This was hardly a standout defensive season for the Minnesota Gophers as a whole. Collins will need to further find his footing in year two after replacing Miami’s Corey Hetherman. If the Gophers group can take a step forward defensively, it would help an offense that is returning plenty of playmakers with another year of experience.

]]> Sat, 03 Jan 2026 22:17:18 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Football Gophers Hire Edge Coach Who Developed Vikings Star Andrew Van Ginkel https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-football/bobby-april-new-rush-ends-coach/ Sat, 27 Dec 2025 22:17:21 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=76759 On Friday, the Minnesota Gophers squared off against the New Mexico Lobos in the Rate Bowl. They emerged victorious by scoring in overtime to clinch the victory. Just before the contest there was some coaching news that leaked out, too.

After dismissing defensive line coach Dennis Dottin-Carter earlier this month, P.J. Fleck promoted rush ends coach C.J. Robbins to fill the vacancy on the interior D-line. That move created an opening at rush ends, and the Gophers have now landed their replacement.

Bobby April headed to Minnesota Gophers

It’s still December, but the Gophers have reportedly landed their choice to replace Robbins as rush ends coach, in Bobby April III. He most recently served as Stanford’s defensive coordinator and OLB’s coach. With the Cardinal’s recent head coaching change however, April became available as new general manager Andrew Luck and the staff reshape the program.

Pioneer Press journalist Andy Greder has reported that April will become the Minnesota Gophers next Rush Ends Coach. While at Big Ten rival Wisconsin, April helped to jumpstart the career of multiple current NFL studs, Nick Herbig (Steelers), Zach Baun (Eagles), and Minnesota Vikings superstar Andrew Van Ginkel.

Now in his seventh NFL season, Van Ginkel made his first Pro Bowl last year with the Vikings. He dealt with a neck injury earlier this year, but still has seven sacks after racking up a career-high 11.5 in 2024.

Stanford was just 4-8 this past season. Allowing more than 408 yards per game, the Cardinal finished 105th (of 134) FBS teams. April is clearly taking a step backwards after being a defensive coordinator, but focusing on a single position could serve him well.

April is 72 years old and has been coaching since 1976. He started at the collegiate level as a graduate assistant with Southern Miss in 1978. He has always been an assistant or position leader, but has coached in the NFL ranks as well. There’s even been a couple All-Pro linebackers under his tutelage in the NFL, during his time with the Jets (2014), and Bills (2015-16).

Defense Line going into 2026

Anthony Smith announced his decision to return in 2026 following the Rate Bowl. April will now have the opportunity to instill wisdom in the talented edge rusher that led the conference with 12.5 sacks this season.

The hiring of April III brings a new dynamic to P.J. Fleck’s staff. While C.J. Robbins’ promotion reflects the rise of a young, up and coming voice on the defense, April adds a been there, done that, perspective with years of high-level experience developing edge rushers.

With the Rate Bowl behind them, the MN Gophers now turn their focus to the 2026 season. An impressive recruiting class and strong group of returning talent could make them formidable in the Big Ten.

]]> Sat, 27 Dec 2025 16:44:37 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Football Gopher Football Star Makes Huge Announcement https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-football/anthony-smith-decision-staying-minnesota/ Sat, 27 Dec 2025 04:56:17 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=76704 Another year, another bowl game victory for Minnesota Gophers head coach PJ Fleck on Friday afternoon, this time a 23-20 win over the (9-3) New Mexico Lobos in the 2025 Rate Bowl.

It took an incredible overtime touchdown catch from freshman wide receiver Jalen Smith to get the job done, but today’s win — PJ Fleck’s seventh-straight (7-0) in the postseason as Minnesota head coach — had little to do with offense.

Outside of Darius Taylor’s 116 yards on 24 carries, the Golden Gophers offense was mostly anemic. They did take care of the football, however (0 INT, 0 TD). And with how suffocating Minnesota’s defense was against New Mexico, that’s all that was needed.

Dominant MN Gophers defense powered by Anthony Smith

The Gophers held the Lobos to just 204 yards total, including overtime. Just 88 of those yards came through the air. New Mexico’s biggest issue offensively?

It was defensive lineman Anthony Smith, who entered the Rate Bowl as a 2026 top 100 draft prospect with 10.5 sacks already in tow. Every other time either of New Mexico’s two QBs dropped back to pass, No. 0 was breathing down their neck.

It wasn’t just Smith’s TWO sacks that impressed everyone watching the MN Gophers squeak one out in OT vs the Lobos, including numerous NFL scouts either in attendance or on TV.

When the dust settled in Phoenix, the former 4-star recruit out of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania took home the game’s defensive MVP award with SIX tackles — FOUR tackles for loss… and TWO passes defended, just for fun.

Smith announces 2026 return to Dinkytown

But then, before reporters could ask Minnesota’s redshirt Junior out of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania what his plans for the future look like, he took the postgame microphone and announced them to everyone at Chase Field.

That’s right, the Golden Gophers’ top defensive lineman is returning for his redshirt senior season.

While the rest of the coaching carousel spins across the country, it’s become clear that PJ Fleck is going nowhere. In 2026, he will hit the 10-year mark as Minnesota Gophers head coach. And his star defensive lineman, Anthony Smith, will be there alongside him yet again.

Depending how the offseason goes, it is lining up to be far and away the most talented. Of course, a lot of that will depend on the development of Drake Lindsey, who committed to his Dinkytown return weeks ago.

]]> Fri, 26 Dec 2025 22:56:20 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Football How Minnesota Won the Rate Bowl https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-football/rate-bowl-win-takeaways-lindsey-taylor-smith/ Sat, 27 Dec 2025 01:18:18 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=76667 The Minnesota Gophers capped off their 2025 season on Friday with a 20-17 Rate Bowl victory on Friday afternoon against New Mexico, allowing P.J. Fleck to improve his undefeated postseason record to 7-0, as Golden Gophers head football coach.

Like most things in this town, though, getting to today’s winner’s circle wasn’t easy.

Redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey came into the 2025 Rate Bowl expected to be the best player on the field. If the talented Arkansas native develops as he should over the next couple of years, Lindsey will become the first Gopher QB drafted since 1972.

MN Gophers offense struggles in Rate Bowl

But for whatever reason, Fleck put the training wheels back on his young QB against the Lobos, leading to a lethargic Minnesota offense that struggled to maintain drives.

That was especially true in the first half, where Lindsey threw the ball 12 times (completing six) for a whopping 56 yards. To be fair, when Drake did get opportunities today, his accuracy was way too inconsistent.

There were a couple of throws from Lindsey, however, where you saw the incredible arm talent this 20-year-old kid has. Like his first touchdown of the day to true freshman WR out of Mankato, Jalen Smith.

Fleck is supposedly keeping plenty of his current roster intact for next season, and his 2026 recruiting class is the best in modern Gopher history.

Lindsey + Jalen Smith connection has special potential

But Drake Lindsey’s connection today with Jalen Smith is notable because the kid WR has more talent bursting out of his pinky finger than just about any WR who’s come on campus since Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson.

If this is the start of something special between the two exciting youngsters, then the future is bright for MN Gopher football. Lindsey finished Friday 18/28 for 147 yards and two touchdowns, the last of which ended the game in overtime.

And guess who caught it.

MN Gophers love a healthy Darius Taylor

Injuries have unfortunately become synonymous with Darius Taylor’s collegiate career. He played in just six games as a freshman, then pushed himself through multiple ailments to play 12 games in 2024, before putting pads on for 10 of Minnesota’s 14 games this season.

Next year, it will presumably be Taylor’s show again. He won’t be cheap, either, so the Gophers will need him on the field, especially after his more than formidable backup, Fame Ijeboi, entered the transfer portal earlier this offseason.

On Friday, though, Darius Taylor was Minnesota’s best player on offense, even though his carries were limited. When the dust settled in Arizona, Taylor rushed 24 times for 116 yards and a touchdown, including this beautiful spin move and 38-yard scamper.

Tack today’s performance onto his regular season total, and Darius finished the 2025 season with 670 rush yards and four touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 23 more yards.

Anthony Smith is an absolute Gophers menace

New Mexico used a pair of quarterbacks, neither of which found much success against Danny Collins’ defense. Edge rusher Anthony Smith was a big reason for their struggles, too.

The junior came in with a 10.5 sacks this season, the most of any Gopher since 2008. Friday, he added two more and single-handedly had the Lobos’ QBs seeing ghosts.

Smith’s emergence this year on the edge has been something to behold. And after the game, he announced his his plans to return to Dinkytown next season, for another year wearing Minnesota Gophers maroon and gold.

]]> Fri, 26 Dec 2025 20:51:48 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Football PJ Fleck Expects Most Gophers Starters to Stay; His Players Seem Less Sure https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-football/pj-fleck-minnesota-football-players-talk-2026-plans/ Fri, 26 Dec 2025 03:30:56 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=76584 On Friday afternoon down in Phoenix, AZ, PJ Fleck will attempt to protect his undefeated postseason record (6-0) as Minnesota Gophers head football coach, in the 2025 Rate Bowl against the New Mexico Lobos.

Unlike other teams around the country, it appears the Golden Gophers will have most of their starters available tomorrow afternoon. That’s no surprise, given how serious Fleck takes each bowl game Minnesota plays in.

It also helps when players are receiving NIL money to do so, like some Gophers are — just the latest way PJ and those inside his program have progressively used somewhat limited NIL funds to make the football team better.

PJ Fleck confident the MN Gophers will retain most starters

Looking beyond the Rate Bowl, to the 2026 season, and the Minnesota Gophers head football coach remains confident that, yet again, he and his staff will be able to keep most of their top talent in Dinkytown and out of the transfer portal.

“Our retention rate has been incredible. We feel great about re-signing the majority of our players, especially the majority of our starters, which is really, really critical for the 2026 season.”

PJ Fleck via the Star Tribune

We already know the most important player on roster — redshirt freshman starting quarterback Drake Lindsey — is returning for the 2026 season. He was the most essential domino that needed to fall.

Besides him, other key pieces to both sides of Minnesota’s puzzle are sticking around — including John Nestor, Kerry Brown, Nathan Roy and Greg Johnson.

All four players will be paid as part of the aforementioned Dinkytown Athletes + Cub Foods NIL promotion.

Drake Lindsey is the key

Greg Johnson is from Prior Lake, MN and says he has not thought about leaving. Other Gophers who will stay, according to the starting guard, will do so because of Drake Lindsey.

“Being from Minnesota, I personally didn’t have any thoughts of going elsewhere. I think Drake really set the tone for the team. This is Drake’s team. He’s our leader and it’s easy to come back and want to play for a guy like that.”

Greg Johnson – via Pioneer Press

Of course, the decision isn’t that easy for everyone. Some of the Gophers’ best players — all of which are down in Arizona and expected to play on Friday — have not made their future plans public.

We are yet to hear from the likes of S Koi Perich (SO), DL Anthony Smith (JR) or RB Darius Taylor (JR). Smith leads the Minnesota Gophers in sacks by a WIDE margin, with 10.5 (32 tackles).

Darius Taylor has again dealt with injuries throughout the season, but he finished as Minnesota’s leading rusher with 554 yards and 3 touchdowns on 119 carries (4.7 YPC).

Some Minnesota Gophers unsure of their future

Both upperclassmen — who are paid more than just about anyone else on the team — spoke with reporters this week in Arizona, at MN Gophers practice, where they were not on the same page as their head coach, choosing instead to plead the fifth on their future plans.

Smith: “I’m just focused on this. I really haven’t thought about it at all…I just want to send the seniors out on a good note.”

Anthony Smith on his future with Gophers (Star Tribune)

Taylor: “I really haven’t thought about that stuff… I’m just worried about the game. I will figure all that out after the game.”

Darius Taylor on his future with Gophers (Pioneer Press)

It’s difficult to believe that these kids aren’t actually thinking about their futures, especially given how much is riding on their decisions.

Of course, it’s always possible both Taylor and Smith do have a better handle on their futures than what they are letting on. want to do, and they just aren’t telling reporters about it.

Either way, we’ll find out soon enough because we are talking about the most expensive players on the Minnesota Gopher football roster. Fleck will want to quickly reallocate those dollars, if guys like Smith and Taylor are leaving.

]]> Thu, 25 Dec 2025 21:31:24 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Football MN Gophers Sack Game Shucks Nebraska https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-football/pj-fleck-outcoaches-matt-rhule-nine-sacks-nebraska-upset/ Sat, 18 Oct 2025 03:20:51 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=69816 There were more NFL teams in attendance for the Minnesota Gophers game against Nebraska than at any other point this season. Presumably they were in attendance to watch Patrick Mahomes doppelganger Dylan Raiola.

P.J. Flecks team certainly gave them a show, and the 24-6 defeat probably wasn’t what they were expecting. Nebraska entered the game as seven point favorites. The teams felt each other out with Minnesota leading 7-6 at the half.

Then the Gophers defense decided to put the Huskers on their back.

Pass rush a strength for Minnesota Gophers in victory

A week ago the Minnesota Gophers struggled to separate from a mediocre Purdue team and never once got to the quarterback. They certainly flipped the script on that showing and Dylan Raiola felt the brunt of it. The defense racked up nine sacks with Karter Menz and Anthony Smith both grabbing 2.5, while Jaxon Howard added two of his own.

It was supposed to be Raiola and running back Emmett Johnson that dictated this contest for Nebraska. Raiola never had a chance with the constant pass rush, and Johnson struggled to find running room due to the line play as well.

Minnesota starting cornerback John Nestor was out on Friday night, and that meant the rush needed to help save the secondary. Tackling issues have been persistent this season for the Gophers, but they tackled the quarterback and everyone else en route to the victory.

A week after putting up 176 yards against Maryland, Johnson was held to just 63 yards. A 4th and 1 stop with just over three minutes left was symbolistic of Johnson’s night. The defensive difference in a matter of a week could not have been more impressive.

Fleck outcoaches Penn State candidate

Matt Rhule can say whatever he wants about being tied to the Penn State head coaching opening. The reality is he’s on their radar and it has to be a distraction. On Friday night it was the Gophers P.J. Fleck who ran circles around his opponent.

The Gophers opted against going for it on two fourth downs in the first half. In the second half, with the defense still rolling, Fleck pushed the button on a 4th and three that set up Minnesota’s second touchdown. Drake Lindsey delivered a dime to Le’Meke Brockington to make it a 14-6 game.

The win was Fleck’s seventh against AP Top 25 ranked schools and set a new program record. Despite attempts by security to keep fans in their place after the clock hit zeroes, this one was worth celebrating.

These are the types of games Fleck needs to win if he wants to take the Gophers to the next level. It’s disappointing there was a loss to Cal earlier in the season, but this is a fringe top 25 team that can reveal more of that with a road win next weekend against Iowa.

With only Oregon as a near-certain loss left on the schedule, Minnesota would finish 9-3 if they run the table.

]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2025 22:28:49 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Football Top MN Gophers Lineman Returning for 2025 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-football/returning-announcement-2025-anthony-smith/ Wed, 02 Apr 2025 17:17:43 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=62086 It has been a period of transition for the Minnesota Gophers basketball team. Gone is head coach Ben Johnson and in is new head coach Niko Medved. The roster has been picked clean too. The same can’t be said for P.J. Fleck’s Golden Gophers football team, though.

This offseason, Minnesota had more representation at the NFL Combine than ever before and every collegiate roster these days sees offseason turnover. Nonetheless, Fleck’s 2025 roster is sitting in a really good spot, as of April 2, including lots of returning talent from last season.

New defensive coordinator Danny Collins is taking over for Corey Hetherman, who left for the University of Miami, following one very successful season running the defense at Minnesota. While the defense is losing top talent like Justin Walley and Cody Lindenberg, there’s plenty of incumbent talent remaining for next season.

Anthony Smith back for Minnesota Gophers in 2025

Jah Joyner and Danny Striggow are two other departing Gophers on defense. Most certainly, their absence will be felt, which is why today’s announcement that defensive lineman Anthony Smith is returning for his senior season, was a very big deal.

In his 28 games played under Fleck, Smith has lined up both on the interior and edge of the defensive line. Last season he recorded a career-best 27 tackles, mostly at left and right defensive tackle. The also contributed 12 tackles for loss and racked up six sacks. With Joyner and Striggow gone, new defensive coordinator Danny Collins can put Smith on the edge and let him eat.

Related: Former MN Gophers Assistant Coach in Big Trouble at Kent State

As the depth chart takes shape, it looks as though Smith could be an edge rusher along with Illinois State transfer Steven Curtis. Curtis had five sacks and seven tackles for losses last season. Paired with Smith, who already has familiarity with Minnesota, could create a strong rushing tandem for the Gophers.

Smith has two years of eligibility remaining, but could look at what his draft stock becomes should he build upon last season. Joyner put up 4.5 sacks in 2024 with Striggow adding five of his own. The tandem both leave the collegiate ranks with an equal 14.5 sacks.

P.J. Fleck’s team starts their 2025 schedule against Buffalo at Huntington Bank Stadium on August 28th. Just five weeks into the season they’ll have their toughest test as the look to take down Ohio State at The Shoe in Columbus.

]]> Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:17:47 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Football