After slipping last season, the Gophers defense is simplifying its scheme this spring under new coordinator Corey Hetherman.

Minnesota’s defense fell from a top 10 unit in points and total yards allowed in 2022 to outside the top 55 in both categories last season, and defensive coordinator Joe Rossi left for the same job at Michigan State.

Head coach P.J. Fleck said the longevity of Rossi leading the defense (since late 2018) led to more responsibilities and tweaks for experienced players, but it became too much at points last season given the rash of injuries at linebacker.

“There’s so much information that players have to master and learn with the defensive scheme,” said Hetherman, who was linebacker scoach at Rutgers the last two seasons. “How do you go about making sure they’re getting clear, concise information that can ultimately help them?

“… Now, if you can put those techniques into different calls, the guys aren’t doing a lot of things. And that’s where I feel like the guys can now play fast.”

Linebacker Cody Lindenberg, who only played in four games last season, is healthy and adjusting to a new coordinator and position coach in Hetherman. The linebacker group has gone out to dinner.

“It really allows us to play fast,” Lindenberg said. “As soon as you got to think about something and have to slow down half a second, that’s the step that is going to slow you down from making that play.”

Hetherman has a serious demeanor. “It’s hard to get him to smile,” Fleck said. “But he does. I do everything I can to find a way to get him to smile.”

Splash play

The biggest play of Saturday’s practice came from safety Jai’Onte McMillan, who intercepted a pass from Max Brosmer.

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound transfer from Texas Christian impressed cornerback Justin Walley in the weight room.

“He’s a dog,” Walley said of McMillan. “We was maxing on weights a couple of weeks ago and he’s strong, fast, physical, and all those traits carry over on defense.”

Johnson to center

Center has been locked down by John Michael Schmitz and Nathan Boe for the last five seasons. Now sophomore Greg Johnson has moved in from guard, where he played 11 games as a true freshman in 2023.

“He saw an opportunity when he first showed up and worked and made dang sure he was going to earn an opportunity on the field as a true freshman, which hard to do, especially in the Big Ten,” said Quinn Carroll, who is transitioning from tackle to guard.

On the other side of the ball, Jalen Logan-Redding took snaps at tackle instead of end, where he primarily played last season.

Injury update

The Gophers had a handful of players sidelined Saturday. Most notable absences were receiver Daniel Jackson, linebacker Devon Williams and tight end Jameson Geers.

Fleck said none of those players will be out long-term.

Receiver Jaylen Varner and guard Tyler Cooper got hurt during the practice.

Briefly

Brosmer has been elected a team captain after only three months with Minnesota. … True freshman QB Drake Lindsey had a nice throw down the middle of the field to tight end Nathan Jones for a long completion. …. Look for the Gophers to add a bridge backup QB in the NCAA transfer portal this spring. That addition would be behind Brosmer and ahead of Lindsay on the depth chart. … Former Gophers cornerback Jalen Myrick, who played at the U from 2013-16 and briefly for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017, has returned to the U as an intern this spring. He was an assistant coach at Division II Winona State for the last two seasons. … Jordan Nubin has switched numbers from 30 to 27, which his older brother Tyler wore at the U. It’s a special number for their family, with their late uncle Steve King wearing it at Michigan in the 1990s. Tyler, a coveted NFL draft prospect, watched the U practice Saturday.

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