Kill's class stocked with in-state talent

MINNEAPOLIS Wednesday was a busy day for Gophers football coach Jerry Kill and his program, as they added more than 30 recruits -- including 27 to scholarships -- on National Signing Day. In Kill's first full offseason as Minnesota's coach, he managed to keep some of the state's top talent home. Seven of the top 10 recruits from the state of Minnesota signed on to play with the Gophers on Wednesday. A look at the full list of players who signed letters of intent to play for Kill and Minnesota next season: JAMEL HARBISON, WR, 5-foot-11, 195 pounds Mallard Creek High School, Charlotte Scout.com ranking: Three stars About Harbison: Ranked as the 151st-best wide receiver in the nation by Scout.com, Harbison caught 50 passes, including 21 touchdowns, during his senior season at Mallard Creek High School. He was also a standout baseball player, batting .329 with 28 RBIs during his junior season. ISAAC HAYES, OG, 6-foot-2, 275 pounds St. Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights, Minn. Scout.com ranking: Three stars About Hayes: The ninth-best recruit in the state of Minnesota, Hayes was named first-team all-state by the Associated Press during his senior season at St. Thomas Academy. He was also first-team all-conference as a senior. MITCH LEIDNER, QB, 6-foot-4, 225 pounds Lakeville South High School, Lakeville, Minn. Scout.com ranking: Three stars About Leidner: Leidner was one of eight players to enroll at Minnesota early. He was ranked as the sixth-best player in the state by Scout.com and the second-best quarterback behind fellow Gophers signee Philip Nelson. Leidner threw 20 touchdowns and 1,872 yards as a senior at Lakeville South to earn all-conference honors as well as all-state honorable mention. JACK LYNN, OLB, 6-foot-3, 210 pounds Lake Zurich High School, Lake Zurich, Ill. Scout.com ranking: Three stars About Lynn: As a senior at Lake Zurich High School, Lynn had 93 tackles and 2.5 sacks en route to being named Class 7A All-State by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association. He also played on the offensive side of the ball, tallying 271 yards on 13 catches (including four touchdowns) as a senior. ANDRE MCDONALD, WR, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds Hopkins High School, Minnetonka, Minn. Scout.com ranking: Three stars About McDonald: McDonald originally committed to Minnesota, then changed his mind and committed to Vanderbilt. But when a position coach at Vanderbilt left the program, McDonald once again changed his mind and chose to commit again to his hometown school. Rated as the top wide receiver in the state, McDonald caught 17 touchdowns and amassed 1,253 receiving yards as a senior. He earned Associated Press All-State honors twice while at Hopkins. PHILIP NELSON, QB, 6-foot-2, 220 pounds Mankato West High School, Mankato, Minn. Scout.com ranking: Three stars About Nelson: Nelson was rated as the top quarterback in the state of Minnesota and the state's fourth-best recruit. A three-year starter at Mankato West, Nelson can do damage through the air as well as on the ground. He passed for 2,784 yards and 35 touchdowns and racked up 1,243 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns during his impressive senior campaign. JONAH PIRSIG, OT, 6-foot-9, 295 pounds Blue Earth Area High School, Blue Earth, Minn. Scout.com ranking: Three stars About Pirsig: Pirsig was ranked as the second-best recruit in the state of Minnesota, and was the highest-ranked player the Gophers landed in this year's recruiting class. He earned Associated Press All-State honors as a senior, and figures to help shore up an offensive line at Minnesota that struggled in 2011. NICK RALLIS, OLB, 5-foot-11, 220 pounds Edina High School, Edina, Minn. Scout.com ranking: Three stars About Rallis: Rallis joins his brother, Mike, who will be a senior linebacker at Minnesota and started for the Gophers as a junior. A shoulder injury cut Rallis' senior season short, as he played just three games in 2011. As a junior, he made 72 tackles and forced a pair of fumbles for the Hornets. MAXX WILLIAMS, TE, 6-foot-4, 235 pounds Waconia High School, Waconia, Minn. Scout.com ranking: Three stars About Williams: Williams is following in his parents' footsteps by choosing to play at Minnesota. His father, Brian, played football for the Gophers and went on to play briefly in the NFL. His mother, Rochele, played volleyball at Minnesota. At Waconia, Williams played a variety of positions, including quarterback, tight end, linebacker and punter but he signs with the Gophers as a tight end. DUKE ANYANWU, ATH, 6-foot-4, 230 pounds Blain High School, Blaine, Minn. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Anyanwu: Minnesota lists Anyanwu's position as "athlete," as he is capable of playing multiple positions. He's ranked as the No. 292 wide receiver by Scout.com, but also played quarterback and free safety. Anyanwu passed for 926 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing for 1,130 yards and 18 scores as a senior. JEREMY BALTAZAR, CB, 6 feet, 190 pounds Blinn College, Brenham, Tex. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Baltazar: Baltazar was one of the Gophers' eight early enrollments. As a sophomore at Blinn College, he recorded 33 tackles and 10 pass breakups as well as a pair of interceptions. He earned first-team All-Conference honors in 2011. Because of Baltazar's size, the Gophers say they could also see him moving to safety if needed. BRIEAN BODDY, CB, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds Coffeyville Community College, Coffeyville, Kan. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Boddy: Boddy will take part in the Gophers' spring practices as an early enrollee. One of six junior college recruits Minnesota signed, Boddy had 40 tackles and four interceptions last season for Coffeyville Community College. He also has experience as a kick returner. SCOTT EKPE, DE, 6-foot-4, 260 pounds Lewisville High School, Lewisville, Tex. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Ekpe: Another early enrollee for Minnesota, Ekpe will also participate in spring practices. As a senior at Lewisville High School, Ekpe had 24 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, and forced one fumble. The Gophers are hoping Ekpe will add a bit of weight to his 6-foot-4 frame. ISAAC FRUECHTE, WR, 6-foot-3, 210 pounds Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester, Minn. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Fruechte: Fruechte has three years of eligibility remaining after playing one year at Rochester CTC. He played as a freshman in 2010 but redshirted in 2011. The Caledonia, Minn., native had 30 catches for 805 yards and nine touchdowns during his freshman season at Rochester CTC. In high school, Fruechte was a two-time Associated Press All-State honorable mention selection. JAMES GILLUM, RB, 5-foot-11, 208 pounds Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston, Miss. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Gillum: Gillum was the nation's 12th-leading rusher as a sophomore at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he racked up 1,042 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He's one of eight early enrollees and will participate in the Gophers' spring practices. JORDAN HINOJOSA, DT, 6-foot-3, 275 pounds Miami Central High School, Miami Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Hinojosa: Hinojosa was the last Gophers commit to sign his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday. He was ranked as the No. 4 defensive tackle in the state of Florida by Scout.com, and the state's 88th-best player overall. Hinojosa was chosen to take part in the Nike South Florida All-Star Game. ANTONIO JOHNSON, OLB, 6 feet, 190 pounds Shaker Heights High School, Shaker Heights, Ohio Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Johnson: Johnson played on both sides of the ball as a senior, as he ran for 1,137 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2011. On defense, Johnson made 84 tackles and had a pair of interceptions during his senior season. At 6 feet, 190 pounds, Johnson is a physical cornerback and should provide depth in the secondary for Minnesota. ROLAND JOHNSON, DT, 6-foot-1, 295 pounds Butler County Community College, El Dorado, Kan. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Johnson: Johnson is another junior college recruit, as he comes to Minnesota via Butler County Community College. In 2011, Johnson had 27 tackles (seven for loss) and three sacks. He played his freshman year at Western Carolina, where he started 10 of 11 games as a true freshman. ALEX KEITH, DE, 6-foot-3, 230 pounds Columbia-Hickman High School, Columbia, Mo. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Keith: As a senior, Keith had 67 tackles (22 tackles for loss) and 12.5 sacks. As a tight endwide receiver, Keith caught five touchdowns passes during his senior season. He earned second-team All-State honors as a junior. BEN LAUER, OT, 6-foot-6, 265 pounds Wayzata High School, Wayzata, Minn. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Lauer: Lauer missed most of his junior season in 2010 after tearing his ACL and MCL, but he bounced back to have an impressive senior year. He was named All-State by the Associated Press. Scout.com ranked him as the No. 168 offensive tackle in the country. K.J. MAYE, ATH, 5-foot-10, 190 pounds Murphy High School, Mobile, Ala. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Maye: Maye is another player whose position the Gophers have listed as "athlete." As a senior at Murphy High School, Maye threw for 1,122 yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,041 yards and eight scores. He even spent time at wide receiver, catching 10 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns. ERIC MURRAY, WR, 6 feet, 178 pounds Riverside High School, Milwaukee, Wis. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Murray: Murray crosses the border from Wisconsin to play for the Gophers. He earned first-team All-State honors by both the Associated Press and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as he recorded three interceptions as a senior. On offense, Murray had 444 rushing yards and six touchdowns along with 434 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. LINCOLN PLSEK, ATH, 6-foot-4, 245 pounds Reicher Catholic High School, Waco, Tex. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Plsek: Plsek played a number of positions for Reicher Catholic, including offensive line and tailback. While he's listed by Scout.com as a defensive end, the Gophers envision Plsek on the offensive side of the ball. MARTEZ SHABAZZ, CB, 5-foot-11, 165 pounds Trinity Valley Community College, Athens, Tex. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Shabazz: Shabazz is another early enrollee for the Gophers, as he comes to Minnesota via Trinity Valley Community College. Shabazz had 43 tackles, 21 pass breakups and one interception during the 2011 season en route to earning All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference honors. YOSHOUB TIMMS, DT, 6-foot-2, 270 pounds Fort Walton Beach High School, Fort Walton, Fla. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Timms: As a senior at Fort Walton Beach High School, Timms had 27 tackles and a pair of sacks. He was named first-team all-area by the Northwest Florida Daily News in 2011. DAMARIUS TRAVIS, S, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds Pensacola High School, Pensacola, Fla. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Travis: At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Travis is certainly one of the biggest, most physical defensive backs of the Gophers' recruiting class. While at Pensacola High School, Travis earned all-area honors and was named second-team Florida Class 6A all-state as a senior in 2011. RODRICK WILLIAMS, RB, 5-foot-11, 228 pounds Lewisville High School, Lewisville, Tex. Scout.com ranking: Two stars About Williams: Williams racked up 850 rushing yards and three touchdowns during his senior season at Lewisville High School. He also had 26 catches for 389 and three scores. As a senior, Williams ranked No. 9 in the state of Texas in all-purpose yards with 1,239. Follow Tyler Mason on Twitter.