Gophers Football: Hageman and others named to mid-season teams
By Frank Bi
Jul 24, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Gophers player Ra
The first of many mid-season player rankings are trickling out and a few Gophers are being recognized, despite a more than mediocre first-half record.
Minnesota’s favorite defensive lineman, Ra’Shede Hageman, was mentioned in the College Football 24/7 Midseason All-America Teams by Gil Brandt and Chase Goodbread of NFL.com.
Additionally, Hageman was also named to the First Team All-Big Ten Team by Phil Steele of the College Football Preview. Several other Gophers also made Steele’s list, including Marcus Jones (special teams, second team), Theiren Cockran (defense, second team), and Chris Hawthorne (special teams, third team).
A lack of offensive players being mentioned in any spotlight is telling of a Minnesota offensive that has struggled to find much consistency while dealing with injuries, suspensions, and shaky play.
If any offensive corp was to receive recognition, it would be from the running back position. Yet despite ranking in as the 29th best rushing attack in college football, no Gophers were mentioned from the backfield. Minnesota’s top tailback at the moment is David Cobb, who broke for 100-yards for the second time this season on Saturday against Northwestern. He has 477 yards on 88 carries and eight touchdowns this year.