Minnesota Football: David Cobb and the Top 5 Impact Freshman for 2011

The Minnesota Gophers had a tough 2010-2011 season to say the least, but David Cobb and these five incoming freshmen could help right the ship.

Head Coach Jerry Kill recruited a class that ranks second to last in the Big Ten and 66th nationally, but a few players could make an impact during their freshman campaigns.

5. Peter Westerhaus

http://www.thedailygopher.com/2011/2/2/1929716/national-signing-day-the-2011-golden-gopher-recruiting-class-the-tim

Peter Westerhaus is listed as a tight end but I think he has the ability to be a hybrid receiver type player that can line up on the outside as well as on the line.

Westerhaus had nearly 700 yards receiving and eight touchdowns for Holy Family Catholic High School in Minnesota last year.

Peter Westerhaus got the job done on defense as well, earning Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors at linebacker.

4. Quinn Bauducco

http://www.thedailygopher.com/2010/7/20/1571369/a-midsummers-recruiting-update

Linebacker Quinn Bauducco is another 3-star recruit for the Gophers who has the athleticism to be a force on the defensive side of the ball—and he likes to hit.

Bauducco is listed at 6'3" 225 pounds so he has good size for an inside linebacker, and he could really play outside if Minnesota elected to have him do so.

Quinn is a sure tackler who will attack the ball and make plays. 

3. Steve Montgomery

http://www.thedailygopher.com/2011/2/2/1958539/national-signing-day-the-2011-golden-gopher-recruiting-class-the

Steve Montgomery was Minnessota's most heavily recruited prospect—also recruited by Oklahoma State, West Virginia and Maryland.

Montgomery looks to have the ability to not only be a shutdown cover corner, but also a big time hitter—something the Gophers could use in the secondary. 

I think Montgomery will end up being the best player in the 2011 Minnesota Golden Gophers recruiting class four years from now.

2. Max Shortell

Max Shortell is your prototypical college quarterback. At 6'6",Shortell has the ability to see the field and make plays with his big arm—as he displayed last year for Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, throwing for over 2,500 yards and 21 touchdowns. 

Shortell was the 21st ranked quarterback in the country, and he'll likely see some snaps during his freshman year.

1. David Cobb

http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?s=50934

David Cobb comes in with the most potential to make a splash his first year on campus. 

Cobb (5'11" 205lbs) choose to play with Minnesota despite having offers closer to his home state of Texas, where he rushed for over 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns during his senior year.

David Cobb is an all-around athlete, who, in addition to starting three years at running back for Killeen Ellison High School, also started for two years on the basketball team.

The Gophers are in need of playmakers and David Cobb looks to be the best bet to make some highlight reel type plays in 2011.