Gophers

10 Minnesotans having strong college football careers elsewhere

September 14, 2018 at 12:24PM

Wisconsin's Ryan Connelly, who played high school football at Eden Prairie, tackled Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barnett during the Big Ten championship game last season. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

10 intriguing players from Minnesota

Listed with their year in school, position, college and, in parentheses, their high school:

Five to watch in FBS

Ryan Connelly, LB, Sr.

Wisconsin (Eden Prairie): Former walk-on led the Badgers with 88 tackles last season, including 11 tackles for loss. Made preseason Butkus Award watch list. Eight combined tackles and one sack in Badgers' 2-0 start this year.

Josh Corcoran, DE, Sr.

Northern Illinois (Lakeville South): Second-year starter. Earned third-team All-MAC honors in 2017. Didn't play first two games in 2018 because of injury. Expected to make his debut Saturday vs. Central Michigan.

Alex Hart, LB, Sr.

New Mexico (Prior Lake): Third on the team with 58 tackles and tops with five QB hurries last year. Led Lobos with 13 tackles in 45-15 loss vs. Wisconsin last week.

Amani Hooker, LB, Jr.

Iowa (Park Center): Recorded 56 tackles last season, including 41 solo. Member of AP All-Bowl team last year. Combined 12 tackles and one interception in first two games for Hawkeyes in 2018.

JD Spielman, WR, Soph.

Nebraska (Eden Prairie): Had 55 catches for 830 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman last year. Three catches for 67 yards and a touchdown in last week's 33-28 loss to Colorado.

Five to watch in FCS

Robbie Grimsley, Safety, Sr.

North Dakota State (Hutchinson): Second-team All-America last season after leading the Bison with 12 passes deflected and four interceptions.

Deion Harris, DB, Redshirt Sr.

North Dakota (Hibbing): Missed the 2017 season, but he earned Associated Press All-America second-team honors in 2016 after leading Big Sky with five INTs. Five tackles, including one for loss, in 2018 opening win vs. Mississippi Valley State.

Jesper Horsted, WR, Sr.

Princeton (Roseville): Had one of the best receiving seasons in Ivy League history last year with 92 catches for 1,226 yards and 14 TDs to set school records.

Greg Menard, DE, Redshirt Sr.

North Dakota State (Lakeville North): Missed 2017 season after suffering a torn ACL. Two-time FCS All-America who has 25 career sacks. Three tackles, a sack and pass breakup in 2018 opener vs. Cal Poly.

John Santiago, RB, Jr.

North Dakota (St. Francis): Named to AP All-America first team last season after leading FCS with 1,780 all-purpose yards. Rushed for 139 yards on 18 carries last weekend against Washington.

MARCUS FULLER