Darius Taylor says he “never really thought about leaving the Gophers”
As the Gophers wrap up their summer workouts, several players were able to speak to the media at their annual media day on Thursday, and star running back Darius Taylor II seemed excited to return for another season in maroon and gold.
Taylor impressed as a true freshman last season, rushing 138 times for 799 yards and touchdowns in just six games. He battled injuries in the second half of the regular season but returned for the Quicklane Bowl and set a career-high with 35 carries for 208 yards and a touchdown.
“I learned that everyone’s got their job to do, so you really have to make sure the plays work because everyone has to be in the right position, everyone has to be in the right spots,” Taylor said of his learning curve as a rookie. “The biggest thing is you have to do your job too, and for me that’s making sure people miss and breaking tackles.”
In the modern world of college sports, there were plenty of rumors that Taylor was looking to transfer elsewhere after the Gophers finished 6-7 and made a bowl game based solely on the team’s combined grade point average. Despite all the noise, he remained loyal to Minnesota.
“I didn’t really have to make a decision. I knew I wanted to come back. I love it here, it’s a great opportunity,” Taylor said. “Obviously we play ball, so for me, there was no question about leaving here because they put me in the best position to be great. And besides, I just love the guys, so it never really crossed my mind.”
Despite his decision to return, the Gophers have reshaped the running back room around their second-year star. In the offseason, they brought in Ohio transfer Sieh Bangura, Oklahoma transfer Marcus Major and Michigan State transfer Jaren Mangham, as well as incoming freshmen Ohifame Ijeboi and Jaydon Wright. Taylor and veteran Bryce Williams are the only two returning scholarship players at the position.
The Michigan native averaged 27.4 turnovers per game in his five appearances last season, but now that he has so many options and new quarterback Max Brosmer is on the team, the question is whether they will adopt the same offensive leadership strategy with a focus on the run.
“I think we want to form a committee for the backfield, we have great people all over the place,” Taylor said. “Obviously, you see we’ve brought so much talent into the room, so I don’t think it’s going to be a one-man show or anything like that, I think it’s going to be a committee.”
In his five appearances, Taylor averaged 159.2 yards per game. Missouri’s Cody Schraeder was the nation’s best running back last season with 125.2 rushing yards per game.
“In my opinion, it will be the same as last year. Once the season gets rolling, it’s time to go. DT will be DT,” he said, referring to himself in the third person.
Minnesota’s star running back will have a chance to showcase his skills in a thrilling Week 1 game against North Carolina and one of the best running backs in the country, Omarion Hampton. The Gophers and Tar Heels begin the season on August 29 at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
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