VIDEO: Gophers Announce 18-Member Recruiting Class of 2013

Jerry Kill announced the eighteen high school prospects who officially signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Minnesota and play football for the Gophers.

Click the video box on this page to see an extended cut of Coach Kill's press conference.

Highlighting the class are junior-college transfer linebacker De'Vondre Campbell; runningback Berkley Edwards, younger brother of NFL'er Braylon Edwards; kicker/punter Ryan Santoso; quarterback/athlete Donovahn Jones and quarterback/receiver Chris Streveler.

While national recruiting services rate the Gophers' class poorly in relation to other Big Ten teams, Kill cited his program's increased rate of success in landing players also recruited by so-called power programs as a major positive.

After the Gophers' Class of 2012 was loaded with in-state prospects, Wayzata linebacker Chris Wipson stands as the lone Minnesotan in the Class of 2013.  Kill attributes that to a down year statewide talent-wise, and a lack of players who fit the Gophers current needs.  Kill says several in-state players - Cretin Derham-Hall's James Onuwualu (Notre Dame) and Tartan's Keelon Brookins (Wisconsin) - were actively recruited, but opted to leave home for college.

The signees for 2013 are:

• De'Vondre Campbell - LB - Ft. Myers, FL / Hutchinson CC
• Eric Carter - WR - Lakeland, FL / Lake Gibson HS
• Rayfield Dixon - LB - Loxahatchee, FL / Seminole Ridge HS
• Berkley Edwards - RB - Novi, MI / Chelsea HS
• Hendrick Ekpe* - DL - Lewisville, TX / Lewisville HS
• Donovahn Jones - QB/ATH - Stockbridge, GA / Dutchtown HS
• Ne'Niro Laster - LB - Shaker Heights, OH / Cleveland Heights HS
• Alex Mayes - OL - Van Alstyne, TX / Van Alstyne HS
• Daletavious McGhee - CB - Decatur, GA / Cedar Grove HS
• Jalen Myrick - CB - Bloomingdale, GA / Savannah Christian Prep
• Demaris Peppers - DL - Memphis, TN / Fairley HS
• Owen Salzwedel - DL - Beaver Dam, WI / Beaver Dam HS
• Ryan Santoso - K/P - Pace, FL / Pace HS
• Chris Streveler* - QB/WR - Crystal Lake, IL / Marian Central Catholic
• Damien Wilson* - LB - Gloster, MS / Jones County JC
• Chris Wipson - LB - Plymouth, MN / Wayzata HS
• Drew Wolitarsky - WR - Santa Clarita, CA / Canyon County HS
• Nate Wozniak - TE - Greenwood, IN / Center Grove HS

* = denotes players already enrolled in school

Click here for the players' bios as listed on the University of Minnesota Athletic website.

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