JD Pride will continue his family’s tradition of playing football for the Minnesota Gophers. JD’s father, John Dexter Pride Sr., played for Cal Stoll as a tailback and his uncle Marion Barber II and cousins Marion Barber III and Dominique Barber have their family legacy firmly planted in Gopher history. Pride is now the next in line for an extended family that has made significant contributions to the Gopher program.

Pride, a 6-1, 187lb Totino Grace High School junior, committed to the Gophers as a quarterback. He took time to speak with GopherHole.com today about his commitment on the same day that the Gophers beat the Purdue Boilermakers for their first Big Ten win at the TCF Bank Stadium.

GH: Why did you decide to commit to the Gophers today?

JDP: After thinking about it and talking to some family and friends, we just felt like staying here would be the best thing to do. I really don’t have any reason to leave, I’ve got friends here, I’ve got family here, I have friends that go there now, my Dad went there and we just thought this would be the best situation for me to keep playing football, and playing quarterback.

GH: Did Coach Brewster tell you that Quarterback was the position you’ll be able to play?

JDP: I’m being recuited as a quarterback, but obviously if they don’t need you there, they’re going to try you in other positions. Right now, that’s what I’m doing is playing quarterback, and that’s what he told me I could do, so I’m going to try that.

GH: What other positions are possible options for you?

JDP: Possibly defensive back or receiver.

GH: Do you think you’re going to have any pull with getting your best friend, Seantrel Henderson, to commit to the Gophers?

JDP: I care about where Seantrel goes, and I want him to make the best decision for himself. It would be nice if he came to the U with me and we could go to school together, but he needs to do what’s best for him.

GH: Do you know his thoughts on the Gophers right now?

JDP: You have to talk to Seantrel about that. All the schools that he’s considering; he likes them all. He’ll make his own decision.

GH: What did you think about today’s game?

JDP: It was a really good game. They fought hard, it was a good game on both sides of the ball. The Gophers got it done which I think they’ll continue to do for the rest of the year.

GH: What do you think you’ll be able to add to the team?

JDP: A little more athleticism. They’ve got a lot of it right now, but with me – especially at the quarterback position – I’ll be able to move around a lot. I’m pretty fast, so I can help with that. I play D-Back, and can possibly help at quarterback too.

GH: Are you planning on making visits to any other schools?

JDP: I might go to a few other games, I still want to take an official visit here.

GH: Did you pick up any other offers (besides the U) since the last time we talked?

JDP: The U is the only offer I have. I talk to Kentucky a lot, they were really interested in me, I also talk to Michigan a lot too, and they’re really interested in too, but they wanted me to play on the other side of the ball. The U, they’re giving me a shot to play quarterback and that’s what I love. I’m going to keep trying to play that as long as I can.

GH: Do you worry about competition at the quarterback position with Weber, Gray, Alipate, Parish, etc?

JDP: I’m not even thinking about that, I’m just anxious to get out there and show everybody what I can do. I don’t think of it as an intimidation factor, it just pumps me up more. They’re all great quarterbacks, I just need to get there, work hard, and see what happens.

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