The bloodlines are there – as is the talent. And now so is the scholarship offer. The son of a Gopher and the cousin of one of the Gopher’s all-time families is quite the background for new Gopher offer, JD Pride. JD’s father 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 just may be 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, is being recruited by the Gophers as an athlete. He recently spoke with GopherHole.com about the Gopher offer, the interest from North Carolina and how family in the area may influence his decision, and the timeline for his recruitment.


GH: You started out at Cretin with Seantrel (Henderson), why did you decide to transfer?

JDP: Aside from school, I thought I’d have a better opportunity playing quarterback at another school. It was a hard decision, because I wanted to stay and be with my friends, but I just had to do what was best for me, which was transfer to Totino Grace.

GH: So as far as moving forward in college, is playing quarterback essential to you, or are you being recruited for other positions as well?

JDP: As far as playing at the next level, everyone is looking at me to play quarterback. If I do end up playing another position in college I’ll be a little upset because I’m used to playing quarterback, but I just love playing the game, period, so I’d adjust to play.

GH: How did you feel when you received your offer from the University of Minnesota?

JDP: It felt great, it was probably the best feeling I had in my life. I felt like all my hard work paid off and I just have to keep working hard and maybe I can get more offers. I like the U a lot; it was really big for me.

GH: I’m guessing with your family ties, you grew up a Gopher fan?

JDP: Yes, pretty much. I had a lot of family members that went there, I have friends that go there, it’s a big school for me.

GH: How much influence will you have on Seantrel (Henderson’s) college decision?

JDP: We always played with the idea of going to the same school together. We played two different positions and one school might need a lineman, and one school might need a quarterback, it’d be hard to coordinate that. As far as the U goes, it could be real possible that both of us could go to the U of MN. I’m not really sure right now.

GH: What in particular do you like about the U?

JDP: It’s just home for me, because I’ve always lived by the U. I’m in Brooklyn Park now, but I used to live two minutes from campus. Whenever I wanted to see the U of M campus, I could just ride my bike down there and get the atmosphere. The football atmosphere I like, and it’s a real big campus. I just like it a lot.

GH: Do you have any other offers from schools right now?

JDP: Not right now, but I’m expecting one from maybe, North Carolina next year, because they’ve been looking at me pretty heavily, but none other than Minnesota right now.

GH: What is your current height and weight?

JDP: I’m about 6’1, 188 pounds.

GH: What aspects of the game are you working on the most?

JDP: I’ll be working on footwork, because we run the wing t at my school, and a lot of schools run the spread, so I’m having to switch between spread and wing t. Probably just that, and my arm strength, everything else is pretty good.

GH: If you had to describe your game to someone that hasn’t seen you play, how would you describe it?

JDP: Amazing (laughing)! I’d probably say I know how to make time for myself when I’m in the back field, I’m real accurate with my throws, I’m a leader, I’ve always got a swagger on the field, which is a must-have at quarterback. I’m just really fun to watch.

GH: Academically, how are you doing?

JDP: I’m really good. I take the ACT this coming Saturday, I’m kind of pumped for that, I think I’m going to do well. I just took the prep class, so I think I’m ready for it.


– Previous article: GopherHole goes one-on-one with nation's number one – a Q&A with Seantrel Henderson
– Previous article: Jimmy Gjere, a self-described "Minnesota Boy" makes it official
– Previous article: Get to Know Your Future Gopher – Dan Orseske Q&A

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