Quantcast
skip navigation

A versatile option

By DAVID La VAQUE, Star Tribune, 02/01/12, 8:30PM CST

Share

Brimming with athletic ability, Blaine's Anyanwu eventually will have a different role with the Gophers


Blaine’s Duke Anyanwu was joined by sisters Ogechi (left) and Chikadinaka (right), and his mother, Maryanne, on signing day.

Blaine senior Duke Anyanwu looked the part of a National Signing Day standout Wednesday morning. White shirt. Narrow black tie. Black sweater vest.

Those rubber bands on the Gophers signee's right wrist? Function over fashion.

"Those are kind of my good-luck charm," Anyanwu said. "I usually wear my little necklace for good luck, but today it's rubber bands."

He better keep them around as reminders. The Gophers likely will stretch his time and expand his athletic talents. The 6-4, 225-pound Anyanwu developed into a force at quarterback in Blaine's spread offense last fall, racking up nearly 2,000 total yards and 18 touchdowns.

The Gophers could groom Anyanwu to play anything from tight end, defensive end or outside linebacker.

"I'm willing to make a contribution in any way possible," he said.

He also is willing to wait. The Gophers might grayshirt Anyanwu and delay his official start with the team until January 2013. And he might still take a redshirt, delaying his on-field debut until the fall of 2014.

"But that's OK. Let him develop,'' Bengals coach Shannon Gerrety said. "He hasn't played one position in four years. He's been very unselfish about his needs."

While playing quarterback heightened his profile and taught him decision-making and leadership, Anyanwu's multitasking -- he also played inside receiver and outside linebacker -- made him an athletic but raw collegiate prospect.

Anyanwu, who turned 17 in September, did not receive a scholarship offer from the Gophers until about two weeks ago.

"When the U finds out where his spot is and where they think he's going to help them, he's going to help them a lot," Gerrety said. "He's such a great athlete."

Related Stories