As the 2005 season came to a close, Glen Mason was locked in serious contract negotiations with Minnesota.

Eventually, the two sides came to an agreement and it was a mutual lovefest at the news conference after negotiations came to a successful conclusion. However, Mason has never said that Minnesota is the ideal job for a college coach, and it has long been assumed that he would leave for Ohio State if that job ever came open.

One of the reasons for that may be the difficulty when it comes to recruiting at Minnesota. More than anything, the Gophers are hurt by not having an on-campus, open-air stadium.

Top-ranked college players look at the Metrodome with huge indifference. Players who have the opportunity to play at Michigan, Ohio State or Notre Dame always give those teams an edge when it comes to their legendary stadiums. Minnesota simply can't compete in that area.

Mason and athletic director Joel Maturi know that. The recruiting grades put Minnesota near the bottom of the Big Ten, ranking ninth or 10th. Mason said the facility really hurts the team when it comes to in-state recruits.

"I know it's there because it becomes very evident when trying to recruit in-state players," he said.

The Gophers wanted to upgrade on the defensive end, and they believe they did that with the addition of pass rusher Sean McWhirter. Wide receiver Jamar Howard appears to have top playmaking skills.

TOP RECRUITS:

--DE Sean McWhirter, Maple Plain, Minn., Orono -- At 6-5 and 245, McWhirter has nice size for an incoming edge rusher. Tapes show that he regularly gets off the line of scrimmage with great quickness but he needs to learn how to use his hands better when going after the quarterback. McWhirter has solid functional football strength and is a very aggressive tackler.

--WR Jamar Howard, Cincinnati, Ohio, Withrow -- Howard has demonstrated all kinds of ability, but he certainly doesn't look the part. At 6-5 and 185 pounds, Howard has extremely long arms and legs and is clearly quite skinny. However, he moves very well for one so large and has excellent hands. He could eventually become a pass-catching tight end when he puts on weight, but don't sell him short as a big-play receiver.

--QB Adam Weber, Shoreview, Minn., Mounds View -- While he played in a run-oriented offense, Weber looks the part of an outstanding quarterback prospect. He has a compact, smooth release and gets rid of the ball quickly. Weber has good footwork and has the mobility to buy time with his feet. He throws very well on the run.

--The Gophers announced that five players will try to earn scholarships as walk-ons -- Brooks Albrecht, a receiver from Hutchinson; Ban Gaiter, a quarterback from Plymouth (Wayzata High); Belal Shouman, an offensive lineman from Lakeville (North High); Jimmy Snyder, an offensive lineman from Shorewood (Minnetonka High); and T.J. Wentzel, a defensive back from Emmetsburg, Iowa.

--Minnesota may have gotten a boost in its bid for a new stadium from a major snub in recruiting. Glen Mason was hoping to bring in offensive lineman Vic Carufel, but the stud blocker chose Notre Dame over the Gophers.

"Minnesota was close, but it doesn't help them that they don't have an on-campus stadium," Carufel said. "It's not a football school. If I was a hockey player, Minnesota would be my first choice. They're just not a big-time program."

Mason had no objections to Carfufel's blunt assessment.

"Why would I object to that comment when I believe that," Mason said at a news conference. "He's only reinforcing what (AD) Joel Maturi and I believe in. A stadium is not a want for us, it's a need."

--Minnesota has a plan and a $35 million naming rights deal with TCF Bank that would put a stadium on campus by 2010. But it needs the state legislature to approve a bill requiring 40 percent of the $260 million bill be paid by the state. Until then, the Gophers will play in the Metrodome.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "If I had my way, we would go back to no freshman being eligible because you would stop this funny business in recruiting. I think if most coaches were honest, you don't get them all. You would like another player here, another player there. You go after the best players you can interest in your school, and you try and meet your needs." -- Minnesota head coach Glen Mason on recruiting.

GLANCE AT 2006: The Gophers should continue to be very solid on the offensive side, but very questionable on the defensive side of the ball. QB Bryan Cupito and RB Gary Russell return, and that's an outstanding 1-2 punch. Cupito completed 150-of-251 passes for 2,215 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He throws an outstanding deep ball and has decent speed.

Russell ran for 1,053 yards as the backup to superstar Laurence Maroney and may be the second- or third-best running back in the Big Ten this season. He is a bruising power runner.

PRO POTENTIAL:

--RB Laurence Maroney -- Maroney is a likely first-round draft pick who is being compared to Seattle superstar Shaun Alexander because of his quickness and explosiveness.

--C Greg Eslinger -- The best center in the country. He is strong, smart and agile, and has the kind of ability to make him a great center at the next level.

--G Mark Setterstrom -- While he gets overshadowed by Eslinger, Setterstrom has good feet and is an excellent technician. At 6-3 and 295 pounds, he has good size and the frame to get bigger.

ROSTER REPORT: The Gophers appear to be quite healthy and should start spring practice with nearly a full complement of regular players.