Going into this season, Koi Perich has received the most buzz of any Gophers defensive player, being named to a slew of watch lists for national awards and mentioned on various All-America teams.

But the Esko native might not be the most dangerous play-wrecker on that side of the ball.

Imposing and versatile defensive lineman Anthony Smith ranked 12th in the Big Ten in tackles for lost yards (11 1/2) last season, and the 6-foot-6, 285-pounder is the Gophers’ best bet to keep alive the program’s six-year streak of having a first- or second-round NFL draft pick.

New defensive coordinator Danny Collins has been around the program for the entirety of head coach P.J Fleck’s nine-year tenure. He thinks Smith has the highest ceiling of any D-lineman in that span, including Seattle’s second-rou

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