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Minnesotan Sam Maresh was a four-star linebacker who signed with the home-state Gophers last year. His signing is probably Tim Brewster's second-biggest accomplishment (recruiting or otherwise) in his dismal first year at Minnesota, with the first being the inexplicable acquisition of Indiana dual-threat quarterback and Army All-American Marqueis Gray.

Maresh was a real threat to step directly into the starting lineup on Minnesota's beleaguered defense. Unfortunately, now Maresh has bigger things on his mind:

Sam Maresh, a top Gophers football recruit from Champlin Park, needs open heart surgery to repair or replace his aortic valve, his father, Bill, said this morning in an e-mail to the Star Tribune. The defect could potentially be career-ending.

Sad. Gopher Nation has a comprehensive recap of the situation, with extra details on the likely outcomes.