University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Returnees Take Stranglehold on All-Hair Team
7/11/2019 1:40:00 PM | Football
The coveted All-Headshot teams return ahead of 2019 season
After a long, tedious and careful process, Gopher Football is proud to present the 2019 All-Headshot Teams.
Every player enters headshot day with their eyes on one of the teams. This coveted honor fuels locker room chatter all season long providing players with the ultimate bragging rights. Graduated Gopher football players still talk about the All-Headshot teams with recently drafted Blake Cashman calling it the defining moment of his career.
This year's squads are the All-Hair, All-Beard, All-Smile and for the first time ever the All-Smooth Team. We get started with the announcement of our All-Hair Team.
The All-Hair Team was by far the most competitive battle out of any of the All-Headshot teams. The panel originally narrowed the list down to 25 finalists before settling on the final eight. Just missing a spot on the team were freshmen Logan Richter and Cam Wiley.
It's not easy for any freshman to crack a spot into the lineup, but Mike Brown-Stephens was up for the challenge. Not only was he the only newcomer to make the All-Hair Team, but he notched First Team honors. The nephew of artist John Legend has been waiting to grab the spotlight since he committed to don the Maroon and Gold.
"It's truly an honor for not only myself, but for my hair to finally get the proper recognition," Brown-Stephens said. "It's not easy keeping up with a lion's mane every day."
The rest of the First Team is crowded by returning honorees in Mayan Ahanotu, Brock Annexstad and Benny Sapp III.
"Two years in a row is an honor," Annexstad said. "It takes a lot of work, but it's moments like this that make all the conditioner worth it."
While it could not be confirmed, sources told Gopher Football that Annexstad has used up to 10 bottles of conditioner in a single month. The price some must pay for a spot on the All-Hair Team.
For Sapp it was never about just simply making the team, he wanted those First Team honors after breaking in as a Second Team winner a season ago.
"The process is everything," Sapp said. "I take much pride in making it the first two years of my career. There is definitely pressure to keep making it and stay in this First Team spot for years to come."
Demetrius Douglas brings home Second Team honors for the second year in a row while Justus Harris returns after a year off. Terell Smith locked down a spot for the first time in his career and Ko Kieft took the final spot after missing last year for a special cause. The long time All-Hair and All-Beard contender shaved his head last year for charity.
"It's nice to be back and be recognized for some solid lettuce, but I'm not anywhere near where I want to be yet," Kieft said. "I will say it is a commitment one should not take lightly."
As to be expected, not everyone is pleased to hear about the All-Hair Team results.
"I thought I was for sure going to make it this year," Tanner Morgan said. "Nine months of shaving led to this moment and I got snubbed again. I don't want to hear from the All-Hair teamers all season long again."