Gjere ends career after concussion battle

Minnesota sophomore offensive lineman Jimmy Gjere has opted to end his football career due to his ongoing battle with concussion-like symptoms, the team announced Monday.

Gjere, a four-star recruit out of Irondale High School in 2010 according to Rivals.com, started five games for the Gophers last season before suffering a season-ending concussion in the 58-0 loss to Michigan on Oct. 1.

His symptoms plagued him into the offseason, but the 6-foot-7-inch, 323-pound lineman was medically cleared for the start of fall camp. He was seen as the lead candidate to start at the right tackle position come the start of the season.

Josh Campion, a redshirt freshman from Fergus Falls, Minn., will presumably take over the vacated right tackle spot. Campion missed the entire 2011 season as he also struggled with concussion-like symptoms.

Gjere will remain in school at Minnesota, according to the Gophers. He was replaced by freshman wide receiver E.J. Sardinha on the Gophers' 105-man camp roster.