Login to view embedded media
Fayetteville, Arkansas native that just took an official visit to Colorado State. Also holds offers from UNLV and UAB. Was the 7A player of the year last season

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

UND bound. Sounds about right. Maybe he will develop his game there and help the Sue to a Summit title!

Login to view embedded media
Wyoming OL transfer that played guard this past season

New Rochelle (N.Y.) Iona Prep defensive lineman Jaylin Hicks was another top Minnesota target that was on campus for a two-day visit earlier this week.

The 6-foot-4, 261-pound prospect has held an offer from the Gophers since January 26th with new cornerbacks coach Nick Monroe serving as his main recruiting contact on the staff. Monroe has been recruiting Hicks since his time at Syracuse, so there is a lot of familiarity between the two.

Fresh off his visit to the Twin Cities, Hicks now holds the Gophers in high-regard in his recruiting process. He details what stood out with TGR below.

Login to view embedded media
- On what stood out during his two-day visit with the Gophers:

"The facility was a big part that stood out to me and the progress that players made in their bodies from being developed in different ways from freshmen year to senior. College ball moves fast, everything’s quick and done with a purpose and they are in and out nothing over an hour and 50 minutes."

- On observing DL coach Winston DeLattiboudere during practice:

"Very energetic, passionate, and loving of the sport. Loving of his boys and he’s not only a big brother to his boys(the dline) but kind of a father, a teacher. He knows how to get you right in your position and is a technician."

- On conversations with head coach P.J. Fleck:

"Went well. He really likes me and I really like him. He's a genuine man and teacher. Talked about holding his players to a standard they say they want to achieve and if they really want it bad. He’s gonna make us fail everyday so he could build us back up and make us better. A man who cares about his players because he’s an overachiever and wants his players to overachieve in all aspects of life."

- On conversations and hanging with cornerbacks coach Nick Monroe:

"That dude is just great. That's the man right there, I love that dude. So, it was great to catch up with him and seeing how much he enjoys being at Minnesota."

- On impressions of Minnesota after his visit:

"I love Minnesota. It's definitely a favorite."

NOTES: Hicks said Minnesota is one of three schools he's got pegged for an official visit, along with Penn State and Syracuse.

Login to view embedded media

Fleming Island (Fla.) Bolles defensive lineman Garrison Butler already has plenty of options as nearly 20 programs have extended offers so far.

However, Minnesota is one of the programs that is sticking out the most. So much so, that the 6-foot-2, 270-pound talent already has an official visit locked in with the Gophers this summer.

"An official visit, June 16th-18th," Butler said of when he'll visit the Twin Cities.

Login to view embedded media
Since picking up his offer from the Gophers back on February 26th, Butler has been in frequent talks with with head coach P.J. Fleck and defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III.

"Both great guys. I love the fact they text me everyday and call me every other day. Their football knowledge is top notch."

As Minnesota continues to build a physical front line, both Fleck and DeLattiboudere feel Butler has the tools to become an impact player in the Big Ten.

"(They like) my power and violent hands on the line."

Butler has also taken a virtual tour of the campus and facilities with the coaching staff in preparation for his summer official.

"Very impressed with everything. It looks amazing," Butler said of his virtual tour.

He noted that he's looking forward to seeing how Minnesota runs their program and getting a chance to see the campus and facilities in-person during his summer official.

Butler is coming off a recent two-day visit with Iowa State. He'll be at Cincinnati this upcoming weekend and he also has a summer official planned with Oregon State as well.

Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media
McClaslin will visit Minnesota again this upcoming weekend

Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media

Likely will back-up center spot and help develop our bigs, grab a few boards and add some rim protection. And maybe add some nature leadership. Welcome aboard

Both Jaden Henley and Treyton Thompson have entered the transfer portal



Gophers also losing Taurus Samuel, Ta'Lon Cooper, and Jamison Battle this offseason

Login to view embedded media
Rainer will announce his commitment later today at 4 p.m. CST

Heading into Tuesday's visit with Minnesota, New Rochelle (N.Y.) Iona Prep offensive tackle Rowan Byrne had a lot of interest in the Gophers.

"What interests me a lot is the caliber of offensive linemen that come out of Minnesota and the great history of offensive line play," Byrne told TGR ahead of his visit.

Login to view embedded media
The rising 2025 prospect came away impressed with Minnesota after getting a very detailed look at the program during his two-day visit.

"Practice was awesome," Byrne noted. "They really got after it. I saw a lot of stuff while I was there - full campus tour facility tour and saw spring practice over the two days."

Spring practice and getting to spend time with offensive line coach Brian Callahan was definitely a highlight of Byrne's trip.

"I loved coach (Brian) Callahan," Byrne said. "I thought me and him connected well and I’m excited to build my relationship with him. The way he coaches offensive line is excellent. The values he has for his offensive lines are great, and he develops linemen so well. Results speak for themselves. He consistently has a top offensive line in the country and sends guys to the next level yearly. There’s no doubt to me he’s one of the best offensive line coaches out there."

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound prospect also got have great conversations with head coach P.J. Fleck as well.

"I like his intensity and passion for the game. I also really loved how much he cares about his players and developing them into good men for life. He wants to develop you as a man and a football player which is so important to me. I really liked his personality the energy was real and it’s contagious, you wanna run through a wall for Coach Fleck."

New cornerbacks coach Nick Monroe has served as Byrne's main recruiting contact on Minnesota's staff, a relationship that dates back during his time at Syracuse.

"I've had a relationship and been building one with him for a while now. Conversations were great with him as always, I have a great relationship with him, especially as he lived in New York for so long."

Overall, the Gophers left a very strong impression on Byrne following his time on campus.

"I’m loving Minnesota, I could really see myself there playing for Coach Fleck and Callahan and loving being a part of the program."

Byrne has also taken recent visits to Rutgers, Syracuse, Pitt, and Boston College - he possesses offers from all of those programs as well.

Login to view embedded media

@GophersKaneRob discusses the Gophers' 2023 schedule, the teams that will love/hate the scrapping of divisions, the commitment of Riley Sunram, and more

Login to view embedded media
At Texas, also visited Arkansas and Illinois recently

Login to view embedded media
Earlier today, Fleck confirmed Knuth was no longer on the team

Notes from todays media only #Gophers practice

Head Coach PJ Fleck confirmed QB Jacob Knuth is no longer on the team

Team was sloppy today especially on offense with players lining up incorrectly. Motioning wrong. Etc. PJ very vocal with his displeasure

-Deven Eastern & Kyler Baugh both seemed to get injured today. Baugh returned quickly and interviewed with media after. Deven did not (hopefully minor)

-Elijah Spencer was out today. Both Darius Taylor and Zach Evans out with inj. Coach Fleck expects they could be back soon

-Coach Fleck mentioned the spring game format will most likely be very different this year. Some players you'd expect to play may not.

You can find my practice thread here:
Login to view embedded media

BOOM!

Big time pickup for the Gophers D-line fresh off of a visit.

Story coming soon.

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Zahir Rainer has been to West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Minnesota, UNC, and Stanford in the last 6 weeks. An insane amount of traveling and just a crazy amount of schools to see in such a short period of time.

To make things short, I think Minnesota made the best impression of the entire bunch.

Rainer has been very vocal about them leading the way to this point, and also about how important his family is in his decision. After his visit, I think it is safe to say that his family would be okay with him ultimately choosing the Gophers.

Dylan already has a FutureCast in for him, and I think it could be a good one. Time will tell.

Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media