TRANSFERRED OUT:

OL Cade McConnell
OL De'Eric Mister
CB Tariq Watson

Dylan Wittke, Virginia Tech QB - Grade: B-

Tyler Williams, Georgia WR - Grade: A+

Adam Kissayi, Clemson DE - Grade: A-

Jaxon Howard, LSU DE - Grade: A+

Thoughts:

- All are young, unproven guys that can have high upside in the future. And in some cases, like Williams and Howard the near future.

- Wittke is a solid addition and adds some much-needed depth at the QB spot, but adding someone with some college experience would have been more beneficial. However, this is the spring portal window, so you can't be too picky and I'm sure the staff is hoping Wittke will be in the conversation to be a starter in 2025.

- Williams is the kind of athletic wide receiver that Minnesota always desperately needs. He was buried on Georgia's depth chart, that's nothing to be ashamed about considering the level of talent they pull in at the WR position. He'll get his chance to shine with the Gophers and could be the biggest difference-maker of the group so far.

- Kissayi is a guy that was previously committed to Minnesota, so him coming back in the fold is good news and if Clemson wanted him, it will be interesting to see what kind of player he can be with the Gophers.

- Howard gets an A+ for obvious reasons. Former No. 1 player in the state and was No. 127 in the 2023 class. He has the pedigree to be an excellent college player, Minnesota pushed really hard for him out of high school, and could turn into an all-conference type of rush end.

Share your thoughts below....

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Will post a story on Holley with full quotes on his weekend visit with Gophers, but I'd say it couldn't have gone any better. He already had a summer OV set with Minnesota before his trip. This is the money quote following his visit...

"I love it! Like, legitimately in love with the place and the people."

I just put in a FutureCast in favor of Minnesota as well

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New DE offer with a quick OV setup and now a commitment to the Gophers. Has a notable offer from Boston College and some MAC programs

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An update with three-star safety target Micah Rice, who was on campus this past weekend to see the Gophers in action.

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Oregon guard that was recently on campus has committed to the Gophers

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Coming off his freshman season at Georgia, Williams was the No. 132 prospect in the 2023 class

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After committing to Minnesota for a period of time last year coming out of HS, Kissayi is coming back to Minnesota after spending the spring semester at Clemson

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Gophers staff watched him workout at his school on Monday. Meeting with Fleck today turns into an offer and a commitment.

Begalle led the state in receiving yards with 1,252 to go along with 74 catches and 12 touchdowns. He averaged 16.9 yards per catch during his junior season.

Also held offers from Army and Air Force.

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Big portal pickup for the Gophers. DL coach Winston DeLattiboudere was recently down in Louisiana to visit with Howard, now Minnesota will get the former No. 1 player in the state in a Gophers' uniform.

Howard was ranked the No. 1 player in the state in the 2023 recruiting class and No. 127 overall.

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Five Golden Gophers scored in double figures and Minnesota defeated the LIU Sharks 92-57 at home Wednesday in Dawn Plitzuweit's coaching debut at the 'U'.

The Golden Gophers (1-0, 0-0 B1G) had five players score in double figures, led by sophomore Mara Braun, who had 25 points, six assists and three steals. Sophie Hart added 11 points and six rebounds in her Minnesota debut while redshirt freshman Niamya Holloway chipped in as well with 11 points and six rebounds off of the bench.

Led by Holloway's five offensive rebounds, Minnesota pulled down a total of 16 offensive boards that resulted in 20 second chance points.

Minnesota forced 21 LIU turnovers which led to 27 points on the other end of the floor. Graduate student Janay Sanders led the way individually with three steals, also making her Minnesota debut.

How It Happened

Minnesota started out the scoring by going on an 11-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Braun, to take an early lead with 7:46 left in the first quarter. The Golden Gophers then added 14 points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 34-9 advantage. Minnesota relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down seven shots to account for 21 of its 34 points.

Minnesota built that first quarter lead to 40-13 before going on a 9-0 run starting at the 5:53 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Ajok Madol, to increase its lead to 49-13. The Sharks cut into that lead, but the Golden Gophers still enjoyed a 55-21 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 21 points.

Minnesota continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Ayianna Johnson, to expand its lead further to 62-27 with 4:33 to go in the third. The lead at the end of 30 minutes for the Maroon and Gold was 68-44.

Minnesota kept widening that lead in the final quarter, expanding it to 83-57 before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Holloway's jumper, to grow the lead to 92-57 at the final buzzer. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post in the fourth, scoring 14 of its 24 points in the paint.

Game Notes

» Coach Plitzuweit's 35-point win is the most in a coaching debut at Minnesota.
» Niamya Holloway played her first game in 607 days, her first minutes in an official game since her senior year of high school.
» The Golden Gophers never trailed after taking a 34-9 first quarter lead, scoring the most first quarter points in school history.
» Braun has made at least one three in 13 straight games dating back to last season.
» In two season openers Mara Braun has averaged 23 points per game (21 points in 2022-23 opener and 25 points in 2023-24 opener).
» Minnesota had a 45-29 edge on the boards in the win.
» Sophie Hart scored 11 points in her first college game in 352 days.
» Braun led the team with six assists and she tied her career high in made threes with 5.

Lack of experience on the outside really stands out following Watson's departure this week.

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Minnesota lands the big man from Canisius, who just visited with the Gophers