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Football Recruiting ***THREE-STAR ATH SHAMARI EARLS LIKING MINNESOTA***

During the brief live period in July, Minnesota was able to host 2025 target Shamari Earls out of Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale. During his sophomore season, Earls starred at both wide receiver and safety for his high school during his sophomore season.

It appears the Gophers are recruiting the 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect as a safety with Minnesota safeties/passing game coordinator Danny Collins heavily involved in Earls' recruiting process.

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ON MINNESOTA:

"I loved campus. Liked how well me and Coach (Danny) Collins connected from talking about the defense and just conversing. The campus was really beautiful and academic buildings were good and of course football facilities. The amount of resources they have for wellness and recovery and the culture behind everything."

Earls also enjoyed the academic side of Minnesota, noting his interest in pursuing biomechanical engineering while also pursuing his football aspirations.

The Gophers made a strong impression on his visit as Earls noted they will be a program he strongly considers moving forward.

Earls also made a July visit to Michigan State, where he also holds an offer. Other notable offers on his resume include North Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Penn State, South Carolina, Duke, and others.

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Football Minnesota TE Breyvn Spann-Ford named to Mackey Award watchlist

Minnesota TE Breyvn Spann-Ford named to Mackey Award watchlist


Minnesota sixth-year tight end Breyvn Spann-Ford has been named to the preseason Mackey Award watch list on Friday. The Mackey Award is annually given out to the nation's best tight end.

Spann-Ford is coming off a terrific senior season for the Golden Gophers, totaling 42 receptions for 497 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2022 has totaled 70 receptions for 822 yards and five touchdowns in his career with the Golden Gophers.

On top of being named to the Mackey Award watch list this preseason, Spann-Ford has also been named to the East-Wet Shrine Bowl 1000, earned Big Ten Preseason Honors, and was a preseason First-Team All-Big Ten selection by College Football News, Pro Football Focused, Phil Steele, and Sports Info Solutions.

The Golden Gophers will go towards Spann-Ford to be an integral part of their offense this fall and to be a primary target of quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. He will also lead a tight end room that also features Nick Kallerup, Jameson Geers, Nathan Jones, and Pierce Walsh.

Football Recruiting ***2025 QB TARGET JACKSON KOLLOCK DETAILS VISIT***

It was a quarterback-heavy list of campers and visitors at Minnesota this past weekend. One of the featured signal-callers that toured campus and participated at the Gophers last Elite Camp of the summer was Laguna Beach (Calif.) product
Jackson Kollock.

The three-star product picked up an offer from Minnesota back on May 15th and was impressed with what he saw during his first trip to the Twin Cities.

Kollock detailed his time on campus with TGR below.

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- On what stood out during his Minnesota visit:

"Some things that really stood out to me was the culture and family they are building. The campus is beautiful and everyone in the program is so welcoming. Coach (P.J.) Fleck’s row your boat philosophy and the symbolism they used with the oar, boat, and compass really hit hard with me and spoke to me because of the things I have been through in life. I also really loved the energy of the coaching staff. Everyone is so passionate about football and you can tell they love what they do. That’s the type of program I want to be a part of and play for! I loved being coached up by Coach Fleck and Coach (Greg) Harbaugh at camp. They were running around with us and pushing us to be our best. I can’t wait to get back there."

- On what Coach Harbaugh likes about his skill set:

"Coach loved my huge upside because I’m a big, strong, young QB, and have a lot of room to grow. I am also very similar to the QB they have right now that’s going to start next year. He loved my accuracy and ability to make every throw on the field. I am a constantly learning and striving to be better."

- On what you like about Coach Harbaugh's personality:

"He is very passionate about what he does and brings a lot of high energy. He makes me feel very comfortable. I think he is someone I could see being a great mentor. He’s fun and easy to get along with. But he is also hungry to get better everyday and so am I. I think we get along pretty well."

- On how much he's liking Minnesota after his visit:

"Honestly I love it! I think it checks all the boxes for me. Football, academics, and social. It has so much to offer. I love to fish and be outdoors when I am not playing football and this is one of the best spots to do those things. I think the coaching staff at Minnesota will help me reach all my goals during college and beyond."

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