The Early Signing Period is set to begin on December 16th and the Gophers are still looking to add a few more pieces to their 2021 recruiting class, most notably at offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
- Buckley remains a priority for the Gophers. The three-star prospect just put Minnesota in his Top 5 last week, something that didn't come as a surprise if you read our latest story on Buckley courtesy of @JaredHalus. The other schools involved are Michigan State, Nebraska, Cincinnati, and Florida State. Michigan State and Nebraska are the schools that have recruited Buckley for as long as the Gophers have. He also had a chance to visit the campuses of both Michigan State and Nebraska before COVID hit. Will be interesting to follow going forward, but Minnesota is squarely in the mix here.
- Reese is also a name to keep an eye on here. He still remains committed to Rutgers, but there have been rumors that he could jump ship depending on the situation. Of course, Minnesota was very involved with Reese before he gave his pledge to the Scarlet Knights and the Gophers are still keeping tabs on him. Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Texas Tech, and others are also showing interest as well. This is definitely something to keep an eye on moving forward.
DEFENSIVE LINE:
- Porter is a defensive tackle that Minnesota is making a strong push for and hoping to flip from Boston College. The three-star has been committed to BC since May and the Gophers extended an offer back on October 14th. He's already had a virtual visit with Minnesota. Maryland is another school that is trying hard to flip Porter. We heard that Porter wanted to go to Maryland initially, but the staff balked at taking him for some higher-rated guys at the time and are now circling back to him with his new senior film coming out. Will be interesting to see if being snubbed by Locksley and his staff initially could end up benefitting Minnesota in the end.
- Minnesota extended an offer to a talented JUCO in Isaiah Iton, a Northern Colorado bounce back. He's a mid-year player who has really picked up a lot of interest over the last month+ with Texas Tech, Florida State, Baylor, Virginia Tech, Indiana, Illinois, Ole Miss, Miss. State, Syracuse, Maryland, Houston, and others all offering. He was planning to release a Top 5 soon, but with all the newfound attention, curious to see if that happens. Regardless, he'll be making a decision very soon and enrolling in a school in January.
- McCoy tweeted last week that he'll be making his commitment on December 9th. The three-star prospect had the Gophers among his Top 5 back in August along with Baylor, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech. We're hearing that a majority, if not all, have backed off McCoy (Minnesota included) after evaluating his senior film. Duke seems still be involved with McCoy and may be the school to watch for him now.
LINEBACKERS:
- Ratzlaff wasn't selected in the 2020 NHL Draft and asking around, if he does end up pursuing football in college things are trending in the direction of Wisconsin.
- Nothing new here really. Despite Michigan's start and continuous questions surrounding Harbaugh's future status with the program, Hood remains committed. Gophers are still making a strong push along with Miami. Hood was planning to visit Michigan for the Wisconsin game with a handful of other commitments, but didn't make the trip. Not getting up to Ann Arbor could cause him to delay his signing until February, so that's something to watch next month. If he doesn't sign early with the Wolverines, that could bode well for the Gophers who have had a solid relationship with Hood for quite a while.
n.rivals.com
TRANSFERS:
- Minnesota doesn't have a ton of transfers on their roster, but the portal is chalk-full of options that the staff will look into and find potential good fits for either of the three positions of need - OL, DL, and LB.
Obviously, Harvard offensive guard Eric Wilson is one we've previously mentioned on the site. Wilson will get his degree at Harvard in May and look to transfer to another school during the summer. He was a preseason All-American and All-Ivy League second team last season. Minnesota is squarely in the mix of schools that have offered along with Memphis, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Boston College, LSU, and Florida State.
EXPECTED EARLY ENROLLEES:
- These are the five commitments that are expected to be early enrollees for the Gophers in the 2021 class. A good mixture of offensive and defensive weapons that will get an early start on their college careers.
DON'T FORGET:
n.rivals.com
- After gray shirting, McGill is also expected to sign with the Gophers next month. The former Mesquite (Tex.) product played quarterback during his senior season in 2019 and threw for 1,335 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five touchdowns this season, in addition to over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. Minnesota likes him as a wide receiver in college with tight ends coach Clay Patterson heading up his recruiting process. We hope to have more on him later this week.
ROSTER BUZZ:
- @Alex Carlson previously mentioned this on the board, but we have heard from people close to the program that there is a lot of confidence that both Curtis Dunlap, Jr. and Daniel Faalele will return next season for the Gophers. That would obviously be a big boost for the Minnesota offense.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
- Buckley remains a priority for the Gophers. The three-star prospect just put Minnesota in his Top 5 last week, something that didn't come as a surprise if you read our latest story on Buckley courtesy of @JaredHalus. The other schools involved are Michigan State, Nebraska, Cincinnati, and Florida State. Michigan State and Nebraska are the schools that have recruited Buckley for as long as the Gophers have. He also had a chance to visit the campuses of both Michigan State and Nebraska before COVID hit. Will be interesting to follow going forward, but Minnesota is squarely in the mix here.
- Reese is also a name to keep an eye on here. He still remains committed to Rutgers, but there have been rumors that he could jump ship depending on the situation. Of course, Minnesota was very involved with Reese before he gave his pledge to the Scarlet Knights and the Gophers are still keeping tabs on him. Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Texas Tech, and others are also showing interest as well. This is definitely something to keep an eye on moving forward.
DEFENSIVE LINE:
- Porter is a defensive tackle that Minnesota is making a strong push for and hoping to flip from Boston College. The three-star has been committed to BC since May and the Gophers extended an offer back on October 14th. He's already had a virtual visit with Minnesota. Maryland is another school that is trying hard to flip Porter. We heard that Porter wanted to go to Maryland initially, but the staff balked at taking him for some higher-rated guys at the time and are now circling back to him with his new senior film coming out. Will be interesting to see if being snubbed by Locksley and his staff initially could end up benefitting Minnesota in the end.
- Minnesota extended an offer to a talented JUCO in Isaiah Iton, a Northern Colorado bounce back. He's a mid-year player who has really picked up a lot of interest over the last month+ with Texas Tech, Florida State, Baylor, Virginia Tech, Indiana, Illinois, Ole Miss, Miss. State, Syracuse, Maryland, Houston, and others all offering. He was planning to release a Top 5 soon, but with all the newfound attention, curious to see if that happens. Regardless, he'll be making a decision very soon and enrolling in a school in January.
- McCoy tweeted last week that he'll be making his commitment on December 9th. The three-star prospect had the Gophers among his Top 5 back in August along with Baylor, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech. We're hearing that a majority, if not all, have backed off McCoy (Minnesota included) after evaluating his senior film. Duke seems still be involved with McCoy and may be the school to watch for him now.
LINEBACKERS:
- Ratzlaff wasn't selected in the 2020 NHL Draft and asking around, if he does end up pursuing football in college things are trending in the direction of Wisconsin.
- Nothing new here really. Despite Michigan's start and continuous questions surrounding Harbaugh's future status with the program, Hood remains committed. Gophers are still making a strong push along with Miami. Hood was planning to visit Michigan for the Wisconsin game with a handful of other commitments, but didn't make the trip. Not getting up to Ann Arbor could cause him to delay his signing until February, so that's something to watch next month. If he doesn't sign early with the Wolverines, that could bode well for the Gophers who have had a solid relationship with Hood for quite a while.
Rivals.com - Gophers Staying In Touch With Michigan LB Commit Jaydon Hood
Michigan LB commit Jaydon Hood updates the current state of his recruitment
n.rivals.com
TRANSFERS:
- Minnesota doesn't have a ton of transfers on their roster, but the portal is chalk-full of options that the staff will look into and find potential good fits for either of the three positions of need - OL, DL, and LB.
Obviously, Harvard offensive guard Eric Wilson is one we've previously mentioned on the site. Wilson will get his degree at Harvard in May and look to transfer to another school during the summer. He was a preseason All-American and All-Ivy League second team last season. Minnesota is squarely in the mix of schools that have offered along with Memphis, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Boston College, LSU, and Florida State.
EXPECTED EARLY ENROLLEES:
- These are the five commitments that are expected to be early enrollees for the Gophers in the 2021 class. A good mixture of offensive and defensive weapons that will get an early start on their college careers.
DON'T FORGET:
Dylan Hillard Mc Gill 2020 Athlete Minnesota
Dylan Hillard-McGill - 2020 3 Star Athlete for Mesquite (Mesquite, TX) on Rivals.com
- After gray shirting, McGill is also expected to sign with the Gophers next month. The former Mesquite (Tex.) product played quarterback during his senior season in 2019 and threw for 1,335 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five touchdowns this season, in addition to over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. Minnesota likes him as a wide receiver in college with tight ends coach Clay Patterson heading up his recruiting process. We hope to have more on him later this week.
ROSTER BUZZ:
- @Alex Carlson previously mentioned this on the board, but we have heard from people close to the program that there is a lot of confidence that both Curtis Dunlap, Jr. and Daniel Faalele will return next season for the Gophers. That would obviously be a big boost for the Minnesota offense.
