Identifying Potential Transfer Priorities for the Gophers (2025-26)

A month from today, the college football transfer window officially opens. The players Minnesota adds from other programs at that point are as important as the high school and junior college signings they make this Wednesday. Under P.J. Fleck, several key players came to Minneapolis as a second (or third stop): Benjamin St-Juste, Nyles Pinckney, Matthew Trickett, Max Brosmer, John Nestor, and many more.

A year ago today, I gave my predictions of what positions the Gophers would try to improve or fill with transfers. I was mostly right, though with qualifications: The coaching staff, seeing Drake Lindsey in practice every day, was willing to start him as a redshirt freshman rather than finding another rental starter. The team added two starting offensive linemen, not just one. They brought in two defensive tackles, but both were a little undersized, and only Rushawn Lawrence got to play after Mo Omonode's injury. Two cornerbacks came in (both with multiple years of eligibility), but only one safety going out meant that seeking backup at the back was not necessary. They also loaded up on specialists, brought in a tight end, and signed one of the top tailbacks on the market instead of just depth.

Notable is how some of the positions of need recur each year for the Gophers. For example: Three years ago, they needed a cornerback; two years ago, they needed a cornerback; a year ago, they needed a cornerback; and headed into next year, they at least might need a cornerback after it proved perhaps the Gophers' biggest flaw.

As generally consistent as Fleck's program has been, and granting that in some places it is relatively fine to plug in a new guy every year or two, Minnesota has had roster construction difficulties in recent years. It has become harder this decade for a "developmental program," to use a Fleckism, to balance the need for immediate results with actual development. Even if you find the right transfers to succeed at the former aim, shortcomings in the latter will catch up to you at some point. We saw how this affected the 2025 season.

Regardless of the bigger picture: Current needs are current needs, and the Gophers have some. Here are nine such needs they might try to address.

In this post, players are referred to by their class (freshman, sophomore, etc.) entering the 2026 season. This practice may be slightly confusing, but since this covers the 2026 roster, it is better than the alternative.

Running Back

Potential need: depth

The Gophers like to carry at least eight running backs. Assuming Darius Taylor leaves for the NFL, they are currently set to enter next preseason with seven. They should have total belief in A.J. Turner (if healty) and Fame Ijeboi but will be looking for a third-down back who can pass protect and be a threat out of the backfield. Cam Davis had that role this season, and Bryce Williams did for many years before him. Maybe Grant Washington, Xavier Ford, or one of the current commits can fill it now. Even if one of them can, Minnesota will add another tailback or two just to fill out the roster.

Wide Receiver

Potential need: depth

Like with other positions on the roster, Minnesota's need at receiver is dependent on how much they have to replace. If the only losses are Le'Meke Brockington, Logan Loya, and Quentin Redding, the Gophers might be fine letting their young players — and it is a young group — step into bigger roles. A team could do far worse than a starting three of Malachi Coleman, Jalen Smith, and Javon Tracy. Kenric Lanier earned a role with his blocking this season and will get more snaps. If Cristian Driver and Bradley Martino are available after missing this season, that can just about round out the rotation.

As always, though, targets are hard to come by, and those who will not play much in 2026 could look for new schools. If that happens, or if the staff wants a receiver who can do a specific job in the offense, we can expect at least one new face.

Tight End

Potential need: immediate contributor

Now we hit the bigger concerns. Minnesota regularly used four tight ends this fall. Three are out of eligibility. However well the Gophers think of Pierce Walsh and those behind him on the depth chart — including Jackson County Central blue-chipper Roman Voss — they will surely pursue a veteran option. I would guess it is someone with the receiving chops to alleviate the losses of Jameson Geers and Drew Biber, who accounted for 44 of the Minnesota tight ends' 49 receptions this regular season.

Offensive Tackle

Potential need: immediate contributor

The Minnesota offensive line has to get better. I am confident the Gophers will add at least one starting lineman this offseason. The questions are whether it is one or two; and if it is one, which position will they prioritize between guard and tackle? If they do not feel confident in Kahlee Tafai, then they will add a tackle. If they do like Tafai — and his inability to displace Dylan Ray puts that in doubt — their plethora of underclassman tackles (including four in this high school class) means we should not expect them to bolster their reserves further at this position.

Guard

Potential need: immediate contributor

The bigger concern is guard. Redshirt senior Tony Nelson has seen sporadic spot duty in his college career, which suggests he could be an adequate one-year starter on a better line. But this is not a better line, and Minnesota likely does not want to replace their entire interior going into 2027. If the Gophers can find a two-year transfer to step in at right guard and improve the run game, that would be ideal.

Defensive Tackle

Potential needs: immediate contributor and depth

Minnesota needs to get bigger on the inside. Riley Sunram and Theorin Randle are the team's only returning defenders currently listed at 300 pounds or heavier. Though each has rotated into games (Sunram in 2025, Randle in 2024), and we can expect one or both to play regular roles in 2026, they still have limited track records. The Gophers need a more proven nose tackle to at least compete for the job.

The other tackle spot remains a concern as well. If Purdue transfer Mo Omonode can get a waiver for an extra year of eligibility after missing all of 2025, he could start as a stocky 3-technique rather than taking his usual role as an undersized nose. If he does not return, the Gophers will have to find reinforcements. Jaylin Hicks looks more like a Rushawn Lawrence replacement, rotating in as a pass rusher but needing a little more heft to contribute against the run. Current commit K.J. Henson could help plug holes, but his productivity in junior college might not immediately translate to the Big Ten. Adding even a big-bodied short-yardage specialist will help.

5-Technique Defensive End

Potential need: immediate contributor

The Gophers will want to get each of Jaxon Howard and Karter Menz on the field as much as they can. Both players have had excellent 2025 campaigns. Alternating the two, and giving them some snaps at linebacker or the other line spots on passing down packages, will balance their workloads and make the Gophers' rush end position one of its greatest strengths.

I don't think it is impossible that Howard puts on a little weight and moves to the other end position, but I don't consider it likely. The Gophers have for years played a big end opposite a quicker end to have one guy capable of holding the edge and one capable of rushing the passer or dropping into coverage. Howard's experience at linebacker makes him more valuable at rush end, and he just does not have the same profile as, say, Esezi Otomewo.

Instead, Adam Kissayi is set to succeed Anthony Smith on that side, having gotten into a few games over Illinois State transfer Steven Curtis. Kissayi is very green, though, and the staff clearly does not trust Curtis. Kissayi is also the tallest player on the roster but nowhere near as heavy as Smith. It is hard to maintain leverage at his height and without a bit more mass. Minnesota needs another end to at least split time with him, if not compete for the starting job. Since Kissayi will be just a redshirt sophomore — one of 15 underclassmen out of 21 projected defensive linemen, by the way — the ideal transfer may be a one-year stopgap to ease him into full-time snaps.

Cornerback

Potential need: depth

Entering 2025, we could guess that corner would be a problem on this roster, and, well, it was. While the Gophers did not hemorrhage yards on each catch, they allowed the 7th-highest completion rate in FBS despite the strength of their pass rush.

The good news is that, aside from Jai'Onte' McMillan, everyone who played important snaps will be back for 2026. The Gophers' young cornerbacks have taken their lumps, and now the team has experience at one of the positions in the sport where continuity is most vital. That won't translate into an elite secondary but should mean their pass defense comes closer to average.

The worry is who might leave. Jaylen Bowden likely saw himself at least contributing in the Big Ten when he arrived from N.C. Central, and he is the fourth choice — lower, actually, if Aidan Gousby's surpriseappearance at corner versus Wisconsin precipitates a permanent move. If Bowden doesn't get a shot at nickel, it will be hard for him to get on the field otherwise. Evan Redding and Rhyland Kelly may want to spend their last years of eligibility doing more than covering kicks. One or two of Samuel Madu, Naiim Parrish, and Simon Seidl should make the regular rotation in 2027, but maybe whoever is currently third in line decides to find another school. Just a couple departures could leave Minnesota needing outside help just for special teams, let alone protection from injury on defense.

Kicker

Potential need: depth

Three of the four placekickers on Minnesota's roster in 2025 graduate, leaving only redshirt freshman Daniel Jackson. We can expect Jackson to take the main job, but as anyone who watched the 2020 season knows, you need backup specialists. Unless one of the currently four punters switches positions, we can expect multiple new kickers to join the team.