Strong Gophers 2024 Class

Led by three 4-Star recruits, head coach P.J. Fleck and the Minnesota Gophers Football team introduced their 2024 recruiting class. The class comprises eight position groups, 14 defensive players, and 12 offensive players.

On defense, the Gophers added five defensive linemen, one linebacker, and eight defensive backs. On offense, Minnesota signed three quarterbacks, three running backs, two tight ends, two offensive linemen, and two wide receivers.

Gophers Top Recruits

#Gophers kept the big fish from their own pond this year in recruiting, Fleck had a fun story about being on the sideline for this game. Koi Perich points at his next coach while returning this one for a score. Fleck joked it was cool as long as he stayed committed to Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/vewpMsz6dc

— Eric Vegoe (@evegoe) December 20, 2023

The group is led by three 4-Star recruits. Koi Perich, a defensive back out of Esko Minnesota. Offensive tackle Nathan Roy from Mukwonago Wisconsin. And defensive lineman Ryan Sunram who hails from Kindred North Dakota.

Perich was the top-rated recruit out of Minnesota. Roy was ranked second overall in Wisconsin. And Sunram held the number one spot in North Dakota.

Other Standouts

Gophrs Commit QB Drake Lindsey (5)  – George “Clay” Mitchell/USA TODAY Network

Other freshmen standouts the Gophers added include offensive lineman Brett Carroll out of Olathe KS, quarterback Drake Lindsey from Fayetteville AK, and from Chanhassen MN, defensive lineman Sam Macy.

The Gophers added eight defensive backs after the graduation losses of All-American safety Tyler Nubin and cornerback Tre’von Jones. This is especially essential for a team that suffered numerous breakdowns in their secondary at critical junctures in games this season.

Quarterback Infusion

Led by Athan Kaliakmanis, the top three Minnesota quarterbacks have left or are leaving the program after this season. To fill this need, the Gopher signed three quarterbacks, two from the transfer portal.

Leading the charge out of the transfer portal is quarterback Max Brosmer from New Hampshire. Brosmer led all FCS quarterbacks in passing yards this season with 3,449 yards and added 29 touchdown passes.

This should provide a significant lift to the Minnesota passing attack that was disappointing with Kaliakmanis at the helm. To add depth to the quarterback position, the Gophers also added Fresno State transfer Logan Fife.

Gophers Find Success in Transfer Portal

Other significant Gopher transfer portal signees include cornerback Ethan Robinson from Bucknell, running back Sieh Bangura of Ohio University, and Texas Christian cornerback Jai’Onte’ McMillan. The Gophers anticipate adding additional players through the portal including another running back and possibly a linebacker.

Minnesota currently ranks 38th in 247 Sports’ 2024 football recruiting rankings. This ranking could obviously change per additional players who commit to the Gophers or other universities.

Coach Fleck is Pleased

Coach Fleck said this about his recruiting class. “We got four players in the All-American Bowl coming up. This group includes the top player from three different states. We have the top player in the State of Minnesota.”

He went on to say. “We signed 25 new Gophers. I’m sure you’re very aware of that and 15 states are represented. Every offensive and defensive position are represented. 15 mid-year enrollees, which is incredible, and also important for our development in 2024.”