The top two position groups on the 2024 Gophers football team are its offensive and defensive lines. While that’s far from flashy, it’s an important baseline for any potential success this fall.

Minnesota and its name, image and likeness (NIL) collective, Dinkytown Athletes, has done a solid job of retaining starters from last season. Up front, that was crucial with left tackle Aireontae Ersery and edge rusher Jah Joyner.

Without many key defections via the NCAA transfer portal, the Gophers biggest issue coming out of last year’s 6-7 team was players running out of eligibility. And that’s one of the few things that’s not new in college football.

For example, the departure of star safety Tyler Nubin to the NFL makes that position group the U’s most tenuous going into the season opener against North Carolina on Aug. 29.

Here’s a brief breakdown of each position group this season, divided into tiers. (Each depth chart includes the player’s snap count in FBS last season, per Pro Football Focus.)

TOP TIER

Offensive line

LT — Aireontae Ersery (841); Phillip Daniels (0)
LG — Tyler Cooper (678); Tony Nelson (0)
C — Greg Johnson (397); Ashton Beers (1)
RG — Quinn Carroll (842); Nelson (0)
RT — Martes Lewis (617); Aluma Nkele (252)

The Gophers return 80 percent of their O-line starters and are able to move Johnson, who played guard as a true freshman last season, to center and replace departed senior Nathan Boe.

Ersery is a projected first-round NFL draft pick, while Carroll and Cooper are highly prized interior linemen. Lewis and Daniels could both see time at right tackle, while Aluma Nkele, a Texas-El Paso transfer, is the most-experienced backup.

“We are really mature,” Carroll said. “… We communicate well, and if we have a bad play we’re able to flush it and move on to the next one. We’re aggressive. We’re physical.”

Defensive line

DE — Jah Joyner (422); Anthony Smith (305)
DT — Jalen Logan-Redding (504); Darnell Jefferies (0)
DT — Deven Eastern (427); Logan Richter (265)
DE — Danny Striggow (505); Jaxon Howard (30)

Minnesota’s staff in preseason camp has lauded the players’ ability to move into different spots and believes the line’s overall depth will help it wreak havoc this fall.

Joyner, a rising NFL prospect, had a team-high 7½ sacks last season and he hasn’t been shy about a goal of double digits this season.

The only question mark is how the U fills in at one-technique tackle, a spot Kyler Baugh held down in all 26 games over the last two seasons.

“I think this is one of the most experienced defensive lines that we’ve had since I’ve been here, and I’ve been a part of some great defensive lines here,” Striggow, a fifth-year veteran, said. “To see how this individual group has come together has been really fun.”

Running backs

RB — Darius Taylor (238); Marcus Major (215)

After leading the Big Ten in rushing in September, Taylor was injured and missed the bulk of the conference season. If his current injury from preseason camp doesn’t linger, Fleck sees “full playmaker ability” in his top tailback given Taylor’s rushing and pass-catching skills.

Major, a sixth-year transfer from Oklahoma, has reminded Fleck of the U’s all-time leading rusher, Mo Ibrahim.

“Every time I see that (No.) 24, I think, ‘Man, looks like 24, just bigger,’ ” head coach P.J. Fleck said. “Marcus is another guy that has exceeded my expectations. He can run in between the tackles really well. He can get thin really fast and he can play behind his pads really well. (He) anticipates blocks — I think that is huge for a running back.”

MIDDLE TIER

Linebackers

LB — Cody Lindenberg (241); Matt Kingsbury (26)
LB — Maverick Baranowski (372); Tyler Stolsky (163)
LB — Devon Williams (702); Joey Gerlach (32)

The prolonged absence Lindenberg, an all-Big Ten caliber player, was devastating to Minnesota’s defense a year ago, but it thrust others into baptisms by fire. All other players on the depth chart should benefit from the experience they gained in 2023.

New defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Corey Hetherman has been wowed by Anoka native Lindenberg.

“He’s one of the smarter football players I’ve been around,” Hetherman said. “Situational football, being able to handle checks, being able to handle different situations, he plays fast. He really sees the game well. I think it’s moving pretty slow for him right now. He’s a guy that we trust.”

Quarterbacks

QB — Max Brosmer (0); Drake Lindsey (0)

The Gophers have been wildly impressed with Brosmer’s leadership skills and mental acuity, but the sixth-year transfer from FCS-level New Hampshire will have prove it on the field. He has advanced beyond his bumpier learning curve in spring practices.

“I’m very confident in Max,” said Greg Harbaugh, the Gophers’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. “He has done a phenomenal job of taking each experience and learned in spring ball, training camp, throughout the summer and (is) putting that to good use now. He’s rolling. He’s really in a good state mentally, which I am really excited about.”

The true freshman Lindsey, the No. 23 QB recruit in the nation in the 2024 class, has shown a precocious streak since coming onto campus in January. But he will only be called upon if absolutely necessary.

Cornerbacks/Nickelbacks

CB — Justin Walley (734); ZaQuan Bryan (25)
CB — Ethan Robinson (0); Ryland Kelly (1)
NB — Jack Henderson (497); JaiOnte McMillan (81)

Walley has been a reliable starter since midway through his freshman year in 2021, while Robinson was a sought-after transfer from FCS-level Bucknell. Robinson will be asked to step in for TreVon Jones, who came from Elon and played over 700 snaps a year ago.

“Ethan is a guy who has really elevated his leadership over the past couple months,” Walley said. “When he first got here, being new to the program, you kind of want to just do things right. He’s to the point now, he knows he can do everything right, so he is bring guys up with him. He is becoming a big leader on defense.”

Bryan has been a talked-about player in preseason camp. In his first year from Southeast Louisiana, Henderson proved himself capable and should be in the nickel role on early downs. McMillan, a Texas Christian transfer, can fill in on passing downs and at safety.

BOTTOM TIER

Tight ends

TE — Nick Kallerup (390); Jameson Geers (121)

After six seasons, massive Brevyn Spann-Ford has moved on to the NFL and it’s time for others to step up into bigger roles.

Kallerup has already been playing a fair amount in the U’s two-TE formations, but Geers will see an expanded opportunity this season. The Illinois native is more of a pass-catching threat than Wayzata’s Kallerup.

“Whatever the team needed me to do, I’m fine with,” Geers said in July. “… I know I’m obviously seeking a bigger role on the team. I just think it’s a learning experience for me. … Being able to perform when my opportunity calls.”

Wide receivers

WR —Daniel Jackson (758); Kenric Lanier (2)
WR — Elijah Spencer (420); Donielle Hayes (0)
WR — Le’Meke Brockington (226); Cristian Driver (27)

Jackson become a bona fide No. 1 receiver last season, but the top returning secondary options produced little in 2023: Spencer (nine grabs in 11 games) and mostly injured Le’Meke Brockington (five in seven games). Penn State transfer Cristian Driver, the son of former Green Bay Packer Donald Driver, is also in the mix to start.

Harbaugh was asked outside of Jackson which pass catchers he trusts on third down going into the Tar Heels game. He said he trusted “everybody.”

“If they are out there,” he said, “they have a job to do and they have to make a play.”

But the first two players he mentioned by name were Geers and Taylor. He then went on to shout-out Spencer, Brockington and Driver.

Safeties

SS — Darius Green (499); Aidan Gousby (210)
FS — Coleman Bryson (219); Kerry Brown (65)

All-American safety Tyler Nubin, and his 55 games of collegiate experience, put him on the pedestal of being a second-round NFL draft pick. His exit leaves the biggest hole on the Gophers’ roster.

Darius Green has played 24 total games, while Aidan Gousby, Coleman Bryson and Kerry Brown have gotten a taste but are relative newcomers. Competition for both spots might lead to a rotation to start the season.

“I think we have a very good problem at safety,” Walley explained. “We have a lot of guys that can play. I know throughout camp, we have different days where a different guy is stepping up and making more plays than the other ones. I think everyone is having their turn. Really excited to see how it goes back there.”

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