CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Gophers football program has added 14 players via the NCAA transfer portal this cycle, but Minnesota is not done bringing in reinforcements for the 2025 season.

Minnesota brought in only three defensive players in December and is still in the market to potentially add a linebacker and cornerback before next season, Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck told the Pioneer Press on Tuesday.

“It all comes down to numbers; it’s not just about adding those guys,” Fleck said. “It’s about numbers in each room.”

The new roster limit of 105 total players on each roster will be in place for the 2025 season, and that comes with goals of a specific numbers of players at each position. Fleck has said he wants eight total running backs and five quarterbacks, but he didn’t share how many cornerbacks or linebackers the U has pegged at those spots for next fall.

The Gophers have added one transfer cornerback — Jaylen Bowden of North Carolina Central — but three seniors are done: outside corners, Justin Walley and Ethan Robinson, as well as starting nickel back Jack Henderson. Gophers nickel Craig McDonald, an alum of Minnehaha Academy, entered the portal during the season.

Minnesota is losing linebacker Cody Lindenberg to the NFL draft process. The Anoka native led Minnesota with 94 total tackles in 12 games in 2024, with fellow linebacker Maverick Baranowski at 59 stops in 10 games. LB Devon Williams added 38 tackles in 12 games.

The Gophers have added two defensive linemen — Steven Curtis (Illinois State) and Rushawn Lawrence (Stony Brook) — and have offered other D-linemen via the portal in the last week.

With the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday, current Gophers players have until next Wednesday to enter the portal in this window.

The NCAA transfer portal remains open for commitments from other schools, and another window will be open in April.

Ins and Outs

Position — Incoming player (previous school)

WR — Malachi Coleman (Nebraska)
RB — A.J. Turner (Marshall)
OL — Marcellus Marshall (Central Florida)
OL — Dylan Ray (Kentucky)
OL — Kahle Tafai (Washington)
DL — Steven Curtis (Illinois State)
WR — Javon Tracy (Miami of Ohio)
TE — Drew Biber (Purdue)
WR — Logan Loya (UCLA)
QB — Zach Pyron (Georgia Tech)
CB — Jaylen Bowden (N.C. Central)
DL — Rushawn Lawrence (Stony Brook)
RB — Cameron Davis (Washington)
K — Brady Denaburg (Syracuse)

Position — Outgoing player (new school) 

WR — T.J. McWilliams (Louisville)
OL — Phillip Daniels (Ohio State)
WR — Kristen Hoskins
LB — Tyler Stolsky (Florida Atlantic)
RB — Jordan Nubin (Kent State)
S — Craig McDonald
RB — Sieh Bangura (Ohio)
DL — Hayden Schwartz
DL — Luther McCoy
RB — Zander Rockow (St. Thomas)

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