With Drake Lindsey being a redshirt freshman, the clear goal is for him to be the Gophers’ quarterback for years to come.

In his first 10 starts, Lindsey has led comebacks to three Big Ten wins and has gained experience in three hostile conference road environments. His numbers are respectable at 62% completions, 1,881 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, six interceptions and four rushing scores.

Drake Lindsey #5 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers throws a pass during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on Nov. 14, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

The Gophers are investing in him now to reap future  dividends.

The depth chart behind Lindsey is what head coach P.J. Fleck and staff are working on right now. In a departure from bringing in only one quarterbacks in previous recruiting cycles, the Gophers are working to bring in multiple QBs in its 2026 recruiting class.

Since July 2024, Downers Grove, Ill., QB Owen Lansu has been committed to the U’s incoming class. In years past, that would have been it, but now a U priority is to bring in another signal caller before national signing day on Dec. 3.

One target is Lafayette, La., prospect Cole Bergeron. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder has been committed to Virginia Tech since August, but he visited Minnesota this month. Recruiting site 247Sports has given Bergeron a three-star grade of 89, while Lansu also has three-star mark of 86.

The Hokies fired coach Brent Pry in September and replaced him on Monday with former Penn State coach James Franklin. That development could complicate the Gophers’ pursuit of the Bergeron.

But the Gophers are believed to be exploring multiple options for another QB, and that initial deadline is just two weeks.

Reasoning for bringing in two quarterbacks includes cost. Given Lindsey’s development, he will likely get a raise in compensation from the U’s revenue sharing as well as NIL opportunities. And transfer quarterbacks are expensive in the portal, so Minnesota — which doesn’t have deep pockets — wants to lean into development of younger players.

Seeking a backup for the 2025 season, the Gophers brought in transfer Emmitt Morehead from Old Dominion after Georgia Tech transfer Zach Pyron left the U after only spring semester. But Morehead was then beat out for the backup job by walk-on Max Shikenjanski, who again stepped in for Lindsey during the fourth quarter of the 42-13 blowout loss at Oregon on Friday.

Dylan Wittke, a second-year transfer from Virginia Tech, is the third-stringer and has only played in one game — the blowout win over Northwestern (La.) State. So, it would not be surprising if Wittke left the U this winter along with Morehead.

Laguna Beach’s Jackson Kollock looks for a receiver during a season-opening game against St. Margaret in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley / Orange County Register)

Then there is true freshman Jackson Kollock. The three-star product from Laguna Beach, Calif., is redshirting this season and has been running the scout team offense.

Fleck said Kollock has won the Gophers’ scout team player of the week award several times this fall. Fleck credited Kollock for adjusting to a move halfway across the country and adapting to the college game.

“I think he’s done a really good job of that,” Fleck told the Pioneer Press on Monday. “He’s developed a ton since he walked in here. So, really proud of his progress, and would love for him just to continue to stay steadfast on that.”

The Gophers already have a quarterback commitment for its 2027 class: three-star prospect Furian Inferrera from powerhouse Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif. The 6-foot-3 player, who flipped to the U from Boston College, missed most of his junior season with an injury.

Related Articles

Gophers looking forward to playing at Wrigley Field

P.J. Fleck pushed on how Gophers can close gap on Big Ten’s elite programs. ‘Got to get better’

Gophers blown out 42-13 by No. 8 Oregon

Gophers AD Mark Coyle points out inconsistency in Michigan State, Michigan punishments

Gophers running back Darius Taylor in line to return vs. Oregon