Gophers coach P.J. Fleck knows his team needs to be more explosive in the passing game next season and he and his staff worked to address that within the 2026 recruiting class.

“We’ve got to be able to stretch the field vertically more — we do,” Fleck said Wednesday.

Minnesota was tied for 118th in the nation with only 10 passing plays of more than 30 yards last season, and Fleck even involved to-be redshirt sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey in the roster-building process going into next fall.

“In the past, you never really involved your quarterback as much in the recruiting process, talking to him about what’s going on, what your plans are,” Fleck said. “But Drake and I talk about these things all the time. It feels more like an NFL conversation about roster building around the quarterback because I like him to have input. I really do.”

The Gophers’ 31-member recruiting class for 2026, which became official with signatures on Wednesday morning, has a few candidates who might provide immediate help next season.

“We’re going to have to be able to open it up more,” Fleck said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a transfer, if you’re a sophomore, or you’re a junior, or you’re a freshman player. … (If) you can stretch the field and run away from people and create separation, we’re going to play (you), get you on the field, and that’s where we’re working towards next year’s offense.”

Here are three top candidates to provide an instant impact to the Gophers’ offense next fall.

Roman Voss

Four-star tight end from Jackson County Central will get an opportunity to step right in, especially with the departures of three veteran tight ends, including top pass catcher Jameson Geers.

Voss (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) mostly played quarterback for a small school in the southwest corner of Minnesota and stacked up more than 10,000 total yards and 131 touchdowns on back-to-back state title teams. “You talk about a young man who is going to walk in here and help us,” Fleck said.

And Fleck has backed that up by playing previous top-ranked in-state recruits the last two years: linebacker Emmanuel Karmo (2025) and safety Koi Perich (2024).

Ryan Estrada

The four-star running back broke current Vikings tailback Aaron Jones’ high school rushing records in El Paso, Texas. Listed at 5-9 and 195 pounds, Estrada put up 7,633 career yards and an average of 12 yards per carry.

“Maybe one of the most electric players in the country, in my opinion,” Fleck said. “Once he gets here in June, we’re going to just start handing him the football and get him going that way.”

Braiden Stevens

The three-star recruit from Platte Cit, Mo., might be the fastest player in the U’s incoming class, with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and a sub-10.4-second 100-meter dash. The 5-8, 165-pound receiver could also contribute as a return man on special teams.

“He’s got big time, world-class speed, dynamic with the ball in his hands,” Fleck said. “And we’re talking all different types of way to get the ball in this kid’s hands, because he is fast, fast.”

Developing options

The Gophers’ enormous class size means they also will be developing a bigger group of skill-position players.

Besides Voss, the tight ends are Gabe Weaver from St. Louis and George Rohl from Ellsworth, Wis.,

Outside of Estrada, the running backs are Zeke Bates from Malvern, Pa., and Niko Castillo from Schuylkill Haven, Pa.

Beyond Steves, there are four other incoming receivers: Quayd Hendryx, Atco, N.J.; Hayden Moore, Newberry, Fla.; Rico Blassingame, Tolleson, Ariz.; and Josiah Dozier, Moody, Ala. Dozier was a signing-day surprise addition after he flipped from his commitment to South Florida.

“I’m not saying everybody’s gonna be ready to play,” Fleck said. “But we need one to two of those guys to be ready.”

One thing that might hinder Voss, Estrada and Stevens from contributing right away is all three will join the program in June, meaning they won’t be a part of winter strength and conditioning workouts nor spring practices. Blassingame, Bates and Moore and the three skill-positon players joining the U for spring semester in January.

Returning weapons

The Gophers are losing their No. 1 receiver, senior Le’Meke Brockington, but No. 3 wideout Jalen Smith said Tuesday he is coming back for next season.

No. 2 wideout Javon Tracy, who has a team-high six touchdowns, has a second season of eligibility after transferring from Miami (Ohio) last spring. Fleck also mentioned Nuke Hayes as a returning option, while Malachi Coleman, Kenric Lane and Koi Perich might also factor into future plans.

Besides top rusher Darius Taylor and Fame Ijeboi, Fleck indicated tailback A.J. Turner is coming back for 2026. The Marshall transfer suffered a season-ending knee injury against California in September.

“I don’t think a lot of people got to see how good A.J. Turner really is, especially at the outside zone play,” Fleck said. “He’s one of the best outside zone runners that I’ve had.”

Briefly

Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College defensive lineman KJ Benson de-committed from the Gophers on Wednesday. Three players from Hutch committed to the Gophers this fall and all three changed their minds. Receiver Derrick Salley and safety Michael Graham both signed with Kansas State on Wednesday.

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