The Gophers need help along the offensive line going into the 2026 season and started to address it with the commitment of Tennessee transfer Bennett Warren on Sunday.

The 6-foot-7, 325-pounder was a big-time recruit from Houston, and he played 13 total games of the Volunteers last season, including 76 snaps across five games at right and left tackle.

Warren will have three years of eligibility remaining at Minnesota.

The Gophers right tackle in 2025, Kentucky transfer Dylan Ray, is out of eligibility, and the program returns the four other lineman who ended the year as starters: left tackle Nathan Roy, left guard Greg Johnson, center Ashton Beers and right guard Tony Nelson.

Warren figures to be a candidate to play next fall at the right tackle spot.

Warren was a four-star recruit and top 80 prospect in the nation in the 2024 class. As a true freshman, he played 40 snaps on offense and non five total games as a true freshman with the Vols.

Since the portal opened Friday, Warren is the third incoming transfer for the 2026 season, including North Carolina and Liberty quarterback Michael Merdinger and Purdue running back Jaron Thomas. Those two committed to Minnesota on Friday.

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