The Gophers continued to added to its safety room after the departure of Koi Perich with Lehigh transfer Mekhai Smith coming on board on Tuesday.

“Committed!! Let’s get to work. RTB!!” Smith said on X on Tuesday.

Smith, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, has two seasons of eligibility left for Minnesota.

Last season, he produced 56 tackles, four interceptions, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble in 13 games in the FCS-level Patriot League. He had 40 tackles and no picks in 13 games in 2024.

Smith made huge strides year-over-year, with his Pro Football Focus overall grade increasing from 55.2 in 2024 to 89.8 last fall. He played 294 snaps two years ago and that ballooned to 613 last fall.

Smith, of Lower Merion, Pa., is the 11th addition to the Gophers transfer portal class since Friday. He is the second safety addition after Southwest Minnesota State’s Parker Knutson committed on Monday.

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