This past weekend was a bountiful time for Gophers Football head coach P.J. Fleck and his team. As part of their “Summer Splash” recruiting weekend. Minnesota brought in 26 committed and uncommitted high school recruits for an inside look at what it means to be part of the Minnesota football program. The recruits had the opportunity to meet with the coaching staff, tour the team’s facilities, solidify relationships, and experience a true taste of the Gophers’ culture.
And judging by the results, coach Fleck had to deem it a successful weekend. By the end of Sunday, the Gophers had added five more commitments to their 2026 recruiting class. These include student-athletes who have taken an official campus visit and have made an oral commitment to the University. With these recruits, Minnesota’s class now has 15 total pledges for next season. The Gophers are currently ranked 16th nationally and fifth among Big Ten teams in the 247Sports composite ratings for the 2026 class.
New 2026 Gophers Football Recruits
Following are the newest recruits of the 2026 Minnesota Gophers Football 2026 recruiting class:
Mataalii Benjamin, 6-foot-6, 305, tackle, Lehi, Utah
Benjamin picked Minnesota over more than 15 offers, including Nebraska, Utah, Oklahoma State, and Washington. The three-star prospect from Lehi (Utah) High School is the second commit from Utah (ninth-ranked state prospect), uncharted territory for the Gophers’ recruiting. Benjamin is the 51st-ranked tackle nationally in the 247Sports composite. He had other visits planned with Nebraska, Arkansas, and Utah.
Daniel McMorris, 6-5, 255, tackle, Norman, Okla
McMorris chose the Gophers over more than 20 offers, including those from Wisconsin, Kansas State, Iowa State, Stanford, and Oregon State. Minnesota offered McMorris a scholarship last October, and he made an unofficial visit to the campus in April. The three-star prospect out of Norman (Okla.) North High School was scheduled to visit K-State and ISU. He’s the sixth-ranked player in Oklahoma and the 40th-ranked tackle nationally in the 247Sports composite.
Angel Luciano III, 6-3, 225, linebacker, Harrisburg, Pa
Luciano took Minnesota over other Big Ten competitors, including Michigan State, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Maryland, as well as Cincinnati and Virginia Tech. He is the 36th-ranked player in Pennsylvania and the 100th-ranked linebacker nationally. He received an offer from the Gophers in January and made an unofficial visit to campus in April. He was planning to visit the Spartans and Bearcats soon. The three-star recruit out of Steelton-Highspire High School near Harrisburg, PA, is the second linebacker in the 2026 class, joining Hudson Dunn of Peoria, Ariz.
Aaden Aytch, 6-4 and 220, edge rusher, Lafayette, Ind
He verbally committed to Northern Illinois but decommitted and flipped his commitment to the Gophers. He’s the 14th-ranked player in Indiana and 85th-ranked edge rusher nationally, according to 247Sports. The three-star defensive end who played at Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Ind, with a 6-7 wingspan, pledged to Minnesota before scheduled visits at Iowa, Kentucky, Purdue, and Michigan State later in June.
Anthony Charles, 6-5, 200, edge rusher, McDonald, Pa
He picked the Gophers over offers from Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Michigan State. Charles is a three-star recruit from South Fayette Township High School in McDonald, Pa. He is ranked 22nd among Pennsylvania recruits and 64th nationally at his position. His wingspan measured at almost 7 feet. Charles had visits scheduled with the Badgers, Nittany Lions, and Toledo before committing to the U while on campus this weekend.
What’s Next
The second “Summer Slam” recruiting weekend is scheduled for June 13-15. Coach Fleck and his staff are famous for landing the majority of their recruits during the spring or early summer. With Minnesota’s weather more cooperative at that time of year, there is a chance to share more outdoor activities with them, such as boat rides on Lake Minnetonka.
