Gophers Football coach P.J. Fleck’s “Summer Splash” recruiting weekends have been a monumental success. Already in June, coach Fleck has added 13 recruits to Minnesota’s 2026 class, bringing the total amount of pledges for that year to 22. Recruiting services have the Gophers class ranked 13 nationally and seventh in the Big Ten.
Included in this fresh batch of commitments is four-star recruit defensive lineman Howie Johnson from Forest Lake, MN. Johnson is currently the second-ranked player in the State of Minnesota’s 2026 class. His commitment is Fleck’s second four-star recruit in the 2026 class. Rocori, Minnesota, offensive tackle Andrew Trout committed to Minnesota this past January. Trout is the third-ranked Minnesota prospect in the class. Here’s a look at the latest batch of Gopher recruits.
Fleck’s June Recruits
Howie Johnson, DT, Forest Lake High School-MN (6-3 / 255)
After last night’s excellent performance at Minnesota’s Football camp, Johnson accepted the Gophers’ scholarship offer on the spot. He projects as a college defensive tackle who possesses a nice combination of strength and quickness. His lethal hands should aid him as he develops as a pass rusher.
Daniel McMorris, OT, Norman North High School-OK (6-5 / 255)
A developing offensive tackle prospect, McMorris is very athletic and, plays with a wide base and moves well laterally. A hard worker who will need to bulk up and get stronger for the long haul. A bit of a development project for coach Fleck but has exhibited an exceptional work ethic.
Mataalii Benjamin, OT, Lehi High School-UT (6-7 / 315)
Mataalii Benjamin has a strong point of attack and plays with a solid base, which helps him defeat powerful defensive linemen. He has great length and exceptional footwork, and he plays with a mean streak. He is still developing, but with his frame, he has room to add girth and mass.
Ryan Estrada, RB, El Dorado High School-El Paso, TX (5-9 / 195)
Fleck’s latest commitment, Estrada, rushed for 2,400 yards with 32 touchdowns while averaging 13 yards a carry in his junior season. He has speed to burn but also has the ability to break tackles. He was recruited by a multitude of schools, including Michigan, Alabama, and Oklahoma. Along with Ezekiel Bates, a talented runner out of Pennsylvania, the Gophers will have a lethal backfield heading into the 2026 season.
Gabe Weaver, TE, Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day High School-MO (6-5 / 215)
Weaver had 40 catches for 670 yards and seven touchdowns last season as a junior. A talented multi-sport athlete who also competes in basketball and track and field, Weaver is very athletic and has a large catch radius. He possesses the big-play ability and acquits himself well on contested balls. His growing edge will be becoming a physical blocker, which Fleck demands out of his tight ends.
Angel Luciano, LB, Steelton-Highspire High School-PA, (6-3 / 220)
Versatile athlete who can play middle or outside linebacker or defensive end. Luciano has excellent field vision and has improved his ability to read offensive schemes. He will need to build up his strength and improve his technique for shedding blockers, as well as refine his pass coverage skills.
Anthony Charles, Edge, South Fayette Township High School-McDonald, PA, (6-5 / 196)
Charles is a big, strong athlete with a giant wingspan. He excelled on the field last season, totaling 28 tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles. He also recorded 15 quarterback pressures and blocked an extra point and a field goal. Disruptive player with a motor that doesn’t stop. He needs to add strength and size to compete in the Big Ten.
Jordan Lampkins, S, Bolingbrook High School-IL, (6-0 / 180)
Last season as a junior, Lampkins recorded 51 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and one interception. He battled injuries during the season, but now he’ll look to prepare for college play with a big senior campaign. He could provide Fleck with some depth or a possible replacement for All-American safety Koi Perich.
Chance Payne, CB, Jefferson High School-GA, (5-10 / 175)
A late bloomer, Payne is a very physical corner who plays the ball well and is not afraid to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage. His heightened instincts help make him a disruptive force when contesting passes. He projects as a speedy outside cornerback but has the skills to play nickel if the need arises.
Aaden Aytch, Edge, Jefferson High School-Lafayette, IN, (6-4 / 230)
Aytch had 87 tackles, including 14 tackles for a loss and five sacks in the 2024 season. A very physical player who can squat 425 pounds and run a 4.71 40-yard dash. Regarding his signing with Minnesota, Aytch said. “They have a lot of resources to win, but they also make you a better man in the process. I have high respect for P.J. Fleck.”
Lucas Tielsch, OT, Copley High School-Akron, OH (6-7 / 320)
Last season, Tielsch logged 26 pancake blocks and led Copley to its first true postseason berth since 2016. The hardworking Akron talent is another addition to coach Fleck’s strong offensive line commitments for 2026. The physical tackle already has the girth to be competitive at the next level. With some fine-tuning of his technique, he could be an intimidating “road grader” for the Gophers.
Josiah Anyansi, DL, Murrieta Valley High School-CA, (6-3 / 260)
Anyansi recorded 45 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and forced two fumbles last season. His quick first step makes him a disruptive edge rusher, although he can play all across the line. He combines size, quickness, and advanced technique, and he has a motor that doesn’t stop.
Jeremiah Benson, DL, West Bloomfield High School-MI, (6-3 / 265)
Benson is ranked as the No. 2 defensive lineman in Michigan. He verbally committed to Northern Illinois in Feb. but decommitted from the school in May. He projects as a three-technique defensive tackle, but if he adds more weight and strength to his frame, he could find a home as a one-technique space-eater.
The Road Ahead
Coach Fleck will seek additional talent to supplement this already impressive group. His rankings will rise if two four-star in-state recruits choose Minnesota as their college destination. Number one-ranked Minnesotan Jackson County Central tight end Roman Voss and number four-ranked Triton athlete Pierce Petersohn, both officially visited the Gophers in May but have yet to make their next-level choices.
Voss visited Alabama this past weekend, and Petersohn is scheduled to visit Penn State tomorrow. Should the Gophers land both players, they will have received commitments from the state’s top four high school players in the 2026 class, including number two-ranked Johnson and number three-ranked Trout.
