The Minnesota Gophers, led by P.J. Fleck, are celebrating a strong recruiting week with six new 2026 commits. This is the largest recruiting class during Fleck’s tenure with the Gophers. Currently ranked 29th nationally, it is also Fleck’s highest-ranked class in his nine years at Minnesota.
Four recruits switched from other programs to join the Gophers. The prize recruit this week was Phoenix offensive lineman Aaron Thomas, a top 50 ranked offensive tackle. He decommitted from Ohio State on Nov. 3 to sign with Minnesota. The Gophers also added a JUCO safety and defensive tackle, both expected to contribute immediately. Here are the new recruits.
Gophers New 2026 Recruits
Aaron Thomas, OT, Phoenix, AZ
The Gophers aggressively pursued Thomas before he committed to the Buckeyes. This top five player from Arizona has the size and attitude to be a successful collegiate athlete. Standing 6 feet 7 and weighing in at 300 pounds, the former defensive lineman is also very agile and combines these traits with excellent footwork and tremendous balance. He has some technique issues to work on, but he has already shown the ability to make blocks at the next level.
Beckett Schreiber, OL, Madison, WI
After decommitting from Washington State, Schreiber attracted heavy recruiting efforts from Indiana as well. Tenacious and aggressive, he projects as a collegiate guard. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, he moves fluidly and could become a strong pulling guard and trap blocker for the Gophers. To become an every-down Big-10 Conference offensive lineman, he’ll need to get stronger.
Braiden Stevens, WR, Platte County, MO
Stevens hails from Platte County High School in Platte City, Mo., and originally committed to South Dakota State before receiving several scholarship offers this fall. Smallish at 5 feet 8 and 165 pounds, he possesses great speed and agility. So far this season, he has 31 catches for 702 yards and 13 touchdown receptions. As a track star, he finished in fifth in the 100-meter dash at the Missouri State Track Tournament meet as a junior.
Jett Walker, RB, Georgetown, TX
Originally a West Virginia recruit, Walker ranks as one of the top running backs in the country. As a junior, he rushed for 2,348 yards and accumulated 38 total touchdowns. At 6 feet 2 and 215 pounds, he’s a bruising back who should be a great fit in the Gophers run-oriented offense. He joins El Paso, Texas, standout Ryan Estrada and Malvern, Pennsylvania, star Ezekiel Bates as running back commits in Minnesota’s 2026 class.
And the JUCO Recruits
Yesterday, the Gophers added Hutchinson Community College safety Michael Graham to their list of 2026 commits. They beat out Michigan State and several other schools for Graham’s services. A quarterback at Westmoore High School in Oklahoma City, he has tallied 22 tackles and four interceptions for his JUCO team in 2025.
And today, the Gophers announced a commitment from Graham’s Hutchinson Community College teammate, defensive tackle KJ Henson. Born and raised in Glen Burnie, MD, Henson is an interior line disruptor who has five sacks already this season. With Minnesota starters Jalen Logan-Redding and Deven Eastern set to graduate in the Spring, the timing of Henson’s arrival to Dinkytown could not be timed better.
Summary and Look Ahead
These prospects join 24 others to complete Minnesota’s talented and versatile 2026 class. With four-star recruits Roman Voss, Howie Johnson, and Andrew Trout leading the way, coach Fleck gains fresh talent as Minnesota pushes for the Big-10’s upper tier.
