TThere is an abundance of news to share on the Minnesota Gophers Football team. The transfer portal closed on Jan. 16, so it’s time to review some of the incoming talent for next season. There have been several coaching changes as head coach P.J. Fleck has reshuffled his assistant coaching staff. And we just received our first look at Minnesota’s opponents for the 2006-27 season.

The Gophers approach the upcoming season with revamped offensive and defensive line units, and some major changes to their receiving corps. Of course, all eyes are on how Minnesota handles the loss of All-American safety Koi Perich, who transferred to Oregon. And their strength of schedule has risen this season as they square off against some of the Big Ten’s finest.

Gophers Transfer Portal Additions

The Gophers added 19 players through the transfer portal this month:

• QB Michael Merdinger – Liberty
• RB Jaron Thomas – Purdue
• RB T.J. Thomas – Elon
• WR Perry Thompson – Auburn
• WR Zion Steptoe – Tulsa
• WR Noah Jennings – Cincinnati
• TE Kaden Helms – Oklahoma
• OT Bennett Warren – Tennessee
• DT Xion Chapman – FIU
• DT Naquan Crowder – Marshall
• DT Sid Kaba – Marshall
• EDGE TJ Bush – Cal
• LB Andrew Marshall – Eastern Michigan
• CB Aydan West – Michigan State
• S Elisha West – Michigan State
• S Mekhai Smith – Lehigh
• S Parker Knutson – Southwest Minnesota State
• K Beckham Sunderland – Michigan
• P Zachary Robbins – Utah State

Best of the Incoming Transfers

1. TJ Bush, Defensive End, California: The consensus number one pickup for the Gophers this off-season was Bush, the veteran defensive end from Cal. This 6-foot-3, 265-pound aggressive pass rusher should pair nicely with returnees Anthony Smith, Karter Menz, and Jaxon Howard. In 2005, he totaled 39 pressures, 26 hurries, (26), and 5.5 sacks. Minnesota had an up-close-and-personal look at Bush last season in its game against the Golden Bears. In that contest, he tallied 4 pressures, three tackles, and one sack.
2. Naquan Crowder, Defensive Tackle, Marshall: With the exit of senior Jalen Logan-Redding and Deven Eastern and their principal backups, the Gophers were in dire need of replacements along their defensive front. The wide-bodied nose tackle Crowder is a serious run stopper, and his physical presence is what Minnesota needs in the middle. He should walk right into a starting role in defensive coordinator Danny Colins’ revamped defense.
3. Aydan West, Cornerback, Michigan State: With Za’Quan Bryan and Jaylen Bowden transferring, and Jai’Onte McMillan graduating, the Gophers are very thin at this position. West got ample playing time as a freshman; pairing him with returning starter John Nestor should give Minnesota two solid corners. If they move West to the nickel position on passing downs, the Gophers could deploy Aidan Gousby or Mike Gerald at the other outside spot.
4. Perry Thompson, Wide Receiver, Auburn: The Gophers’ receiving unit was hit hard by transfers and graduation, and there is a pronounced need to restock the position. The speedy and physical Thompson could be a lethal target for Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey going forward. The Gophers hope that he can fill the third receiver role opposite Jalen Smith and Javon Tracy.
5. 5. Bennett Warren, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee: The right side of the Gophers’ offensive line struggled throughout the entire 2025-26 season. Warren is a former four-star recruit, and the expectations are that he will step into the starting right tackle position. With three years of eligibility remaining, coach Fleck hopes that the big man from Houston can solidify a position that has seen great change over the past few seasons.

Gophers Coaching Carousel

This offseason has seen a great upheaval in the Gophers’ assistant coaching ranks. C.J. Robbins, who was Minnesota’s rush ends coach in 2025, was named defensive line coach. Daniel Da Prato comes over from New Mexico to join Fleck’s staff as the team’s new special teams coordinator. Fleck also announced that Bobby April III was hired to succeed Robbins as the rush ends coach.

Minnesota alum Isaac Fruechte was hired as the new wide receivers coach after serving as North Dakota’s offensive coordinator the past two seasons. Former All-Big Ten Gophers back Mo Ibrahim returns to his alma mater to coach the running backs.

Former Minnesota assistant coach Matt Limegrover has been hired as the team’s assistant defensive Line coach. Former Charlotte safeties coach Bryan Nardo was named senior defensive assistant, and Caleb Richardson was promoted from his volunteer coaching position to step in as the new offensive line assistant.

2026-27 Schedule

The Minnesota Gophers’ opponents for the 2026-27 season.

Home: Eastern Illinois, Mississippi State, Akron, Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern, UCLA

Away: Indiana, Penn State, Purdue, Washington, Wisconsin

The entire Big Ten football schedule for the 2026 season will be released on Tuesday, Jan. 27, according to league sources.