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U Football Commits Include 4 O-Tackles in National Top 50

Posted on June 2, 2025June 2, 2025 by David Shama

The Golden Gophers picked up five more verbal commitments over the weekend for their 2026 football recruiting class, per various media. Notably, two of those players are offensive tackles, giving Minnesota four verbal commits at that position in their 15-player class so far that eventually is expected to total at least in the low 20s.

The Gophers’ four commits are all ranked in the top 50 nationally among offensive tackles by 247Sports. Andrew Trout, a four-star recruit from Cold Spring, Minnesota, is ranked No. 23; Daniel McMorris, from Norman, Oklahoma, is No. 29; Gavin Meier, Janesville, Wisconsin, No. 44; and Mataalii Benjamin, Lehi, Utah, No 45.

Two years ago, Minnesota received commitments from and later signed two prize high school offensive tackles. Nathan Roy, from Mukwonago, Wisconsin and Brett Carroll, from Olathe, Kansas, were ranked No. 11 and 21 respectively among the best prep tackles by 247Sports.

Both project as second teamers going into fall camp for the Gophers, with Roy at tackle and Carroll playing center.

Offensive tackle is a key position in college football. The Gophers have recruiting success at the position because of their coaching staff including offensive line coach Brian Callahan who has a quality reputation and has been with head coach P.J. Fleck since he came to Minnesota in 2017. Callahan’s standouts include former NFL draft choices Daniel Faalele and John Michael Schmitz.

The Gophers will have an exceptional offensive tackle roster in the class of 2026 if all of the players keep their commitments. Ironically, Benjamin, a under the radar commit, could end up having the best college career of the Gopher four-some.

Over the recruiting weekend, the Gophers also received verbal commitments from two edge rushers in Aayen Aytch, edge rusher from Lafayette, Indiana; and Anthony Charles, from McDonald, Pennsylvania; along with linebacker Angel Luciano of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, per 247Sports.

Historically, June is a busy month for the Gophers and other college programs to pick up verbal commitments. Minnesota’s 2026 class is currently ranked No. 18 in the team recruiting rankings by 247Sports.

The class is led by two four-star recruits, Trout and defensive lineman Howie Johnson from Forest Lake. They are the state of Minnesota’s No. 3 and No. 2 ranked players by 247Sports which has Jackson’s Roman Voss at No. 1.

Voss, projecting as a tight end in college, reportedly attended last weekend’s Gopher Summer Splash recruiting event but remains uncommitted. GopherIllustrated and 247Sports recruiting authority Ryan Burns told Sports Headliners recently that Voss is expected to commit to the Gophers or Alabama.

Dodge Center athlete Pierce Petersohn, who could be a college linebacker, is a possibility for the Gophers and is ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the state. Offensive tackle Owen Linder from Chanhassen is No. 5 and verbally committed to Iowa. “Minnesota chose not to go on him at any point,” Burns said.

Jayden Moore, a wide receiver from Hopkins, is ranked No. 6 among state prospects. “…I am going to guess he’s going to play basketball in college so this is going to be a moot point (regarding a college football destination),” Burns said.

Chanhassen tight end Kade Bush and Minnetonka running back Caleb Francois, are No. 7 and 8 respectively. Bush has verbally committed to Arkansas and Francois to Iowa State. Burns said the Gophers didn’t pursue either of them.

Fleck and the Gophers have landed the top high school recruit in Minnesota in three of the four previous years: Eden Prairie defensive lineman Trey Bixby (2022), Esko athlete Koi Perich (2024), and Robbinsdale Cooper linebacker Emmanuel Karmo (2025).

Worth Noting

ESPN pro football analyst Bill Barnwell is impressed with the Vikings offseason personnel additions on the offensive and defensive lines. After evaluating NFC teams, he wrote recently of the Vikings: “Most likely to flex on the line of scrimmage.”

Aaron Judge of the Yankees is hitting a gaudy .391. Former Twin Luis Arraez was hitting over .400 in June two years ago for the Marlins before finishing at .354. Ted Williams, who played minor league baseball in Minneapolis, was the last MLB .400 hitter. The Red Sox immortal had a .406 average in 1941.

Royce Lewis, who looked like the Twins best hitter for the next five years 12 months ago, is hitting an unfathomable .127.

New Golden Gophers men’s basketball coach Niko Medved makes his first appearance in front of the Twin Cities Dunkers on June 18.

Medved announced this morning former North Carolina guard-forward Cade Tyson is joining his program. The 6-7 Tyson played at Belmont earlier in his college career. At Belmont he was second team All-Missouri Valley Conference in 2024 and ranked second nationally in three point percentage at 46.5 percent.

“Cade is a versatile player that will immediately impact our team,” Medved said in a statement. “He’s a dynamic scorer, a true playmaker and a great rebounder. Cade is a terrific addition to our program and we can’t wait for him to be a Gopher.”

At North Carolina last season he played in 31 games, averaging eight minutes and 2.6 points. Tyson will presumably have one season of eligibility at Minnesota.

Happy birthday to hockey icon Lou Nanne who celebrates his 84^th birthday today.

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U Football Start Times Official, Includes Party Time Kickoffs

Posted on May 29, 2025May 29, 2025 by David Shama

Haters of 11 a.m. starts for Golden Gophers home football games received good news today when the Big Ten Conference and its TV partners announced start times for six of the University of Minnesota’s 12 games in 2025.

Dreaded by students and others who like to sleep late on Saturdays, the anti-11 a.m. crowd will have to accept the nonconference Northwestern State home game on September 6 (BTN televising). Otherwise, night owls and party animals can revel in five night games for the Gophers, with three at home and two on the road. The start times for the six remaining Gophers games on the schedule will be announced later.

Minnesota opens the season at home Thursday, August 28 against Buffalo. The 7 p.m. kickoff nonconference game will be televised by FS1.

The final nonconference game will be on Saturday, September 13 at the University of California. Start time is 9:30 p.m. in Minneapolis and local fans can watch on ESPN.

Minnesota’s Homecoming game against Purdue on Saturday, October 11 will start at either 6 or 6:30 p.m. The TV partner will be announced later.

The Gophers host Nebraska at 7 p.m. on October 17, a rare Friday night home game. They play at Oregon on another Friday night, November 14, with an 8 p.m. kickoff. Both games will be televised by Fox.

Gophers-Badgers 2021 game at Huntington Bank Stadium photo by Marshall Tanick

Minnesota’s other six games are Rutgers, September 27 at home; October 4 at Ohio State; October 25 at Iowa; November 1 Michigan State at home; November 22 at Northwestern; November 29 Wisconsin at home. All dates are Saturdays.

Home games at night generally draw better than day games, unless arctic temps prevail. That will be a needed boost for home attendance because the Huntington Bank Stadium schedule of opponents is so-so.

Buffalo and Northwestern State are box office duds. Purdue will draw because it’s Homecoming and a night game. Nebraska, with Husker fans likely descending in droves, could produce the largest crowd of the season (possible sellout of 50,805) at Huntington Bank Stadium. The Michigan State and Wisconsin games will draw if the Gophers are producing a top 25 season. Even if they aren’t, the Wisconsin game may lure a lot of Badgers fans if their favorites have reverted back to winning football.

There’s real sizzle with the road schedule for fans who want to travel. All five destinations are attractive including West Coast trips to the Bay Area (Cal) and Eugene (first time at Oregon), plus border rival Iowa, Northwestern (at Wrigley Field) and defending national champion Ohio State.

Worth Noting

The NFL announced its preseason schedule today including for the Vikings. Minnesota will host the Texans at 3 p.m. Saturday, August 9 and the Patriots at noon on Saturday, August 16. The Vikings will play at the Titans on Friday, August 22 at 7 p.m.

The Vikings are partnering with the Minnesota Star Tribune to promote high school girls flag football throughout the state. The state’s first high school girls flag football league, supported through a $600,000 contribution from the Vikings, enters playoff competition next week.

The Timberwolves lost in five games to the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. The prediction here before the series was Minnesota would lose in six, but OKC is even better than many of us thought.

During the last two springs the Wolves have proven they’re one of the better teams in the NBA but not elite enough to make the Finals or rank among the best. Biggest needs? Better defense from more players and clutch scoring (which in playoff games can include producing points in the first quarter).

It appeared during the playoffs that Anthony Edwards was gassed late in at least some games. It certainly wouldn’t be surprising if a revised nutrition and conditioning program materializes in the offseason.

Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren, 23, has emerged as a star for the Thunder. He could become a superstar with his scoring, rebounding and shot blocking, if his rail thin body avoids injuries. Holmgren is listed at 7-1, 208 pounds.

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Twins Legend Tony Oliva Upbeat about Stroke Recovery

Posted on May 18, 2025 by David Shama

It was about a month ago that Tony Oliva had the last of his mini strokes. Reached by telephone at his Minneapolis area home Saturday, the 86-year-old Twins legend talked about his recovery and said he’s never slept so much in his life.

“I stay at home, take a lot of rest,” the National Baseball Hall of Famer said.

Other than doctor appointments, Oliva is at home these days with his wife Gordette. Suddenly hit by the strokes, Oliva was surprised by his misfortune. He has endured a troublesome back for years but otherwise stayed healthy with regular workouts at the gym. “These things will happen, you know,” said Oliva whose thousands of fans are wishing him the best in his recovery.

The stroke saga included five days in the hospital. While he can walk okay, and his speech is clear, his vision has been compromised.

Oliva’s days at home have a familiar routine. He gets up and soon engages in activities that include breakfast, taking his medicine, reading the Bible and looking at the newspaper.

Family have been generous with their time by travelling from near and far to support him and Gordette. The presence of relatives has been coupled with an outpouring of well wishes from the public. Oliva is uplifted by the thoughtfulness of those he knows and by strangers.

He has long been an admirer of Minnesotans, choosing to live his post-baseball career in the Twin Cities. Saturday, he referred to the “best fans in the world and the best town in the world.”

There was no sorrow, or “woe is me” in Oliva’s voice during the phone conversation. “Everything could be worse, you know, what I mean.”

A poor teenager who came out of Communist Cuba in the late 1950s, Oliva persevered all the way to Cooperstown in 2022. He was an American League All-Star for eight consecutive seasons from 1964-1971. A .304 lifetime hitter, he was a three-time batting champion with the Twins over 15 seasons.

Worth Noting

Oliva has been delighted by the Twins’ winning ways. The club has won 13 straight including a win over the Brewers in Milwaukee on Saturday night. It’s the longest Twins streak since the 1991 World Series season when the club won 15 in a row.

The success has been remarkable given the team’s slow start to the season and persistent injuries. Regarding club health, MLB.Com/news posted this yesterday morning:

“Of the nine position players who were in the Opening Day lineup for Minnesota, only one – (Ty) France at first base — finished Friday night’s game in the same spot as he was on that March 27 afternoon in St. Louis. Only three players from that lineup were even in the game at the end of Friday night. … Minnesota has taken a remarkable number of hits and just continues winning.”

It’s not even summer, but already you might hear Vikings fans saying all they want for Christmas is to see their favorites playing for the NFC North Division title on December 25. The preseason division favorite Lions are in town that date and it’s about time Santa is nice to the Vikings who are 1-3 on Christmas Day games, with the most recent loss to the Saints in 2020 in New Orleans.

Retired Golden Gophers baseball coach John Anderson turned 70 last Friday. The legendary leader texted a well-wisher that his birthday weekend included a Saturday night dinner with former players (they revere him). Happy Birthday to No. 14!

Paige Bueckers returns to Minnesota for the first time as a pro Wednesday night when her WNBA Dallas Wings play the Lynx at Target Center. The former Hopkins High School icon made her regular season professional debut Friday evening, scoring 10 points in a 99-84 home loss to the Lynx.

The fact the 6-foot guard led the Wings in rebounding with seven didn’t surprise Brian Cosgriff, her prep coach at Hopkins. “Nothing surprises me when it comes to her,” he told Sports Headliners.

Bueckers’ talent and basketball instincts will make her a star in the WNBA, Cosgriff predicted. He remains in touch with the Bueckers family, including texts with Paige. Her father, Bob Bueckers, sends him merchandise like Nike t-shirts and UConn sweatshirts.

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