Drake Lindsey, the presumptive starter as the Golden Gophers quarterback for the August 28 opening game against Buffalo, certainly doesn’t lack motivation. Big-time college football players always talk about excelling and being elite, but there’s something more involved with Lindsey—the redshirt freshman from Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Lindsey told KFAN Radio this morning it was a “slap in the face” that he wasn’t recruited by his hometown Arkansas Razorbacks. Lindsey grew up dreaming of playing for the Hogs. His high school is located a short walk to the Arkansas campus. He comes from a family of Arkansas alums.
Yet it was head coach P.J. Fleck and assistant coach Greg Harbaugh Jr. who committed early to Lindsey and made him feel wanted at Minnesota. Lindsey said he will use the Arkansas snub to push himself.
Lindsey told the radio audience he’s excited about his college choice and sees his destination as something meant to be. He also knows being a first-year starter will be challenging after playing only limited minutes last season as Max Brosmer’s backup.
Brosmer was an acclaimed leader and accomplished player who is now trying to make the Vikings roster. Lindsey, who describes himself as more extroverted than Brosmer, learned a lot from last year’s star QB.
Lindsey said at a media gathering this morning it was a “blessing to have that guy,” praising how Brosmer led the team, performed and put such effort into preparation. Lindsey doesn’t think anybody in the country “prepared like Max.”
Lindsey said back in January he was trying to act like Brosmer but since then has learned to be himself. He has impressed teammates with his development.
Defensive end and upper classman Anthony Smith believes Lindsey has “really stepped his game up” as the months have gone by. “On the field I think he’s an awesome leader,” Smith said.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Lindsey came on strong his senior season and led Fayetteville High School to a 13-0 record and state championship. He threw for 3,941 yards in his senior season while completing 69 percent of his passes (264-for-383), tossed 54 touchdown passes and had just three interceptions.
Minnesota started recruiting Lindsey in April of 2023, before his senior season. He said the Gophers showed him “love” and made him feel special.
With ambition to be a “great quarterback,” Lindsey will have the opportunity to show the Razorbacks what they missed.
Worth Noting
The Gophers Koi Perich, who was the No. 1 recruit in the state two years ago out of Esko, continues to receive lots of summertime recognition after his breakout freshman season in 2024. Among the latest honors is Lindy’s Big Ten preview magazine selecting him as a second team preseason All-American safety.
Perich is also second team All-Big Ten while defensive teammates Anthony Smith (end) and Maverick Baranowski (linebacker) are third team selections by Lindy’s.
The magazine picks the Gophers 11th in the 18-team Big Ten, one spot behind Iowa and one ahead of Wisconsin.
The publication quotes an anonymous NFL scout as saying the Gophers could push into the national top 25 conversation. “When you look at what P.J. Fleck has done at Minnesota, it’s impressive,” the scout said. “Even without the NIL resources to push them into the top tier of the Big Ten, he’s managed to keep the program competitive. …”
Scott Dochterman, writing in The Athletic last week, ranked college football’s 100 best rivalries and has Minnesota-Wisconsin at No. 10. Minnesota-Iowa is No. 34.
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