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 84th birthday today.