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Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
Ranking the Gophers’ top 10 transfer portal additions
- Story byPioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
- Ranking the Gophers’ top 10 transfer portal additions
The dizzying pace of the college football transfer portal is coming to a close, and it's time to wrap up what it means for the Gophers going into the 2026 season.
Minnesota had 21 players exit after the 2025 season and 19 players come aboard for next year. The portal closes for new entrants on Friday. And while players can still join new programs, the huge majority of Minnesota's work is done. The recruiting site 247Sports likes the Gophers class overall, slotting Minnesota at 30th in the nation and seventh within the Big Ten.
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This analysis breaks down the future pieces, ranking the top 10 and putting the remaining nine adds into two tiers. Daniel House, founder of Gophers Guru , provides analysis on five of the newcomers.
1. TJ Bush , defensive end, California
The best acquisition for the U this winter played nearly 2,000 total snaps, spread evenly between Cal last year and the two previous at Liberty. Minnesota knew it struggled with him in its nonconference game in Berkeley last September, when Bush had four pressures, three tackles and one sack.
The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder had 37 total pressures in 2025, per Pro Football Focus. He can complement Anthony Smith and Karter Menz at both edge spots, which can keep the trio fresh to menace quarterbacks.
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House: The best chance of being a high-impact transfer. … Disruptive, tone-setting. … (He) generates knock-back into the quarterback, impeding vision lanes and compressing edges. His aggressive, violent hands stand out while studying film.
2. Naquan Crowder, defensive tackle, Marshall
The Gophers identified a critical need to replenish their interior D-line given the exits of their top four at that position last season. This 6-foot-2 320-pound anchor is considered tops in a trio of new additions. The former Division II player developed at Marshall last season and was considered by PFF to be outstanding in run defense (82.7) in the Sun Belt Conference.
House: Slightly different style of defensive tackle than the Gophers have targeted in the past. He is a big, wide-bodied, space-eater. Played in wider alignment shades within a 3-3-5 defense, so his skills against the run may be completely maximized as he becomes more of a pure nose (tackle) for the Gophers. … I've been wondering if the Gophers may become more of a multi-front defense in 2026.
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3. Aydan West, cornerback, Michigan State
Minnesota had a huge need at CB2 after two portal defections at that position this winter. There is belief within the program the Gophers got a "very good" candidate here to play opposite starter John Nestor. At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, West logged 380 snaps as a true freshman for the Spartans. The Gaithersburg, Md., native had two undefeated state championship seasons with Quince Orchard High School.
4. Perry Thompson, receiver, Auburn
Minnesota needs wideouts who can create space and win contested catches, and this 6-foot-3, 220-pound target with speed will be asked to get open regularly for QB Drake Lindsey next fall.
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As a true freshman in the SEC, Thompson had five receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown, followed by 17 grabs for 154 yards as a sophomore.
House: Highly-rated high school player who had limited productivity over two college seasons. … Auburn's RPO (run-pass option) offense involved a heavy dose of quick routes, so Minnesota's coaching staff will be tasked with expanding his route tree as he enters a completely different offensive language and system.
5. Bennett Warren, right tackle, Tennessee
The 6-foot-7, 325-pounder was a big-time recruit coming from Houston, but totaled just 116 snaps over two years with the Volunteers. With three years of eligibility remaining, Warren will compete for the starting right tackle spot with redshirt freshman DJ Shipp of Eastvale, Calif., in spring ball.
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6. Noah Jennings, receiver, Cincinnati
The 6-foot, 190-pound to-be senior has the second-highest snap count (1,506) in the transfer class behind Bush. After two years at Charleston Southern, he totaled 23 catches for 323 yards with the Bearcats last season. Jennings didn't play much in the slot last season, but might be a candidate to do so this fall.
7. Xion Chapman, defensive tackle, Florida International
The Allentown, Pa., native signed with Minnesota after visiting Penn State and before he headed to Oklahoma State. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder will help in the interior D-line and his best PFF grade came as a pass rusher (79.8). He was credited with 24 pressures at FIU a season ago.
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House: Solid productivity in key pass rushing metrics. … Chapman's blend of lateral quickness and size could create some mismatches vs. certain guards. Minnesota will work on unlocking his pad level and consistency against the run as moves up to the Big Ten.
8. Zion Steptoe, receiver, Tulsa
The Gophers are betting to hit on two of the three new wideouts — a final verdict on that success rate will come in December. After starting out as a defensive back at Purdue, this 5-foot-11, 195-pound athlete had more than 900 snaps at Tulsa. Steptoe has speed to stretch the field and has played some in the slot. He had 36 receptions for 475 yards at Tulsa.
9. Mekhai Smith, safety, Lehigh
With star safety Koi Perich off to the Oregon Ducks, Minnesota brought in two new players at that position. But the internal belief within the program is the Gophers like the experienced depth already cultivated at that spot, plus the upside of Zach Harden.
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At 6-2 and 210 pounds, Smith had 56 tackles and four interceptions last season at the FCS level. If he can adjust to the higher level in the Big Ten, Smith can compete for playing time.
House: Compared to Minnesota's scheme, he operated in some stylistically-similar coverage structures at Lehigh. He looks like he'll be comfortable triggering from depth via zones in the backend, rolling down into the box or being more of a hybrid defensive back. … Displayed solid physicality and open-field tackling fundamentals.
10. Sid Kaba, defensive tackle, Marshall
The 6-3, 290-pound product of Columbus, Ohio didn't play a ton for the Thundering Herd last season (154 snaps), but was strong against the run (79.9 grade, per PFF). The goal for Kaba appears to be taking a chunk of snaps in the trenches.
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Contributors
Tight end Kaden Helms (Oklahoma) comes in as Minnesota lost three at the position from last season. He is considered a freak athlete, but has injury history with the Sooners. The U doesn't believe that's chronic. … Running back TJ Thomas (Elon) will see a handful of RBs ahead of him on the depth chart, but fewer clear-cut names competing to be a returner. … Quarterback Michael Merdinger (Liberty) will complete with Max Shikenjanski to be QB2 behind Lindsey. … Linebacker Andrew Marshall (Ohio) might see the field most on special teams and in a pinch if there are multiple injuries at LB. … Kicker Beckham Sunderland (Michigan) will compete with redshirt freshman Daniel Jackson for primary place-kicking duties next season. The U does not plan to add another kicker before next fall.
Developmental
Running back Jaron Thomas (Purdue); safety Parker Knutson (Southwest Minnesota State); cornerback Elisha West (Michigan State); punter Zachary Robbins (Utah State).
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