’22 Woodbury (MN) LB Joey Gerlach commits to Minnesota

By: Tony Liebert |

Oct. 1, 2021: A busy week of Gophers’ football only got busier, as 2022 LB Joey Gerlach (Woodbury, Minn.) gave Minnesota its fifth in-state commit for 2022.

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Tanner Morgan and Mohamed Ibrahim officially announced their intention to return for another season, Mike Sanford Jr. was let go as offensive coordinator, two players entered the transfer portal, and oh yeah the Gophers took down Wisconsin at home for the first time since 2003. While all of that was happening P.J. Fleck still found time to flip South Dakota State commitment Joey Gerlach into a commitment of his own, making five from the state of Minnesota in 2022. Gerlach, a 6-foot-3, 195 pound senior will play linebacker for the Gophers, after verbally committing to the Jackrabbits on July 13. Minnesota now has 15 total commitments for the 2022 class.

Who is Joey Gerlach?:

Joey Gerlach is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound senior athlete at Woodbury High School. As a senior, he was an All-Metro player for the Royals, where he played at the safety position, as well as some time offensively at running back and wide receiver. He will likely transition to linebacker with the Gophers. Gerlach committed to South Dakota State in July — and defensive Coordinator Joe Rossi was reportedly in attendance at one of Woodbury’s games this season, and when he was offered by the Gophers over the weekend and attended the Wisconsin game, he instantly flipped to staying home with Minnesota. 247sports ranks him as the No. 9 prospect in the state, as Fleck & Co. now have five of the top nine players from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Gerlach was reportedly on the Gophers’ radar following their summer camp, and they now have their man.

  • Scouting Report:

Gerlach is an instinctive linebacker who has the IQ and athleticism to develop into quite a player. He was one of the state’s top players in 2022, proving that he is an FBS football player. Listed at only 195 pounds, he will certainly have to add weight if he plans to transition to linebacker in the Big Ten, but he is more than capable of being productive. His overall profile is quite familiar to current redshirt-freshman LB Cody Lindenberg who went to high school at Anoka.

**High School Football Hudl Highlights: 

Instant Reaction:

No matter who it is, it is always good to keep in-state talent home. It sends a message to the state when you sign five of the top nine players. Joey Gerlach is a name that I heard a lot this season when talking about the most improved players in Minnesota. At only 195 pounds, he will likely be a developmental prospect. I wouldn’t expect to see him in his first one or two seasons at a position that has quickly become a strength for the Gophers. He certainly has the skill to prove me wrong and develop quicker than that. His instincts are something that is really hard to teach on defense and his overall feel for the game and football IQ will be what gets him on the field. The only thing stopping him from being a Big Ten football player will be himself.

What is next?:

Gerlach’s commitment brings the Gophers’ 2022 commitment total to 15 and five in the state in Minnesota. He joins Jack Pyburn as the second linebacker prospect to join Minnesota’s 2022 class. With Moriano Sori-Marin and Jack Gibbens likely off to bigger and better things after the season, the inside linebacker position will certainly look different next season. My early prediction would be Braelen Oliver and Cody Lindenberg or Jaqwondis Burns to be the main three contributors. With solid depth behind them, it is always good to get another body into the position room, but Gerlach will have a lot of bodies to beat out over the next two season.

With 15 total commitments and many transfers I would expect the Gophers’ 2022 class to be far from over with National Signing Day coming on Wednesday, Dec. 15.

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