Jan. 5, 2021: The Gophers’ busy Tuesday in the transfer portal was highlighted by Edina, Minn. native and former Notre Dame OL Quinn Carroll opting to return home, committing to Minnesota.
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Recruiting news often seems to come in bunches, and Tuesday was no different. Hours after landing a commitment from Vanderbilt DL Lorenza Surgers, the Gophers received a culture-defining pickup from Notre Dame transfer OL and Edina, Minn. native Quinn Carroll.
Standing at 6-foot-6, 320 pounds, Carroll was Minnesota’s No. 1 overall recruit in 2019. After suffering a knee injury as a freshman, he was put behind the eight ball and struggled to find the field for a talented Notre Dame offensive line, during his three seasons with the program. After opting to return home, only one day after entering the portal, Carroll now has three seasons of eligibility remaining. He is slated to become the leader of a rebuilding Gophers offensive line.
God’s timing is perfect. I’m coming home! #RTB #AGTG pic.twitter.com/FfsWK96XPk
— Quinn Carroll (@q_ocarroll) January 5, 2022
Who is Quinn Carroll?:
- Scouting Report
Quinn Carroll is an ELITE offensive line talent. Listed at 6-foot-6, 320 pounds, he has the ideal size for the position. He has athleticism and footwork that you simply cannot teach for someone his size. His sheer strength and aggressiveness are exactly what you want from a Big Ten offensive lineman. There is a reason why he was a 4-star prospect and had an offer from every school in the country. He doesn’t really have a weakness and has the skillset to be an anchor for almost any offensive line in the country.
Highlights: (High School)
Instant Reaction:
This is a culture-defining commitment. The Gophers were reportedly very close to landing Carroll back in 2019, but now they got their man. It was not all rainbows and butterflies for him at Notre Dame, but he is still an ELITE talent, and sometimes it is just a bad fit, and people need a change of scenery.
As for Carroll’s fit within the Gophers, it is a slam dunk. After losing four starting offensive linemen and both tackles, it looked like Minnesota was going to enter a rebuild upfront. Carroll speeds up the process exponentially. He has the credentials to be a leader and anchor on any offensive line and college football and the potential to be a high NFL Draft pick in the future. With three years of eligibility remaining this is a beyond massive addition to the Gophers offensive line and sets them up to have great success in 2022.
What is next?:
A few months ago, I would’ve guessed that the Gophers were going to have to replace all five starters upfront. Now John Michael Schmitz surprisingly announced his return, and Quinn Carroll is about as good of a replacement someone could ask for Daniel Faalele. There is obviously a lot to still be answered this offseason when it comes to who is starting where, but a position group that was a serious question mark heading into the offseason has become a serious strength with legitimate depth. The thought of a healthy Mo Ibrahim, Trey Potts , and Bucky Irving running behind this group next season is a thing of beauty.
LT: Aireontae. Ersery (3rd)
LG: Axel Ruschmeyer (6th year)
C: John Michael Schmitz (6th year)
RG: Nathan Boe (5th year)
RT: Quinn Caroll (3rd year)
Bench:
- J.J. Guedet (4th year)
- K. Shaw (5th year)