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The Gophers 2023 recruiting class train is not slowing down anytime soon. Shakopee DB Garrison Monroe verbally committed to the program Tuesday, becoming the seventh in-state player to do so. After publicly receiving an offer Tuesday around 5:00 p.m. he committed less than an hour after. Listed at 6-feet, 190 pounds Monroe held four other offers from South Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota. 247sports ranks him as the 10th best player in the state of Minnesota.
Staying Ho〽️e!!@GopherFootball @Coach_Fleck @Coach_DCollins @Haynes_Gophers @JoeS_Rossi @SaberFootball16 @CoachBetton44 @RyanBurnsMN pic.twitter.com/pj1mE8OCsi
— Garrison Monroe (@GarrisonMonroe1) June 14, 2022
Who is Garrison Monroe?:
Garrison Monroe is a soon-to-be senior student-athlete at local Shakopee High School. He had a terrific junior campaign for the Sabers playing both strong safety and QB on the offensive side of the ball. After totaling three total touchdowns, two interceptions, six PBUs and 23 total tackles. He picked up his first D1 offer shortly after the season on April 8th from Northern Iowa. After three more FCS offers rolled in, he didn’t think twice about committing to the Gophers, verbally doing so less than one hour after publicly receiving his offer.
- Scouting Report:
Monroe’s 247sports recruiting profile classifies him as an Athlete, and it’s rightfully so. As a dual-threat QB on top of being one of the best defensive backs in the state, he was simply a playmaker all over the field last season. I am honestly a bit surprised that he was not more highly touted as a prospect, his highlight tape is electric to watch. As a safety, he is instinctual in coverage, but still has room to grow as a tackler. Not every commitment can be a 4-star or even a high-level three-star, but Garrison Monroe is the type of player that I would want on my football team.
**High School Football Hudl Highlights:
Instant Reaction:
I have a theory that ~50% of non-lineman in the NFL played QB at some point in high school. Every time I am watching Sunday Night Football it seems like they bring up some linebacker’s high school tape of them playing QB. Based on this, I would always be more open to recruiting two-way high school players that play QB, if I was a college coach. Nevertheless, Garrison Monroe is an incredibly exciting football player, he simply knows how to make plays on the football field. Based on his recruiting list, you might not think he is a big-time get for the Gophers, but this guy can ball.
What is next?:
The Gophers now have a remarkable total of SEVEN (7) in-state players verbally committed to the 2023 class. With seven players overall committed in the span of seven days, they also have incredible momentum building. I would imagine that realistic 4-star targets DE/TE Jaxon Howard and WR Anthony Brown are seeing what has transpired. If the Gophers are able to land at least one, if not both guys, this great class has a chance to become ELITE.
Full 2023 class:
- OL Reese Tripp
- OL Jerome Williams
- RB Darius Taylor
- CB Za’Quan Bryan
- TE Pierce Walsh
- DL Martin Owusu
- OL Greg Johnson
- QB Drew Viotto
- LB Alex Elliot
- TE Sam Peters
- OT De’Eric Mister
- LB Tre Tre McCutchin
- S Kerry Brown
- DE Karter Menz
- S Karrison Monroe