–> The last of four transfer portal commitments for the Gophers on Sunday came from Indiana RB Trent Howland.
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Indiana transfer RB Trent Howland committed to the Gophers Sunday after taking his official visit to the program over the weekend. Last season as a redshirt-sophomore he came on late in the year as the Hoosiers starting RB with 70+ yards in 2 of the team’s final 3 games. On3 ranks him as the No. 46 RB in the transfer portal.
COMMITMENT: Indiana transfer RB Trent Howland committed to the #Gophers after his official visit over the weekend.
Last season he had 75 carries for 354 yards and 2 TDs. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds he will provide Minnesota with a unique skillset in the backfield alongside Darius… pic.twitter.com/t8XlziKYg0
— Tony Liebert (@TonyLiebert) December 11, 2023
Who is Trent Howland?:
Howland grew up in Joliet, Illinois a large suburb of 150,000 people outside of Chicago. He was an impressive high school player, running for 1,401 yards on 178 carries (7.9 average) with 14 touchdowns as a senior. He led Joliet West High School to its first conference championship in over 50 years. Recruited as a RB/LB (ATH), he was tabbed as the No. 808 OVR player in 2021 per, 247sports. He was offered by Minnesota out of high school as well as Nebraska, Purdue and Iowa State before settling on the Hoosiers.
He redshirted his true freshman season in 2021, then in 2022 he appeared in 9 games, rushing only two times for 12 yards, until he moved to LB midway through the season. In 2023, he finally was given a shot at RB and broke out in the second half of the season with 75 carries for 352 yards and 2 TDs. He was analytically very impressive running for 4.7 yards per-carry and 245 total yards after contact. After Indiana decision to move on from Tom Allen, so did Howland as he transfered within conference to Minnesota.
- Scouting Report:
Listed 6-foot-3, 240 pounds Howland will provide the Gophers a very unique skillset given his unique size. With Jordan Nubin and Darius Taylor as the only two returning RBs from a season ago Howland will give Minnesota a solid three man trio. With two seasons of eligibility remaining, he also has the potential to develop into a real player in the backfield. He will have every oppurtinity to compete for the No. 2 spot behind Taylor next season.
**Highlights**
Instant Reaction:
After losing Zach Evans and Marquese Williams to the transfer portal and Bryce Williams and Sean Tyler to the next level, the Gophers had a need to add some depth to the RB room. Howland is a player that the Minnesota staff was already familiar with given the fact that they recruited him out of high school in 2021. Taylor is obviously set to be “the man” as we know how much PJ Fleck likes to roll with one guy at the position, but the fact that Taylor and Mo Ibrahim have now dealt with season-long injuries, we could maybe see a different approach and Howland could be a true change of pace instead of just a reserve role. Nevertheless, however, the Gophers decide to use him next season I think he fits their situation very well and has a great skill set to add to their backfield.
What is next?:
Trent Howland is now the Gophers’ fifth addition from the transfer portal this offseason. I believe they’ve addressed some serious needs with five players who have the chance to be contributors right away. We all know how quickly things can change in the current college football landscape, so with early national signing day inching closer at the end of the month, this offseason is just getting started, but PJ Fleck and his staff have started this cycle on the right foot.
Portal Additions: