In what has become an annual tradition, Athlon Sports released its preseason college football preview complete with anonymous quotes from rival Big Ten coaches sizing up the Minnesota Golden Gophers—and this year’s comments paint a familiar, but fascinating, picture of where P.J. Fleck’s program stands heading into 2025.
The headline takeaway? There’s respect for what Fleck has built in Dinkytown, but also a lingering sense that Minnesota is bumping up against a ceiling.
“P.J. [Fleck] has built a consistent winner even though it’s not at an elite level. So the good news is the bad news, depending on your expectations, because it is more of the same.”
That quote captures a sentiment many Gopher fans likely wrestle with themselves. Fleck has brought stability, bowl games, and national relevance back to the program—but after an 11-win season in 2019 and a pair of nine-win finishes since, some are wondering when (or if) the next step is coming.
And according to one coach, this doesn’t look like the year Minnesota makes a major leap.
“It’s no secret Fleck wants to be at a high-end, title-contending program. This doesn’t look like a ’19 season on paper, but if they win nine games or so, he’ll be on the hunt to move.”
That kind of speculation has surrounded Fleck in recent offseasons—rumors tied him to the UCLA job last cycle before he reaffirmed his commitment to the Gophers. But if Minnesota surprises in 2025, chatter about his next move is unlikely to go away.
New Faces on Offense
One of the biggest questions heading into fall camp is who will take over at quarterback following Athan Kaliakmanis’ transfer to Rutgers. Based on what opposing coaches are seeing, the answer might already be clear.
“I think [Drake] Lindsey is the starting quarterback based on what we saw coming out of the spring game, and they need to establish the wide receiver group.”
Lindsey, a true freshman out of Arkansas, impressed during spring practices with his poise and arm talent. He’ll need some help on the outside, though, and the wide receiver room—while deep with potential—lacks proven production at the Big Ten level. Look for transfers like Elijah Spencer and a healthy Corey Crooms to play critical roles, alongside young talent like Kenric Lanier and Daniel Freitag.
Another offensive concern? The big guys up front.
“The offensive line lost a lot of experience, and they’re portaling a group together, so that could be a potential problem.”
Minnesota brought in several transfer linemen, including starters from UCF, Washington, and Kentucky, to help replace a veteran group that graduated or moved on. Chemistry and cohesion will be key heading into early Big Ten matchups.
A Defensive Star in the Making
One bright spot that drew praise from a rival coach is former LSU transfer Jaxon Howard.
“Jaxon [Howard] is a special talent on defense. He could be a real game-wrecker.”
The Minneapolis native returned home this offseason and immediately made an impact in spring practice. He’s expected to start at defensive end and gives the Gophers a much-needed pass rushing presence after a quiet year on the edge.
What It All Means
The tone of Athlon’s anonymous coach quotes suggests a general respect for Minnesota—a program that’s tough, physical, and hard to prepare for—but also skepticism about whether the Gophers can break through in a new-look Big Ten loaded with heavyweights.
For Gopher fans, the goal in 2025 is to prove the doubters wrong, develop their young quarterback, and stay healthy up front. And maybe, just maybe, catch lightning in a bottle the way they did in 2019.
Until then, the outside world will continue to label Minnesota as “solid but unspectacular.” Inside the Gopher locker room, expect a group eager to change that narrative.