All Things Jayden Bates Recruitment Thread (Class of 2029, DL, Gophers First to Offer)




Bates used his athleticism, skill and size beyond his years to stand out among the big boys — and picked up a scholarship offer from Fleck and the Gophers.

“It feels good that someone on coach Fleck’s level acknowledged what he was doing,” Bates’ father, Titus, told the Minnesota Star Tribune. “It doesn’t get bigger than that right now.”

The 6-4, 210-pound Bates fared well against older prospects Monday in front of Fleck and his Gophers assistants, including defensive line coach Dennis Dottin-Carter.

“He’ll keep working and showing everybody, especially Coach Fleck, that he made the right choice,” Titus Bates said. “We have been to Gophers games. We’ll plan to attend many more now. Row the boat.”


Go Gophers!!
 

Eden Prairie’s Jayden Bates, arguably the top high school football prospect in Minnesota, has transferred to a perennial powerhouse program in Colorado for his sophomore season.

Bates, a 6-5, 230-pound defensive end, will play next season at Cherry Creek High in Greenwood Village, Colo., which won the Class 5A football state championship for the 15th time last year.

Titus Bates, Jayden’s father, will also be coaching with Cherry Creek, one of the largest high schools in the Denver Metro area.

“We are going to miss everyone, but [we’re] ready for the next chapter in life,” said Titus Bates, who leaves Minnesota for Colorado with his son on Saturday. “I’m very excited about the move.”

The No. 1 prospect in the state’s graduating class of 2029 was offered a scholarship last year out of middle school by the Gophers and coach P.J. Fleck. Bates also has offers from Power Four programs like Wisconsin, Boston College, and Georgia Tech.

Last year, Bates started games on the defensive line as a ninth-grader for the 8-3 Eagles, who lost to eventual state champion Edina 23-21 in the Class 6A quarterfinals.


Go Gophers!!
 







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