Fall Practice

When does fall practice start?

Last year it was exactly one month before the first game. So I'll guess August 3rd.

The University of Minnesota football team will host F.A.M.I.L.Y. Day on Saturday, Aug. 2. The popular event is free to the public and coincides with Minnesota's 6:00 p.m. open practice at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Minnesota football position battles on defense that could shape 2026 season​

Ryan Burns details the Minnesota Gopher Football position battles on defense that could shape 2026 season​

Ryan BurnsJul 10th, 7:48 AM


MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — With Minnesota football coming off an eight-win season in 2025, the fourth time in five seasons that's happened, expectations remain around that mark once again going into 2026. I'll be the first to tell you that the depth on the Gopher defense this fall looks exponentially different than it does on the offensive side, as there's actual depth and bodies ready to go that maybe haven't gotten an extended look yet.

We're now less than a month from fall camp opening, so I figured it's time to dive into some of the key position battles to watch come August.

Offensive position battles to watch

Who steps up at defensive tackle?​

DT Naquan Crowder (Photo: Dan Owen, 247Sports)
Welcome to the most pivotal position on the Minnesota defense this fall: the defensive tackle spot. With the graduation of over 1,400 defensive snaps from last fall, including contributions from NFL Draft pick Deven Eastern (499 snaps), Jalen Logan-Redding (415), Rushawn Lawrence (281), and Nate Becker (221), there's a substantial void that needs to be filled. A fresh face, C.J. Robbins, steps in as the new defensive line coach, ready to lead the overhaul.

The transfer defensive tackle with the most steam here this offseason has been Marshall's Naquan Crowder.

"He's a big guy that fills the gap and then he's also a really athletic dude that can make plays," Gopher defensive lineman Anthony Smith said after Minnesota's Spring Game. "He moves really well laterally and vertically. The whole mantra is get vertical on defense and cause havoc in the backfield. And he's definitely showed that all through the spring. He's a great guy off the field, too. It's always fun to chop it up with him."

Crowder was never ranked out of high school, but the Cal U (Pa.) transfer played in 14 collegiate games before joining the Herd. The 320-lb space-eating defensive tackle finished the 2025 season with 26 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack. A look underneath the hood of his Pro Football Focus numbers, Crowder graded out favorably. On over 300 snaps, he finished with a 76.3 overall grade and an 83.4 grade against the run. That's what Minnesota needs at defensive tackle next year, but the surprising factor has been Crowder's ability as a pass-rusher this fall. He's been slippery and finding his way in the backfield more than I thought. I believe he's now separated himself into the top tier of defensive tackles. He's got to be more consistent, but the flashes are there.

Defensive coordinator Danny Collins knows that, and he's ready to see how it all starts to take shape.

"You have a collection of guys that have played and been productive, and you have a collection of guys that haven't played yet, and that need to get that production. And a lot of it's on the outside and the edges where you've had that production. And then the inside is where you have some questions," Collins said to 247Sports earlier in the spring. "What I've loved is in winter conditioning and the weight room, guys like Riley Sunram are winning competitions and getting that notice because that's the first thing you have to do is gain the respect of your teammates. Riley's done that."

My rule with high school signees is that, especially on the offensive/defensive lines, I have no expectations for them to play significant snaps until their third year in the program. They need a couple of years to add Big Ten strength as they change their bodies. That's where Sunram fits.

Sunram's consistency this spring has put him into the same tier as Crowder, where I feel very confident there's going to be a 300+ snap role for him to grab this fall. The strength and size are there; it's just keeping the weight and pad level down.

Redshirt sophomore Jaylin Hicks is probably the twitchiest defensive tackle in the organization right now. He's around 275 lbs currently, and from talking with sources, he's going to earn triple-digit snaps this fall as a three-technique.

That leaves the walking wounded of Theo Randle and Florida International transfer Xion Chapman. Randle has essentially missed a year due to injury, but is currently healthy and is expected to be ready for fall camp. He's yet to play in his Gopher career because of his injury history, but if healthy, he can contribute. Chapman is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and is also expected to be ready for fall camp. Both are gigantic wildcards, but Minnesota needs both guys to step up.

If this group can give what the 2025 one did, I'll take it. If they're better, this defensive floor and ceiling are raised, but if they're not up to the standard, it could be a long conference season.

Safety and Nickel​

Aidan Gousby (Photo: Shotgun Spratling | USCfootball.com, 247Sports)
It's different to watch the Gopher safeties without seeing Koi Perich out there, but he made the business decision to head to Oregon following the Rate Bowl. You combine that with multiple guys (Darius Green and Jai'Onte McMillan) who played a lot of snaps at nickel, and there are roles to be filled.

The name I'm most curious to see where he ends up in the secondary is Aidan Gousby, and his 2026 story may not even be about him.

Minnesota elected to move him from safety to corner for the final two games of the season, and the tape was good enough to give him a long look there this spring. He's got significant tape already at safety, and with Koi Perich departing for Oregon, there are snaps available on the back end as well. It comes down to whether corner, nickel, or safety is the most pressing need by late August. If other players step up at one of the spots, Gousby has the positional flexibility to play the one that has the more dire need.

If you're pressing me to make an educated guess where his role begins, it's at nickel.

One young safety whose drumbeat has been loud over the offseason is second-year player Zack Harden. The physical tools are stuff for fans to dream on as he's 6-0+ with outstanding length. Minnesota mixed him in more as the Big Ten season went on, and he's one of the young players that the Gopher staff has been putting more on the plate for.

Here's what Fleck said to the media at Minnesota's Pro Day.

"It's so fun to watch Zack Harden, who I think is going to be a very special player here, be around Tyler Nubin," Fleck said to the media on Wednesday. "We introduced those two today, as Tyler asked me the same question of, what are you guys going to do at safety? And I said, you haven't met Zack Harden yet. You look at Zack, and he's almost bigger than Tyler right now. And I told Tyler, he's just like you. He loves ball. Hits like you. Plays like you. And can't get enough football. That's why the spring is going to be so exciting because it just makes way for the next guy to have his opportunity. And I think you saw what Zack Harden could do in limited playing time, and he's going to take the next right step."

Defensive coordinator Danny Collins, who is also Harden's position coach, shares similar optimism.

"A guy like Zack Harden. Yesterday at 8:30 at night, is texting me from the film room of just him in there drawing things up on the board and asking questions," Collins shared with the media earlier this spring. "The amount of care that he has shown, I'm so excited because I'm ready for him to take the next step."

Harden saw a significant amount of meaningful reps this spring at free and strong safety. I expect it to be 'by committee' at safety, depending on the package that Danny Collins has for that game, but the sophomore from Georgia seems poised to earn a much bigger role in 2026.

With all the talk of Kerry Brown, Zack Harden, and transfers Mekhai Smithand Parker Knutson, I beg you not to forget about fourth-year defender Garrison Monroe. The former Shakopee kid was a hot topic during the 2025 offseason and showed explosive-play ability in the non-conference before injuries cut short his season.

Minnesota's head coach liked what he saw this spring.

"I remember recruiting him, and he asked, "Am I going to get an opportunity?" And I said, you're going to get way more than an opportunity," Fleck said in early April.

"He reminds me of Jordan Howden when he first got here...Gary is a typical guy that when you look at development and you look at culture. You're going to get what you earn, and Gary Monroe is a perfect example of that. He looks like a completely different player than he looked like in November, and that's strictly a credit to him, Coach Collins, and his dedication to film study. He's playing faster and way more confident. He's making a lot of plays."

When you look at where Monroe can fit in this 2026 secondary, I see him being a key contributor at strong safety and nickel. I want to be the guy who's high on Monroe for that role, as he's earned the opportunity.

It's going to Kerry Brown in ink, and then names such as Gousby, Harden, Mekhai Smith, and Monroe are pushing each other every day now until Eastern Illinois.