Wanted to toss out an idea about why the Gophers seem to be taking big recruiting classes back to back years and why I think that might continue.
1) In January, Fleck was asked about Indiana’s success and said the Gophers are “striving to make it happen a different way.” He added they are emphasizing HS recruiting and development rather than adding from the portal.
2) Prior to this past season, rosters were capped at 85 scholarships, with most rosters having 110-120 players. Beginning this past season, the roster limit has been reduced to 105, but the scholarship limit was raised to 105.
3) Unless I’m mistaken, I don’t recall them signing a PWO in the last two recruiting classes (‘25 and ‘26). They have instead opted to sign large recruiting classes with higher numbers of scholarship players. Theoretically this increases the quality of player entering the program with a less steep developmental curve.
4) In the 2026 cycle, they took 31 HS commits and 19 Portal players. At the time of this post, for the 2027 cycle, they already have 25 players committed.
Given they cannot buy anyone they want in the portal, they seem to have adopted a “lottery ticket” style for recruiting. By lottery ticket, I mean over signing players each class to increase the odds of hitting on at least one player at each position. To comply with roster limits, this would also mean that those who do not meet the developmental standard (often meaning on track for playing time in year 3 or 4) are forced into the portal. There will also be natural attrition, with guys moving on/entering the portal on their own accord. All in all, each class of ~30 players whittles down to 15-20, leaving room for portal guys.
Is there merit to this idea? If so, do you guys think it will lead to greater success?
1) In January, Fleck was asked about Indiana’s success and said the Gophers are “striving to make it happen a different way.” He added they are emphasizing HS recruiting and development rather than adding from the portal.
2) Prior to this past season, rosters were capped at 85 scholarships, with most rosters having 110-120 players. Beginning this past season, the roster limit has been reduced to 105, but the scholarship limit was raised to 105.
3) Unless I’m mistaken, I don’t recall them signing a PWO in the last two recruiting classes (‘25 and ‘26). They have instead opted to sign large recruiting classes with higher numbers of scholarship players. Theoretically this increases the quality of player entering the program with a less steep developmental curve.
4) In the 2026 cycle, they took 31 HS commits and 19 Portal players. At the time of this post, for the 2027 cycle, they already have 25 players committed.
Given they cannot buy anyone they want in the portal, they seem to have adopted a “lottery ticket” style for recruiting. By lottery ticket, I mean over signing players each class to increase the odds of hitting on at least one player at each position. To comply with roster limits, this would also mean that those who do not meet the developmental standard (often meaning on track for playing time in year 3 or 4) are forced into the portal. There will also be natural attrition, with guys moving on/entering the portal on their own accord. All in all, each class of ~30 players whittles down to 15-20, leaving room for portal guys.
Is there merit to this idea? If so, do you guys think it will lead to greater success?
