BleedGopher
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Per ESPN:
The criteria for evaluating teams, this time through the 2027 season, remains the same: Roster management -- how well a team recruits and addresses its roster through the transfer portal. Second, quarterback outlook -- multiyear starters are great, although I'm also assessing how programs compete for portal QBs. Miami, for example, has shown it will pay whatever it takes annually for top transfers. A spotlight is also put on offensive and defensive line play, especially after a College Football Playoff where line-of-scrimmage play mattered so much.
QB situation: Minnesota has taken the increasingly rare path of developing a quarterback it recruited, and the Gophers have seen the payoff with Drake Lindsey, who returns for his second season as the starter. Lindsey completed 63.2% of his passes with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions last year, and he will have three years of eligibility left. Max Shikenjanski and Liberty transfer Michael Merdinger should compete at the backup role, but Lindsey projects as Minnesota's offensive centerpiece through at least 2027.
Offensive line/defensive line outlook: The Gophers regained a linchpin for their pass rush with senior end Anthony Smith, who led the Big Ten with 12.5 sacks and finished second with 17.5 tackles for loss in 2025. Junior Karter Menz also returns after recording 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss last fall, and Minnesota added Cal edge TJ Bush Jr., who led the Bears last fall with 5.5 sacks. Minnesota addressed the defensive tackle spot in the portal with Xion Chapman (Florida International) and Naquan Crowder (Marshall), who both can play through 2027. The team's local defensive line recruiting has surged with SC Next 300 prospects Howie Johnson (incoming freshman) and Eli Diane (2027 commit). The Gophers feel good about most of their offensive line spots with guard Greg Johnson, center Ashton Beers and Nathan Roy, who started 12 games at left tackle as a freshman, all returning. They added Tennessee transfer Bennett Warren, a sophomore, likely to play right tackle. Senior Tony Nelson and several underclassmen will compete at the other guard spot.
Roster management: Minnesota hasn't kept everyone, as safety/returner Koi Perich's departure to Oregon certainly stings, but coach P.J. Fleck should feel good about retaining Smith, Lindsey, running back Darius Taylor, cornerback John Nestor and others from a solid eight-win team. The Gophers could have Lindsey for three more seasons at quarterback, and they have a promising group of non-senior linemen on both sides of the ball. Their defense also could take a step forward with Smith, Nestor and other returnees joining forces with transfers such as Chapman, Crowder and cornerback Aydan West (Michigan State). Minnesota signed the nation's No. 31 class in 2026 and continues to perform well within the state.
Star power: Smith was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and will enter his senior season as a national awards candidate. The offensive backfield of Lindsey and Taylor is formidable and experienced. Nestor led the Big Ten with six interceptions last fall and rejoins safety Kerry Brown and linebacker Maverick Baranowski, who both earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2025. Bush could form a dynamic pressure tandem with Smith.
Coaching staff: Minnesota has continuity at its coordinator spots with Danny Collins (defense) and Greg Harbaugh Jr. (offense), but had a lot of staff movement below them. Former Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim and wide receiver Isaac Fruechte will coach the positions they once played (Fruechte was North Dakota's offensive coordinator the past two years). Minnesota also brought back former offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover as assistant offensive line coach, and added Daniel Da Prato from New Mexico as special teams coordinator.
www.espn.com
Go Gophers!!
The criteria for evaluating teams, this time through the 2027 season, remains the same: Roster management -- how well a team recruits and addresses its roster through the transfer portal. Second, quarterback outlook -- multiyear starters are great, although I'm also assessing how programs compete for portal QBs. Miami, for example, has shown it will pay whatever it takes annually for top transfers. A spotlight is also put on offensive and defensive line play, especially after a College Football Playoff where line-of-scrimmage play mattered so much.
28. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Previous future power ranking: 40QB situation: Minnesota has taken the increasingly rare path of developing a quarterback it recruited, and the Gophers have seen the payoff with Drake Lindsey, who returns for his second season as the starter. Lindsey completed 63.2% of his passes with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions last year, and he will have three years of eligibility left. Max Shikenjanski and Liberty transfer Michael Merdinger should compete at the backup role, but Lindsey projects as Minnesota's offensive centerpiece through at least 2027.
Offensive line/defensive line outlook: The Gophers regained a linchpin for their pass rush with senior end Anthony Smith, who led the Big Ten with 12.5 sacks and finished second with 17.5 tackles for loss in 2025. Junior Karter Menz also returns after recording 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss last fall, and Minnesota added Cal edge TJ Bush Jr., who led the Bears last fall with 5.5 sacks. Minnesota addressed the defensive tackle spot in the portal with Xion Chapman (Florida International) and Naquan Crowder (Marshall), who both can play through 2027. The team's local defensive line recruiting has surged with SC Next 300 prospects Howie Johnson (incoming freshman) and Eli Diane (2027 commit). The Gophers feel good about most of their offensive line spots with guard Greg Johnson, center Ashton Beers and Nathan Roy, who started 12 games at left tackle as a freshman, all returning. They added Tennessee transfer Bennett Warren, a sophomore, likely to play right tackle. Senior Tony Nelson and several underclassmen will compete at the other guard spot.
Roster management: Minnesota hasn't kept everyone, as safety/returner Koi Perich's departure to Oregon certainly stings, but coach P.J. Fleck should feel good about retaining Smith, Lindsey, running back Darius Taylor, cornerback John Nestor and others from a solid eight-win team. The Gophers could have Lindsey for three more seasons at quarterback, and they have a promising group of non-senior linemen on both sides of the ball. Their defense also could take a step forward with Smith, Nestor and other returnees joining forces with transfers such as Chapman, Crowder and cornerback Aydan West (Michigan State). Minnesota signed the nation's No. 31 class in 2026 and continues to perform well within the state.
Star power: Smith was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and will enter his senior season as a national awards candidate. The offensive backfield of Lindsey and Taylor is formidable and experienced. Nestor led the Big Ten with six interceptions last fall and rejoins safety Kerry Brown and linebacker Maverick Baranowski, who both earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2025. Bush could form a dynamic pressure tandem with Smith.
Coaching staff: Minnesota has continuity at its coordinator spots with Danny Collins (defense) and Greg Harbaugh Jr. (offense), but had a lot of staff movement below them. Former Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim and wide receiver Isaac Fruechte will coach the positions they once played (Fruechte was North Dakota's offensive coordinator the past two years). Minnesota also brought back former offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover as assistant offensive line coach, and added Daniel Da Prato from New Mexico as special teams coordinator.
College Football Future Power Rankings through 2027
Coaches, current roster, recruits: Who has the best overall team over the next two seasons?
Go Gophers!!
