Gophers offer Illinois RB Trenten Howland following Junior Day
ByRYAN BURNS Jan 26, 7:29 PM
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"Today’s experience was not what I had expected coming in," 2021 Illinois running back Trenten Howland said to GopherIllustrated. "When I first arrived at the University they went over the basics of how it is being a Gopher and if you come to the school how easily you will fit in and connect with the coaching staff. By just being there today, I feel like I will fit in just fine with them. They also showed me their weight room, nutrition facilities, film/meeting rooms, locker rooms, recovery/training rooms and the whole football facility where most of the players are at daily."
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Trenten Howland
- Joliet, IL (Joliet West)
- ATH
- 6-2
- 218
- CLASS OF 21
247Sports Composite 0.8800
"The three Minnesota coaches I talked with most today were head coach PJ Fleck, running back coach Kenni Burns and my recruiting coach Brian Callahan," Howland told GopherIllustrated. "Coach Burns explained to me how good of a player I am and how much more I will improve. Not just as a football player at the University of Minnesota, but how I will also be developed as a young adult into a man. He also explained to me why being a Gopher would be the best fit for me."
Meeting with the head coach was also a highlight for the Illinois running back.
"Coach Fleck discussed with me how he is as a head coach and a person. He kept everything straight forward with me told me what will happened if I was to commit and how he would be basically a second father in a new home. He would take his time to help develop me into a new player/person. He wants me to be the greatest player I can be. We also talked about how good he can help me be outside of football and around in the community. He decided to give me the offer because he said he hears nothing but good things about me and how I carry myself as a person. They offered me strictly as a running back. He knows I’m a outstanding football player, but what got his attention was how humble I am and how I treat myself and others with respect. He also feels I can be a great fit for there team and be that “dude” that will come in and do great things."
Minnesota's now positioned themselves well for the rising running back.
"My dad and sister were with on the visit and they flat out loved it. They were shocked of how unbelievable it was. The highlight for me today was meeting with Coach Fleck. He really caught my attention of how it would be if I was to attend the program. Him explaining how honest he is and how he will go out his way to do anything for the players and staff it made me think of how good it would be for me to call this place family with him being my head coach behind it. After seeing things and earning an offer, I feel like I would fit perfectly at Minnesota and it's definitely the school that has my most interest now. I'll be visiting Michigan State, Iowa and Eastern Michigan soon though."