–> 26 Gophers’ put a pen to paper signing with the Gophers today on Early National Signing Day, then one more joined them as Central Michigan transfer DL Quindario Lee committed to the Maroon & Gold.
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With all of the flipping and transferring craziness, the Gophers have ultimately addressed some needs this offseason with DB depth, a new QB1, QB2 and an RB2. There was still a major hole and that was along the interior defensive line. Central Michigan transfer Quindario Lee will fill that gap. Choosing Minnesota over top offers from Michigan State and Maryland, Lee has the potential to be a contributor day one, but he will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
100% Committed @Coach_Debo46 pic.twitter.com/gvhj3eULtZ
— Quindario Lee (@LeeQuindario) December 20, 2023
Who is Quindario Lee?:
Hailing from McKenzie, Alabama, a city of less than 1,000 people in the middle of nowhere, Quindario Lee did not receive much D1 interest coming out of High School in the 2019 class. He opted to go the JUCO route attending Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kansas. He played one season of JUCO ball before deciding to head to Mount Pleasant, Michigan and attend Central Michigan. He redshirted in 2021 appearing in only two games. Then the following season he broke out, playing in all 12 games, finishing the year with 15 tackles (seven solo), 5 TFLs and 2 sacks. Then this season he nearly doubled his total snap count and improved his production, with 28 tackles, seven TFLs and five sacks. After entering the Transfer Portal on Dec. 5 he landed on Minnesota nearly two weeks later.
- Scouting Report:
Listed at 6-foot-5, 280 pounds Lee has the build of a bigger defensive end. He played nearly 90% of his snaps on the edge last season, so it would be fair to expect the Gophers to try him out there. His 59.8 PFF Grade won’t jump off the page, but he has the intangibles and skills to contribute as a rotational player on the defensive line.
**JUCO Highlights**
Instant Reaction:
The Gophers quickly replaced Trent Howland’s flip with Ohio transfer RB Sieh Bangura, but they still had a need along the defensive line with FIU DT Jordan Guerad flipping to Louisville. Quindario Lee now fills that need and gives the Gophers another experienced body up front, something that you can never have enough of. Given the fact that Minnesota is much deeper at the edge position with Striggow, Joyner, Logan-Redding, and Smith, I wonder if the Gophers’ new DC and DLine coach Winston DeLattiboudere III won’t try Lee at interior. Nevertheless, I believe he has the size and versatility to play at both spots and will provide much-needed depth along the defensive line.
What is next?:
The Gophers’ lone flip on early National Signing Day came from Navarro College (JUCO) EDGE Eddy Toussom, so Minnesota also could use some edge help. But Lee’s commitments now gives the Gophers six new players from the Transfer Portal. It seems as if the Maroon & Gold still might wanna add a WR, but I would say they not longer have any “urgent needs.” Especially in today’s age of college sports, you can use any depth when you can get it, but you only have a certain amount of scholarships. Overall, Fleck has had a positive offseason when it comes to player personnel and Quindario Lee continues that trend.
Portal Additions:
- New Hampshire, QB Max Brosmer
- Bucknell, CB Ethan Robinson
- Fresno State, QB, Logan Fife
- TCU, DB, Jai’Onte’ McMillan
- Ohio, RB, Sieh Bangura
- Central Michigan, DL, Quindario Lee