Gophers add Illinois LB Matt Kingsbury to 2023 class

By: Tony Liebert |
Dec. 18, 2022: Three-star Chicago, Ill. LB Matt Kingsbury committed to the Gophers Sunday night, becoming the 18th player to join the University of Minnesota’s 2023 recruiting class.

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Early National Signing Day is only three days away, but the Gophers wanted to start their party early. Chicago, Illinois linebacker Matt Kingsbury committed to Minnesota Sunday joining a growing 2023 class. With other top offers from Purdue, Utah State and Wyoming he is the first linebacker commit of the class. On his visit over the weekend, he was offered and committed to the Maroon & Gold.

Who is Matt Kingsbury?:

Matt Kingsbury is a senior student-athlete at St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago, Illinois. St. Rita is a private all-boys school with an enrollment of ~560 students. As a senior, Kingsbury recorded 131 total tackles, 11 TFLs, and three forced fumbles en route to being named the Tony Lawless Award winner as the most outstanding player in the Chicago Catholic League. 247sports rates him as the No. 32 player in Illinois. He held 17 total FBS offers, but Purdue was the only power five school before he settled on Minnesota.

  • Scouting Report:

Kingsbury fits the mold of a Joe Rossi linebacker. Listed at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds he has Big Ten size. For what he lacks in athleticism he makes up for in instincts. His speed will certainly not jump off the page, but he knows how to play the linebacker position. It will likely not be early in his Gophers career, but Kingsbury is more than capable of developing into a Big Ten starting linebacker.

**High School Football Hudl Highlights: 

Instant Reaction:

Matt Kingsbury is not a commitment that has a huge immediate impact on the Gophers’ program. He is likely a long-term developmental prospect, but he is the type of player that good football teams are filled with. He was one of the best players in his area and level of high school football and he knows how to play the game. Whether it’s in practice or the film room, players like Kingsbury who are bought into the system is what helps build programs like Minnesota.

What is next?:

Now with 18 total commitments, the Gophers have the No. 49 ranked 2023 recruiting class according to 247sports. With early National Signing Day only three days away, there are still plenty of dominoes to fall for the Gophers. I think they’re far from finished and we could see 3-5 more recruits commit to the Maroon & Gold before Wednesday.

Full 2023 class:

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