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The Gophers’ annual “Summer Splash” recruiting weekend started out with a bang Friday. 2023 Maple Grove, Minnesota TE Sam Peters opted to stay home verbally committing to the University of Minnesota. Peters is listed as 6-feet-4-inches, 225-pounds, and received his offer from the Maroon & Gold on June 7th, after competing in the team’s camp. The No. 7 ranked player in MN according to 247sports officially joined the Gophers only three days later over top offers from Tulane, Wyoming and Army. Minnesota has now signed six of the top nine players in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Staying Home!🏠〽️🛶 #RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers #Rowtheboat pic.twitter.com/qdN4YSx1vo
— Sam Peters (@sampetersss) June 11, 2022
Who is Sam Peters?:
Sam Peters is currently a senior, student-athlete at Maple Grove Senior High School. Last season for the Crimson Tide he recorded nine catches for 264 yards and four touchdowns. He also was an effective punter, punting 32 times for an average of 33.9 yards per punt. He quickly rose to be ranked the No. 7 best player in Minnesota according to 247sports. After accumulating offers from Tulane, Wyoming, Army, Air Force and Akron to name a few, he settled on his hometown Gophers.
- Scouting Report:
Listed at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Peters has the prototypical size for a Big Ten tight end. Like anyone his age, he still has room to add strength before contributing at that level, but he was quite effective last season as a blocker and receiving target. He has the athletic versatility to line up as a traditional tight end and outside as a wide receiver.
**High School Football Hudl Highlights:
Instant Reaction:
P.J. Fleck and the Gophers continue to add top in-state talent to their 2023 recruiting class, like Thanos adding infinity stones to his gauntlet. With the addition of Sam Peters, Minnesota now has six of the top nine players in-state verbally committed to their 2023 class. Peters fits the traditional mold of a P.J. Fleck tight end, a position that he has shown a great track record of developing. With only three returning scholarship players at the position adding Peters and already committed Pierce Walsh to the position group makes sense for their long-term future at tight end. Maple Grove standout Sam Peters is now joining a recruiting class that continues to become more and more historic.
What is next?:
In-state the Gophers’ focus now shifts to 4-star Jaxon Howard and other top uncommitted DT Ellineus Davis from Moorehead and ATH Carson Hansen from Lakeville South. Overall, Minnesota now has 10 players committed to its 2023 class that ranks No. 22 in the country according to 247sports. With 20+ players taking official visits this weekend, I would continue to keep your eyes peeled for more recruiting news.
Full 2023 class:
- OL Reese Tripp
- OL Jerome Williams
- RB Darius Taylor
- CB Za’Quan Bryan
- TE Pierce Walsh
- DL Martin Owusu
- OL Greg Johnson
- QB Drew Viotto
- LB Alex Elliot
- TE Sam Peters