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P.J. Fleck and the Gophers are picking up 2023 commitments like they’re going out of style. 2023 West Fargo, North Dakota edge defender Karter Menz verbally joined the Gophers Monday afternoon, following his official visit over the weekend during the program’s annual Summer Splash event. Menz, a 6-foot-5-inch defensive end chose Minnesota over top offers from Nebraska, Stanford and Washington State. 247sports ranks him as the No. 1 overall player in the state of North Dakota.
1000% COMMITTED!! 〽️ #RTB @Coach_Fleck @GopherFootball pic.twitter.com/D28rs0eyBp
— Karter Menz (@KarterMenz) June 13, 2022
Who is Karter Menz?:
Karter Menz is a soon-to-be senior student-athlete at West Fargo-Sheyenne High School. Menz had an incredibly productive junior campaign last season. He totaled 57 total tackles and 11.5 sacks while leading the Mustangs to their first North Dakota Class 2A state championship. He has quickly shot up nationwide recruiting rankings since the end of the season, picking up 20 total division offers highlighted by Nebraska, Stanford, Vanderbilt and Washington State. Now ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the state of North Dakota, Karter comes from a talented football family as his older brother Kole currently plays for his hometown NDSU Bison.
- Scouting Report:
Listed at 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, I can see why so many talent evaluators see a very high ceiling for Karter Menz. He is still very slim compared to a Big Ten edge rusher, but he does a terrific job of using his length to his advantage and physically dominating his opposition. He has the athletic versatility to play as a standup 4-3 outside linebacker, but given his height, I would imagine, the Gophers hope to use him at defensive end. It is really up to Karter, but if he continues to fill into his elite frame, he could be one of the best players committed to the Gophers for this class.
**High School Football Hudl Highlights:
Instant Reaction:
The Summer Splash event must’ve been quite the event for all of these 2023 recruits. Now with six players committed in the span of seven days, the Gophers’ 2023 class has an insane amount of momentum. With two defensive ends (Thomas Rush and Lorenza Surgers) running out of eligibility following the season, Minnesota had a need for defensive end help. Karter Menz fits that need, as the first edge rusher to join their 2023 class. Menz ranks as the 9th best recruit in their class, but he might have one of the highest ceilings. His physical tools are something that does not come along often. Defensive line coach Brick Haley has gotten a terrific piece of clay with the chance to mold into a beautiful sculpture.
What is next?:
When the day started the Gophers had the No. 12 ranked class in the country according to 247sports. With the addition of safety Kerry Brown and now Karter Menz, I expect that number to only improve. The momentum that this class is picked up should be frightening for the rest of the Big Ten. I would assume that four-stars Jaxon Howard and Anthony Brown see what is happening, and I can only hope that it impacts their ultimate decision.
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
- OT De’Eric Mister
- LB Tre Tre McCutchin
- S Kerry Brown
- DE Karter Menz