Gophers speedy running back Zach Evans entering transfer portal

P.J. Fleck warned everyone that schools with more NIL money will make it impossible to keep good players at the University of Minnesota and that appears to be what's happening as at least eight Gophers football players have decided to enter the transfer portal ahead of Minnesota's upcoming bowl game.

The latest to announce plans to transfer is running back Zach Evans, who should be viewed as a significant loss if he winds up leaving because he has the explosiveness to be a game-changing running back.

"First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving me the ability to play the game I love with the support that I have around me. I would like to thank Coach Fleck for giving me the opportunity to play for the University of Minnesota. I would also want thank all my teammates and friends, without y'all I wouldn't be who I am today," Evans wrote in a post on social media.

Evans carried the ball 52 times for 230 yards and a touchdown this season. He went for 85 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against Louisiana and won the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award for that performance early in the season.

Evans departing hurts more since true freshman Marquese Williams also is entering the portal. Williams was prized recruit from Pennsylvania who committed to Minnesota in 2022, picking the Gophers over offers from Arkansas, Iowa, Michigan State, Penn State and Notre Dame, among others.

With Sean Tyler and Bryce Williams graduating, the 2024 backfield now is down to Darius Taylor II, Jordan Nubin, Cortez LeGrant and incoming 3-star recruits Jaydon Wright and Ohifame Ijeboi.

A list of Gophers football players who have entered the transfer portal