Latest buzz surrounding the Gophers in the transfer portal

The college football offseason chaos is in full swing.

Aug 28, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers players take the field before the game against the Buffalo Bulls at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The transfer portal for college officially opened on Friday, January 2, and it will close two weeks later on January 16. This is your tracker for all things Gophers.

Incoming transfer portal players

Player	Position	Former school	Years of eligibility
Michael Merdinger	QB	North Carolina/Liberty	3
Jaron Thomas	RB	Purdue	4
Bennett Warren	OT	Tennessee	3
Andrew Marshall	LB	Eastern Michigan	2
Naquan Crowder	DT	Marshall	2
Perry Thompson	WR	Auburn	2
Parker Knutson	S	Southwest Minnesota State (D2)	2
Aydan West	CB	Michigan State	3
Elisha West	S	Michigan State	3
Beckham Sunderland	K	Michigan	2
Mekhai Smith	S	Lehigh	2
Zachary Robbins	K/P	Utah State	3

Departing Minnesota players

Name	Position	Snaps w/ UMN	Eligibility remaining
Reese Tripp	OL	4	2 years
Tre Berry	RB	0	4 years
Johann Cardenas	RB	0	3 years
Caleb McGrath	P	0	2 years
Quentin Redding	KR/PR/WR	144	1 year
Kenric Lanier II	WR	152	2 years
Jackson Kollock	QB	0	4 years
Harrison Brun	DB	15	3 years
Ethan Carrier	DB	0	2 years
Legend Lyons	WR	0	4 years
Cristian Driver	WR	115	1 year
Fame Ijeboi	RB	220	3 years
David Kemp	K	0	1 year
Malachi Coleman	WR	174	2 years
Brody Richter	P	0	1 year
Drew Wilson	LB	0	3 years
Za'Quan Bryan	CB	514	2 years
Kahlee Tafai	OT	39	2 years
Koi Perich	S	1,596	2 years
Steven Curtis	DE	0	2 years
Jaylen Bowden	CB	23	2 years

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Confirmed Targets

Player	Position	School	Eligibility remaining	Status
Keith Williams	LB	Cornell	2 years	Offered
John Lista	LB	Penn	1 year	Offered
Ezra Christensen	DL	New Mexico State	1 year	Offered
Kaden Helms	TE	Oklahoma	1 year	Visited
Elijah Dotson	DB	Michigan	2 years	Interest
Jackson Kleather	K	Bowling Green	1 year	Visit scheduled
Javin Gordon	RB	Tulane	3 years	Visit scheduled
Kyri Shoels	WR	San Jose State	1 year	Interest
TJ Bush Jr.	DE/OLB	Cal	1 year	Interest
Zion Steptoe	WR	Tulsa	2 years	Visit Scheduled

Other notable entries

Interesting portal entry. Sawyer Seidl's younger brother, Simon Seidel, just finished his RS-FR with the Gophers as a DB. Both were star athletes at Hill-Murray. https://t.co/PUaMAebZms https://t.co/yvNpQmiUQp

— Tony Liebert (@TonyLiebert) December 8, 2025

Flipping the page… Thank you UND🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/kq6n301YBa

— Bj Fleming (@BrianFlemingJr) December 10, 2025