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Tracking Gopher football roster movement: Who’s graduating? Who’s coming back?

The college football offseason craziness has only just begun.
Tony Liebert|
Nov 29, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate with Paul Bunyan’s Axe after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate with Paul Bunyan’s Axe after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Golden Gophers

The college football offseason calendar is harder to keep track of than ever. Between early national signing day, the transfer portal, and even bowl games, it's hard to know which players are graduating and who's coming back. Here's the best way to keep track of the latest news relating to the Gophers.

Important dates

  • Early national signing period: Dec. 3-5
  • Bowl game selection: Dec. 7
  • Transfer portal: Jan. 2-16

Graduating seniors/recognized on senior day (25 players)

  • Frank Bierman, TE/FB
  • Devon Williams, LB
  • Derik LeCaptain, LB
  • Le'Meke Brockington, WR
  • Sam Henson, K
  • Jameson Geers, TE
  • Deven Eastern, DT
  • Darius Green, DB
  • Nate Becker, DL (could return)
  • Jalen Logan-Redding, DL
  • Jai'Onte McMillan, DB
  • Lucas Finnessy, DE
  • Aluma Nkele, OT
  • David Kemp, K
  • Spencer Alvarez, OT (could return)
  • Drew Biber, TE
  • Jeff Roberson, LB
  • Emmett Morehead, QB
  • Logan Loya, WR
  • Dylan Ray, OT
  • Marcellus Marshall, OL
  • Brady Denaburg, K
  • Cam Davis, RB
  • Rushawn Lawrence, DL

Minnesota recognized 26 players during its annual senior day against Wisconsin. 23 of the players have no eligibility remaining beyond the 2025-26 season, according to the team website. Becker, Smith and Alvarez could all change their mind and still return for the 2026-27 season.

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Incoming 2026 signees (31 players)

The early national signing period for the class of 2026 opens on Wednesday, Dec. 3, and it closes on Friday, Dec. 5. Most of the Gophers verbal commits and other recruits across the country will officially sign to their respective programs on Wednesday. Some will wait until Thursday or Friday, and others will wait until the traditional signing day in the spring. Minnesota could have up to 31 incoming recruits join its 2026 roster.

Publicly announced return

  • Jalen Smith, WR
  • Drake Lindsey, QB
  • Maverick Baranowski, LB
  • John Nestor, CB
  • Greg Johnson, OL
  • Kerry Brown, S
  • Nathan Roy, OL
  • Ashton Beers, OL
  • Anthony Smith, DE
  • Jaxon Howard, DE
  • Karter Menz, DE

Smith was the first player to publicly announce his plans to return to Minnesota in 2026. This has only become more common in modern college football with the transfer portal and NIL. There will certainly be more players who do so throughout the offseason, but just because they don't, it doesn't mean they aren't coming back.

Eligibility remaining/could return

  • Mo Omonode, DT
  • Steven Curtis, DE
  • Jaylen Bowden, CB
  • Javon Tracy, WR
  • A.J. Turner, RB
  • Evan Redding, DB
  • Tony Nelson, OL
  • Joey Gerlach, LB
  • Rhyland Kelly, CB
  • Aidan Gousby, DB
  • Jack DiSano, TE
  • Max Shikenjanski, QB
  • Dylan Wittke, QB
  • Jerome Williams, OL
  • Darius Taylor, RB
  • Pierce Walsh, TE
  • Sam Peters, TE
  • Garrison Monroe, DB
  • Nuke Hayes, WR
  • Theorin Randle, DL
  • Matt Kingsbury, LB
  • Tom Weston, P
  • Alan Sokup, LS
  • Mason Carrier, LB
  • Simon Seidl, DB
  • Riley Sunram, DL
  • Mo Saine, DL
  • Zahir Ranier, S
  • Jacob Simpson, TE
  • Samuel Madu, CB
  • Sam Macy, DE
  • Mike Gerald, CB
  • Jaylin Hicks, DL
  • Brett Carroll, OL
  • Adam Kissayi, DE
  • Jaden Ball, OL
  • Emmanuel Karmo, LB
  • Zack Harden, CB
  • Colin Hansen, DL
  • Ethan Stendel, LB
  • Rhett Hlavacka, LB
  • Grant Washington, RB
  • Abu Tarawallie, DL
  • Bradley Martino, WR
  • Nick Spence, OL
  • Naiim Parish, CB
  • Nathan Cleveland, LB
  • Mark Handy, OL
  • Jayquan Stubbs, DL
  • Enoch Atewogbola, DL
  • DJ Shipp, OL
  • Daniel Jackson, K
  • Luke Ryerse, P
  • Kaveon Lee, OL
  • Jake Lutz, LS
  • Xavier Ford, RB

Transfer portal

  • *Johann Cardenas, RB (left the team preseason)
  • *Tre Berry, RB (left the team in-season)
  • Reese Tripp, OL
  • Caleb McGrath, P
  • Quentin Redding, PR/KR
  • Kenric Lanier II, WR
  • Jackson Kollock, QB
  • Ethan Carrier, DB
  • Harrison Brun, DB
  • Legend Lyons, WR
  • Cristian Driver, WR
  • Fame Ijeboi, RB
  • Brody Richter, P
  • Malachi Coleman, WR
  • Koi Perich, S
  • Kahlee Tafai, OL
  • Drew Wilson, LB

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Tony Liebert
TONY LIEBERT

Tony Liebert is particularly known for his coverage of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, though he also contributes to coverage of the Minnesota Vikings, Timberwolves and Twins. His writing style is noted for providing in-depth analysis and insights, making him a go-to source for fans looking for comprehensive coverage of Minnesota sports.

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