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Gophers get commitment from Arkansas QB, Mankato WR

Drake Lindsey and Jalen Smith are the latest additions to P.J. Fleck's 2024 recruiting class.
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The Minnesota Golden Gophers added to their 2024 recruiting class as three-star quarterback Drake Lindsey and three-star wide receiver Jalen Smith announced their commitment on social media Friday afternoon.

Lindsey has prototypical size for a quarterback at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds and was the 51st-ranked quarterback nationally according to 247Sports.com. He threw for 37 touchdowns with just three interceptions during his junior season in 2022 and had offers from Colorado State, Missouri State, South Alabama, Tulsa, UAB and UNLV.

Lindsey also has ties to the area as he is the grandson of former Vikings running back Jim Lindsey, who played with Minnesota from 1966-72.

Lindsey was an important recruit for the Gophers after Georgia quarterback Aaron Philo backed out of his commitment to join Minnesota in April. Philo, a fellow three-star quarterback, announced his commitment to Georgia Tech earlier this week.

While getting Lindsey was a solid commitment, the Gophers may have added one of his potential targets in Smith. The Mankato West standout caught 49 passes for 729 yards and eight touchdowns last season. At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Smith is the 129th-ranked wide receiver in the Class of 2024 and had offers from Iowa State, Kent State and North Dakota State.

Smith is also the sixth Minnesota player to join the 2024 recruiting class along with Esko safety Koi Perich, Prior Lake defensive lineman Jide Abasiri, Eden Prairie defensive lineman Mo Saine, Detroit Lakes linebacker Mason Carrier and Hill Murray athlete Simon Seidi.

The Gophers 2024 recruiting class now has 14 commitments and is currently 15th in the nation according to 247Sports composite rankings.