Offense
The quarterback position belongs to Drake Lindsey, who had a very solid redshirt freshman season. He completed 63% of his passes, for 2,382 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He could have a jump in his sophomore season with the consistency within the program.
The running back room returns experience in Darius Taylor and AJ Turner. Taylor led the team in yards from scrimmage (915) last season. If that number gets closer to 1,500, this offense could take off. The additions of Jaron Thomas (Purdue) and TJ Thomas Jr. (Elon) provide great depth for this unit.
The wide receiver room returns experience in Jalen Smith, Javon Tracy, and tight ends Pierce Walsh and Jacob Simpson. The additions of Noah Jennings (Cincinnati), Perry Thompson (Auburn), Zion Steptoe (Tulsa), and tight end Kaden Helms (Oklahoma) provide even more playmakers for this offense.
The offensive line room returns experience in Ashton Beers, Tony Nelson, Greg Johnson, and Nathan Roy. Watch out for redshirt freshman Daniel Shipp. The additions of Bennett Warren (Tennessee) and true freshman Andrew Trout comprise a deep unit.
Defense
The defensive line room returns the Big 10’s sack leader, Anthony Smith (12.5 sacks), along with Jaxon Howard and Karter Menz. The additions of Sid Kabal (Marshall), Naquan Crowder (Marshall), TJ Bush Jr. (California), and Xion Chapman (Florida International) provide much need help for the interior, and Bush being a compliment to Smith off the edge.
The linebacker room features one of the Big 10’s best, Maverick Baranowski. He recorded 103 tackles last season. Also returning are Matt Kingsbury, Joey Gerlach, Emmanuel Karma, and Mason Carrier. The addition of Andrew Marshall (Eastern Michigan) provides even more experience to this unit.
The secondary returns experience in Aiden Gausby, John Nestor, Mike Gerald, Kerry Brown, Zack Harden, and Garrison Monroe. The additions of Mekhai Smith (Lehigh), Aydan West (Michigan State), Elisha West (Michigan State), and Parker Knutson (D2 Southwest Minnesota State) improve this deep unit further.
Specialists
Tom Weston returns after a solid season. The kicking role will see a competition between Michigan transfer Beckham Sunderland and Daniel Jackson. Sunderland has experience as a kickoff specialist.
2026 Schedule
- 9/3 Eastern Illinois
- 9/12 Mississippi State
- 9/19 Akron
- 9/26 at Washington
- 10/3 Michigan
- 10/10 at Purdue
- 10/24 Iowa
- 10/31 at Indiana
- 11/7 UCLA
- 11/14 at Penn State
- 11/21 Northwestern
- 11/27 at Wisconsin
Final Analysis
The Golden Gophers return 71% of their offensive production and 65% on defense. PJ Fleck’s Row the Boat mentality fits very well here as he enters Year 10 as the head coach at Minnesota. Consistency is key here and the Golden Gophers do it better than most.
