Minnesota Golden Gophers Depth Chart

82
76
OFF
84
DEF
Solid
Matchup
Big Ten2-1 (2026)#28 Recruiting65% Returning
Depth Chart· Updated Sep 24, 2026· Two-deep · Public sources
QB
  1. 5
    81
    Drake LindseyRS SO
    Starter
  2. 6
    57
    Max ShikenjanskiRS JR
  3. 16
    53
    Brady PalmerFR
RB
  1. 1
    83
    Darius TaylorSR
    Starter
  2. 23
    71
    TJ ThomasJR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 2
    54
    A.J. TurnerRS SR/TR
WR-X
  1. 8
    81
    Jalen SmithRS SO
    Starter
  2. 84
    59
    Hayden MooreFR
  3. 7
    59
    Bradley MartinoRS FR
WR-Z
  1. 13
    79
    Noah JenningsSR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 89
    59
    Quayd HendryxFR
  3. 81
    53
    Josiah DozierFR
SLOT
  1. 11
    80
    Javon TracyRS SR/TR
    Starter
  2. 25
    71
    Zion SteptoeRS SR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 18
    60
    Donielle HayesRS JR
TE
  1. 19
    64
    Pierce WalshRS JR
    Starter
  2. 87
    64
    Kaden HelmsRS SR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 82
    50
    Julian JohnsonRS SO
LT
  1. 50
    81
    Nathan RoyRS SO
    Starter
  2. 60
    66
    Kaveon LeeRS FR
LG
  1. 65
    72
    Greg JohnsonSR
    Starter
  2. 55
    72
    Jerome WilliamsRS JR
C
  1. 78
    72
    Ashton BeersRS SR
    Starter
  2. 75
    66
    Mark HandyRS FR
RG
  1. 59
    72
    Tony NelsonRS SR
    Starter
  2. 58
    59
    Jaden BallRS SO/TR
  3. 77
    59
    Nick SpenceRS FR
RT
  1. 51
    72
    Daniel ShippRS FR
    Starter
  2. 68
    72
    Bennett WarrenRS SO/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 69
    53
    Gavin MeierFR

Next game kickoff time

Minnesota Golden Gophers plays Washington away on Sat, Sep 26. The listed kickoff time is 11:00 PM ET.

See the schedule and scores →

Coaching Staff

Head CoachP.J. Flecksince 2017
Offensive CoordinatorNot confirmed yet
Defensive CoordinatorGreg Harbaugh Jr.

Head coach confirmed. Coordinators are still being sourced from official team staff pages.

What's Next

Who do they play next?at Washington · Sat, Sep 26 · 11:00 PM ETWho's starting at QB?Drake Lindsey — starting quarterback for MinnesotaHow do they compare?Pick an opponent for Minnesota
2026 Schedule

0 games

Tap any game for the matchup breakdown — history, projection, and a simulated result.

    Team Analysis
    WHY #42 IN WS POWER
    Results this season-1.0 pts

    Lost to Mississippi State Bulldogs, who wasn't ranked, in week 2.

    2025 SP+: 9.6

    85%

    Roster talent: 70th percentile

    7%

    Recruiting class: #28 national

    6%

    Returning production: 65%

    2%

    Preseason blend — SP+ weight rises when 2026 numbers publish (Aug). How we rank · not a betting line.

    Portal

    13 adds in two-deep · avg 76 OVR · top add: T. Bush Jr. (RUSH, 90, from California)

    Camp battles to watch4
    Coach MinnesotaTake them from week one to the natty. You call every play.
    DAILY PICKSMake your picks.Today's games. No account needed.

    Updated Sep 24, 2026 · Data from public sources

    Who starts for Minnesota?

    Minnesota Golden Gophers starting lineup

    Drake Lindsey is the projected starting quarterback for Minnesota as of September 24, 2026. Max Shikenjanski is listed second.

    Minnesota also projects Darius Taylor at running back, Jalen Smith at wide receiver and Pierce Walsh at tight end.

    The full Minnesota Golden Gophers two-deep was last updated September 24, 2026. Preseason depth charts are projections and change through fall camp.

    Drake Lindsey · QBDarius Taylor · RBJalen Smith · WR-XPierce Walsh · TE

    Common questions

    Who is Minnesota's starting quarterback?
    Drake Lindsey is the projected starting quarterback for Minnesota as of September 24, 2026. Max Shikenjanski is listed second.
    Who starts at running back for Minnesota?
    Darius Taylor is the projected starter at running back for Minnesota, with TJ Thomas listed second.
    Who starts at wide receiver for Minnesota?
    Jalen Smith is the projected starter at wide receiver for Minnesota, with Hayden Moore listed second.
    Who starts at tight end for Minnesota?
    Pierce Walsh is the projected starter at tight end for Minnesota, with Kaden Helms listed second.
    When was the Minnesota Golden Gophers depth chart last updated?
    The Minnesota Golden Gophers depth chart on Who's Starting was last updated September 24, 2026. It refreshes daily through the season.
    What was Minnesota's record last season?
    Minnesota Golden Gophers finished 8-5 (5-4 in Big Ten play).
    When does Minnesota Golden Gophers play next?
    Minnesota Golden Gophers plays Washington away on Sat, Sep 26. The listed kickoff time is 11:00 PM ET.

    Full Minnesota roster

    Every player on the Minnesota Golden Gophers depth chart, by position.

    Offense

    WR: Jalen Smith, Hayden Moore, Bradley Martino

    WR: Noah Jennings, Quayd Hendryx, Josiah Dozier

    WR: Javon Tracy, Zion Steptoe, Donielle Hayes

    LT: Nathan Roy, Kaveon Lee

    LG: Greg Johnson, Jerome Williams

    C: Ashton Beers, Mark Handy

    RG: Tony Nelson, Jaden Ball, Nick Spence

    RT: Daniel Shipp, Bennett Warren, Gavin Meier

    TE: Pierce Walsh, Kaden Helms, Julian Johnson, George Rohl, Roman Voss

    QB: Drake Lindsey, Max Shikenjanski, Brady Palmer

    RB: Darius Taylor, TJ Thomas, A.J. Turner, Xavier Ford, Niko Castillo

    Defense

    DE: Anthony Smith, Jaxon Howard, Sam Macy, Rhett Hlavacka

    NT: Naquan Crowder, Jaylin Hicks, Xion Chapman, Sid Kaba

    DT: Theorin Randle, Riley Sunram, Mo Saine, Jay'Quan Stubbs

    RUSH: TJ Bush Jr., Karter Menz, Adam Kissayi, Aaden Aytch

    WLB: Matt Kingsbury, Joey Gerlach, Mason Carrier, Ethan Stendel

    MLB: Maverick Baranowski, Emmanuel Karmo, Nate Cleveland

    CB: Aydan West, Mike Gerald, Justin Hopkins

    SS: Zack Harden, Mekhai Smith, Jordan Lampkins

    FS: Kerry Brown, Trason Richardson, Tavian White

    CB: John Nestor, Naiim Parrish, Chance Payne

    NB: Aidan Gousby, Garrison Monroe, Parker Knutson

    RES: Elisha West, Enoch Atewogbola, Brett Carroll, Ryan Estrada, Zahir Rainer

    Special Teams

    PT: Tom Weston, Zachary Robbins

    PK: Luke Drzewiecki, Daniel Jackson

    KO: Beckham Sunderland

    LS: Alan Soukup, Jakob Lutz

    H: Tom Weston, Zachary Robbins

    PR: Javon Tracy, Braiden Stevens

    KR: Quayd Hendryx