Minnesota Golden Gophers Depth Chart

82
78
OFF
84
DEF
Solid
Matchup
Big Ten1-1 (2026)#28 Recruiting65% Returning
Depth Chart· Updated Sep 18, 2026· Two-deep · Public sources
QB
  1. 5
    83
    Drake LindseyRS SO
    Starter
  2. 6
    60
    Max ShikenjanskiRS JR
  3. 14
    51
    Dylan WittkeRS JR/TR
RB
  1. 1
    85
    Darius TaylorSR
    Starter
  2. 23
    73
    TJ ThomasJR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 20
    55
    Ryan EstradaFR
WR-X
  1. 8
    83
    Jalen SmithRS SO
    Starter
  2. 84
    61
    Hayden MooreFR
  3. 18
    61
    Donielle HayesRS JR
WR-Z
  1. 13
    82
    Noah JenningsSR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 89
    61
    Quayd HendryxFR
  3. 3
    61
    Perry ThompsonJR/TR
    TRANSFER
SLOT
  1. 11
    82
    Javon TracyRS SR/TR
    Starter
  2. 25
    73
    Zion SteptoeRS SR/TR
    TRANSFER
TE
  1. 82
    64
    Julian JohnsonRS SO
    Starter
  2. 19
    60
    Pierce WalshRS JR
  3. 87
    60
    Kaden HelmsRS SR/TR
    TRANSFER
LT
  1. 50
    83
    Nathan RoyRS SO
    Starter
  2. 60
    68
    Kaveon LeeRS FR
LG
  1. 65
    74
    Greg JohnsonSR
    Starter
  2. 55
    74
    Jerome WilliamsRS JR
C
  1. 78
    74
    Ashton BeersRS SR
    Starter
  2. 56
    68
    Brett CarrollRS SO
RG
  1. 59
    74
    Tony NelsonRS SR
    Starter
  2. 58
    61
    Jaden BallRS SO/TR
RT
  1. 51
    74
    Daniel ShippRS FR
    Starter
  2. 68
    74
    Bennett WarrenRS SO/TR
    TRANSFER

Next game kickoff time

Minnesota Golden Gophers plays Akron at home on Sat, Sep 19. The listed kickoff time is 12:00 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?vs Akron · Sat, Sep 19 · 12:00 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

    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

    15 adds in two-deep · avg 77 OVR · top add: T. Bush Jr. (RUSH, 85, from California)

    Camp battles to watch4
    Coach MinnesotaTake them from week one to the natty. You call every play.

    Updated Sep 18, 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 18, 2026. Max Shikenjanski is listed second.

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

    The full Minnesota Golden Gophers two-deep was last updated September 18, 2026. Preseason depth charts are projections and change through fall camp.

    Drake Lindsey · QBDarius Taylor · RBJalen Smith · WR-XJulian Johnson · TE

    Common questions

    Who is Minnesota's starting quarterback?
    Drake Lindsey is the projected starting quarterback for Minnesota as of September 18, 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?
    Julian Johnson is the projected starter at tight end for Minnesota, with Pierce Walsh 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 18, 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 Akron at home on Sat, Sep 19. The listed kickoff time is 12:00 PM ET.

    Full Minnesota roster

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

    Offense

    WR: Jalen Smith, Hayden Moore, Donielle Hayes, Bradley Martino

    WR: Noah Jennings, Quayd Hendryx, Perry Thompson

    WR: Javon Tracy, Zion Steptoe

    LT: Nathan Roy, Kaveon Lee

    LG: Greg Johnson, Jerome Williams

    C: Ashton Beers, Brett Carroll

    RG: Tony Nelson, Jaden Ball

    RT: Daniel Shipp, Bennett Warren

    TE: Julian Johnson, Pierce Walsh, Kaden Helms, Jacob Simpson, Roman Voss

    QB: Drake Lindsey, Max Shikenjanski, Dylan Wittke, Michael Merdinger

    RB: Darius Taylor, TJ Thomas, Ryan Estrada, A.J. Turner, Zeke Bates

    Defense

    DE: Anthony Smith, Jaxon Howard, Adam Kissayi

    NT: Riley Sunram, Naquan Crowder, Howie Johnson

    DT: Theorin Randle, Xion Chapman, Sid Kaba, Jaylin Hicks

    RUSH: Karter Menz, TJ Bush Jr.

    WLB: Matt Kingsbury, Emmanuel Karmo, Nate Cleveland, Mason Carrier

    MLB: Maverick Baranowski, Joey Gerlach, Andrew Marshall

    CB: John Nestor, Mike Gerald

    SS: Kerry Brown, Zahir Rainer

    FS: Mekhai Smith, Zack Harden

    CB: Aydan West, Naiim Parrish

    NB: Aidan Gousby, Garrison Monroe

    Special Teams

    PT: Tom Weston, Zachary Robbins

    PK: Luke Drzewiecki, Beckham Sunderland, Daniel Jackson

    KO: Luke Drzewiecki, Beckham Sunderland, Daniel Jackson

    LS: Alan Soukup, Jakob Lutz

    H: Tom Weston, Zachary Robbins

    PR: Noah Jennings, Javon Tracy, Jalen Smith, Quayd Hendryx

    KR: TJ Thomas