Minnesota Golden Gophers
79
75
OFF
83
DEF
Solid
Matchup
Big Ten8-5 (2025)#28 Recruiting44% Returning
Depth Chart· Updated Aug 4, 2026· Two-deep · Public sources
QB
  1. 5
    78
    Drake LindseyRS SO
    Starter
  2. 6
    56
    Max ShikenjanskiRS JR
  3. 12
    56
    Michael MerdingerRS SO/TR
    TRANSFER
RB
  1. 1
    80
    Darius TaylorSR
    Starter
  2. 2
    58
    A.J. TurnerRS SR/TR
  3. 23
    58
    TJ ThomasJR/TR
    TRANSFER
WR-X
  1. 8
    78
    Jalen SmithRS SO
    Starter
  2. 13
    70
    Noah JenningsSR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 7
    67
    Bradley MartinoRS FR
WR-Z
  1. 3
    73
    Perry ThompsonJR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 18
    63
    Donielle HayesRS JR
SLOT
  1. 11
    77
    Javon TracyRS SR/TR
    Starter
  2. 25
    67
    Zion SteptoeRS SR/TR
    TRANSFER
TE
  1. 87
    70
    Kaden HelmsRS SR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 19
    56
    Pierce WalshRS JR
  3. 82
    48
    Julian JohnsonRS SO
LT
  1. 50
    79
    Nathan RoyRS SO
    Starter
  2. 60
    63
    Kaveon LeeRS FR
LG
  1. 65
    69
    Greg JohnsonSR
    Starter
  2. 58
    57
    Jaden BallRS SO/TR
C
  1. 78
    69
    Ashton BeersRS SR
    Starter
  2. 56
    63
    Brett CarrollRS SO
RG
  1. 59
    69
    Tony NelsonRS SR
    Starter
  2. 55
    69
    Jerome WilliamsRS JR
RT
  1. 68
    81
    Bennett WarrenRS SO/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 51
    63
    Daniel ShippRS FR
2026 Schedule

0 games

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

Team Analysis
WHY #56 IN WS POWER

2025 SP+: 1.5 → 1.4 after regression

65%

Roster talent: 69th percentile

18%

Recruiting class: #28 national

16%

Returning production: 44%

4%

Preseason blend — SP+ weight rises when 2026 numbers publish (Aug). How we rank

Portal

16 adds in two-deep · avg 76 OVR · top add: N. Crowder (NT, 84, from Marshall)

Camp battles to watch1

Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Data from public sources