2024 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team explained

Year:	2024
Team:	Minnesota Golden Gophers
Sport:	football
Conference:	Big Ten Conference
Short Conf:	Big Ten
Record:	7–5
Conf Record:	5–4
Head Coach:	P. J. Fleck
Hc Year:	8th
Cooff Coach1:	Matt Simon
Cooc1 Year:	5th
Cooff Coach2:	Greg Harbaugh Jr.
Cooc2 Year:	2nd
Off Scheme:	Multiple
Def Coach:	Corey Hetherman
Dc Year:	1st
Codef Coach1:	Nick Monroe
Codc1 Year:	2nd
Def Scheme:	4–3
Stadium:	Huntington Bank Stadium

The 2024 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represents the University of Minnesota in the Big Ten Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Gophers are led by P. J. Fleck in his eighth year as head coach. They play their home games at the Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Offseason

Acquisitions

Incoming transfers

+ class="nowrap"	2024 Minnesota Golden Gophers incoming transfers
Name	No.	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	Prev. school	Ref.
Max Brosmer	16	QB	6'2	210	Graduate student	Roswell, GA	New Hampshire	^[1] ^[2]
Dylan Wittke	14	QB	6'1	200	Freshman	Buford, GA	Virginia Tech	^[3] ^[4]
Marcus Major	24	RB	6'0	225	Graduate student	Oklahoma City	Oklahoma	^[5] ^[6]
Sieh Bangura	2	RB	6'0	200	Junior	Washington, D.C.	Ohio	^[7] ^[8] ^[9]
Jaren Mangham	8	RB	6'2	240	Graduate student	Detroit	Michigan State	^[10] ^[11]
Tyler Williams	7	WR	6'3	210	Freshman	Waverly, FL	Georgia	^[12] ^[13]
Cristian Driver	4	WR	6'0	190	Sophomore	Flower Mound, TX	Penn State	^[14] ^[15]
Jaylen Varner	–	WR	6'1	179	Graduate student	Marshall, MO	Emporia State
Aluma Nkele	70	OT	6'7	360	Junior	Gardena, CA	UTEP	^[16] ^[17]
Jaxon Howard	1	DE	6'4	250	Freshman	Crystal, MN	LSU	^[18] ^[19]
Adam Kissayi	98	DE	6'8	235	Freshman	Palm Bay, FL	Clemson	^[20] ^[21]
Jai'Onte' McMillan	24	CB	5'10	195	Senior	Atlanta	TCU	^[22] ^[23]
Ethan Robinson	2	CB	6'0	180	Senior	Montgomery, NY	Bucknell	^[24] ^[25]
Sam Henson	30	K	6'2	185	Graduate student	Owatonna, MN	Concordia–St. Paul	^[26]

Sources:^{[27] [28] [29] [26]}

Departures

2024 NFL draft

See main article: 2024 NFL draft.

Outgoing transfers

+ class="nowrap"	2024 Minnesota Golden Gophers outgoing transfers
Name	No.	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	New school	Ref.
Athan Kaliakmanis	8	QB	6'4	215	Senior	Antioch, IL	Rutgers	^[30] ^[31]
Drew Viotto	18	QB	6'4	235	Sophomore	Sault Ste. Marie, ON	Eastern Michigan	^[32] ^[33]
Zach Evans	26	RB	5'9	207	Sophomore	Rockwall, TX	North Texas	^[34]
Max Grand	33	RB	5'9	205	Sophomore	Ellsworth, WI	Augustana (SD)	^[35]
Marquese Williams	–	RB	5'9	175	Freshman	Harrisburg, PA	Akron	^[36]
Zach Jorgensen	28	WR	6'2	200	Freshman	Fairmont, MN	Northern State	^[37]
Dino Kaliakmanis	80	WR	6'2	205	Senior	Antioch, IL	Rutgers	^[38]
Cade Osterman	20	WR	6'1	185	Sophomore	Elk River, MN	North Dakota State	^[39]
Dallas Sims	12	WR	6'2	205	Freshman	Clearwater, FL	Old Dominion
Jaylen Varner	–	WR	6'1	179	Graduate student	Marshall, MO
J. J. Guedet	50	OT	6'8	315	Senior	Washington, IL	Illinois State	^[40] ^[41]
De'Eric Mister	67	OT	6'6	300	Sophomore	Gary, IN	Howard	^[42]
Logan Purcell	79	OT	6'7	300	Junior	Annandale, MN		^[43]
Tyrell Lawrence	73	G	6'7	355	Junior	Milton, ON	Alabama A&M	^[44]
Cade McConnell	70	G	6'5	300	Sophomore	Choctaw, OK	Vanderbilt	^[45]
Trey Bixby	98	DE	6'4	250	Sophomore	Eden Prairie, MN	Minnesota Duluth	^[46]
Colton Gregersen	28	DE	6'2	250	Sophomore	Burnsville, MN
Tyler Bride	3	CB	5'10	185	Graduate student	Norcross, GA	Jacksonville State	^[47] ^[48]
Victor Pless	26	CB	5'10	175	Senior	Kennesaw, GA	Mercer	^[49]
Tariq Watson	24	CB	5'10	185	Sophomore	Gretna, LA	UAB	^[50] ^[51]
Jacob Lewis	48	K	6'2	207	Graduate student	Delaware, OH	Ohio	^[52]

Note: The year (class) is the one they will have with their new team.

Source:^{[28] [53] [29]}

Team departures

+ class="nowrap"	2024 Minnesota Golden Gophers departures
Name	No.	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	Reason
Tre'Von Jones	2	DB	6'0	180	Graduate student	Warrenton, NC	Graduated
Sean Tyler	2	RB	5'9	190	Graduate student	Richton Park, IL	Graduated
Corey Crooms Jr.	4	WR	6'1	195	Graduate student	Country Club Hills, IL	Graduated
Chris Autman-Bell	7	WR	6'1	205	Graduate student	Kankakee, IL	Graduated
Cole Kramer	12	QB	6'1	205	Senior	Eden Prairie, MN	Graduated
Chris Collins	13	DL	6'5	255	Graduate student	Richmond, VA	Graduated
Rowan Zolman	15	LB	6'4	225	Sophomore	Churubusco, IN	Not rostered
Bryce Williams	21	WR	6'0	210	Graduate student	Minneapolis, MN	Graduated
Ryan Selig	33	LB	6'3	235	Graduate student	Lake Villa, IL	Graduated
Ryan Shamburger	36	P	6'2	195	Junior	McKinney, TX	Not rostered
Brady Weeks	37	LS	6'0	225	Graduate student	O'Fallon, MO	Graduated
Cade Larson	41	LB	6'1	225	Freshman	Harrisburg, SD	Not rostered
Karter Shaw	55	OL	6'4	305	Graduate student	South Jordan, UT	Graduated
Nathan Boe	66	OL	6'5	300	Graduate student	Lakeville, MN	Graduated
Jackson Ruschmeyer	68	OL	6'4	300	Junior	Hutchinson, MN	Not rostered
Wyatt Schroeder	82	TE	6'5	255	Senior	St. Francis, MN	Graduated
Brevyn Spann-Ford	88	TE	6'7	270	Graduate student	St. Cloud, MN	Graduated
Kyler Baugh	93	DL	6'2	305	Graduate student	Talihina, OK	Graduated

Game summaries

vs. North Carolina

See also: 2024 North Carolina Tar Heels football team.

vs. Rhode Island (FCS)

See also: 2024 Rhode Island Rams football team.

Statistics	URI	MINN
First downs	6	27
Total yards	135	422
Rushing yards	18	116
Passing yards	117	306
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	13–30–3	27–34–0
Time of possession	19:28	40:32

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Rhode Island	Passing	Devin Farrell	6/18, 76 yards, 2 INT
Rushing	Devin Farrell	4 carries, 9 yards
Receiving	Marquis Buchanan	5 receptions, 64 yards
Minnesota	Passing	Max Brosmer	24/30, 271 yards, 2 TD
Rushing		14 carries, 64 yards, TD
Receiving	Elijah Spencer	4 receptions, 55 yards

vs. Nevada

See also: 2024 Nevada Wolf Pack football team.

Statistics	NEV	MINN
First downs	10	20
Total yards	172	386
Rushing yards	58	195
Passing yards	114	191
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	15–22–3	16–26–1
Time of possession	30:47	29:13

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Nevada	Passing		15/22, 114 yards, 3 INT
Rushing	Patrick Garwo III	7 carries, 23 yards
Receiving	Jaden Smith	1 reception, 25 yards
Minnesota	Passing	Max Brosmer	16/26, 191 yards, TD, INT
Rushing	Darius Taylor	11 carries, 124 yards, 2 TD
Receiving	Daniel Jackson	4 receptions, 61 yards

vs Iowa (rivalry)

See also: 2024 Iowa Hawkeyes football team and Iowa–Minnesota football rivalry.

Statistics	IOWA	MINN
First downs	19	15
Total yards	64–334	58–288
Rushing yards	45–272	21–79
Passing yards	62	209
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	11–19–0	22–37–2
Time of possession	31:43	28:17

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing		11/19, 62 yards
Rushing		21 carries, 206 yards, 3 TD
Receiving	Addison Ostrenga	2 receptions, 20 yards
Minnesota	Passing	Max Brosmer	22/37, 209 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing	Darius Taylor	10 carries, 34 yards
Receiving	Daniel Jackson	9 receptions, 112 yards

at No. 12 Michigan (Little Brown Jug)

See also: 2024 Michigan Wolverines football team and Little Brown Jug (college football trophy).

vs No. 11 USC

See also: 2024 USC Trojans football team.

Statistics	USC	MINN
First downs	22	20
Total yards	66–373	59–362
Rushing yards	28–173	40–193
Passing yards	200	169
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	22–38–2	15–19–0
Time of possession	31:48	31:00

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
USC	Passing		23/38, 200 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing		20 carries, 134 yards, TD
Receiving	Kyron Hudson	5 receptions, 54 yards
Minnesota	Passing	Max Brosmer	15/19, 169 yards
Rushing	Darius Taylor	25 carries, 144 yards
Receiving	Darius Taylor	5 receptions, 56 yards

at UCLA

See also: 2024 UCLA Bruins football team.

vs Maryland

See also: 2024 Maryland Terrapins football team.

at No. 24 Illinois

See also: 2024 Illinois Fighting Illini football team.

at Rutgers

See also: 2024 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team.

vs No. 4 Penn State (Governor's Victory Bell)

See also: 2024 Penn State Nittany Lions football team and Governor's Victory Bell.

at Wisconsin (rivalry)

See also: 2024 Wisconsin Badgers football team and Minnesota–Wisconsin football rivalry.

Notes and References

1. Web site: New Hampshire QB Max Brosmer goes in-depth on his Minnesota Football decision. 247sports.com. December 22, 2023. July 10, 2024.
2. Web site: Introducing Gophers football's newest quarterback: Max Brosmer. mndaily.com. April 1, 2024. July 10, 2024.
3. Web site: Virginia Tech transfer quarterback Dylan Wittke commits to Minnesota Football. 247sports.com. April 23, 2024. July 10, 2024.
4. Web site: Virginia Tech quarterback Dylan Wittke to transfer to Minnesota. thedailygopher.com. April 24, 2024. July 10, 2024.
5. Web site: Minnesota Football lands a commitment from Oklahoma transfer running back Marcus Major. 247sports.com. January 7, 2024. July 10, 2024.
6. Web site: Oklahoma RB Marcus Major to transfer to Minnesota. thedailygopher.com. January 7, 2024. July 10, 2024.
7. Web site: Ohio RB Sieh Bangura to transfer to Minnesota. thedailygopher.com. December 19, 2023. July 10, 2024.
8. Web site: Ohio transfer running back Sieh Bangura 'all in' with Gophers. SI.com. December 19, 2023. July 10, 2024.
9. Web site: Why I'm higher than consensus on Minnesota Football running back Sieh Bangura. 247sports.com. May 21, 2024. July 10, 2024.
10. Web site: Michigan State running back transfer Jaren Mangham commits to Minnesota Football. 247sports.com. May 7, 2024. July 10, 2024.
11. Web site: Michigan State RB transfer Jaren Mangham commits to Minnesota. minnesota.rivals.com. May 7, 2024. July 10, 2024.
12. Web site: Georgia wide receiver Tyler Williams to transfer to Minnesota. thedailygopher.com. April 23, 2024. July 10, 2024.
13. Web site: Former Georgia wide receiver Tyler Williams commits to Minnesota. 247sports.com. April 23, 2024. July 10, 2024.
14. Web site: Penn State WR Cris Driver to transfer to Minnesota. thedailygopher.com. January 7, 2024. July 10, 2024.
15. Web site: Cristian Driver, son of Packers great, commits to Gophers. SI.com. January 7, 2024. July 10, 2024.
16. Web site: UTEP transfer offensive lineman Aluma Nkele commits to Minnesota Football. 247sports.com. April 27, 2024. July 10, 2024.
17. Web site: Minnesota adds UTEP OT transfer Aluma Nkele. minnesota.rivals.com. April 27, 2024. July 10, 2024.
18. Web site: LSU edge rusher Jaxon Howard to transfer to Minnesota. thedailygopher.com. April 19, 2024. July 10, 2024.
19. Web site: LSU transfer defensive lineman Jaxon Howard commits to Minnesota Football. 247sports.com. April 19, 2024. July 10, 2024.
20. Web site: Clemson DE Adam Kissayi to transfer to Minnesota. thedailygopher.com. April 21, 2024. July 10, 2024.
21. Web site: Minnesota Football adds Clemson transfer freshman defensive end Adam Kissayi. 247sports.com. April 21, 2024. July 10, 2024.
22. Web site: TCU CB Jai'Onte' McMillan to transfer to Minnesota. thedailygopher.com. December 17, 2023. July 10, 2024.
23. Web site: Gophers get commitments from Fresno QB Logan Fife, TCU DB Jai'Onte McMillan. SI.com. December 17, 2023. July 10, 2024.
24. Web site: Bucknell CB Ethan Robinson to transfer to Minnesota. thedailygopher.com. December 10, 2023. July 10, 2024.
25. Web site: Why I want to be higher than consensus on Minnesota Football corner transfer Ethan Robinson. SI.com. May 23, 2024. July 10, 2024.
26. Web site: Division II grad transfer kicker Sam Henson commits to Gophers. SI.com. June 6, 2024. June 20, 2024.
27. Web site: Minnesota Football: Who are the new faces for Gopher football? The 2024 incoming transfers.. thedailygopher.com. May 31, 2024. June 20, 2024.
28. Web site: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2024 College Football Transfer Portal. 247Sports.com. June 20, 2024.
29. Web site: Gophers football given No. 2 transfer portal grade in Big Ten. SI.com. May 17, 2024. July 10, 2024.
30. Web site: QB Athan Kaliakmanis transferring to Rutgers from Minnesota. ESPN.com. January 2, 2024. June 20, 2024.
31. Web site: Former Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis commits to Rutgers. SI.com. January 2, 2024. June 20, 2024.
32. Web site: Eastern Michigan University football adds 29 to program after Early Signing Period. easternecho.com. December 20, 2023. June 20, 2024.
33. ViottoDrew. 1733891612936228965. December 10, 2023. Committed!! #ETOUGH.
34. Web site: Jide Abasiri, Zach Evans find new homes away from U. SI.com. December 14, 2023. June 20, 2024.
35. MaxGrand6. 1734401585998938542. December 11, 2023. 100% committed to Augustana University! Let's get to WORK .
36. Web site: Former Bishop McDevitt star Marquese Williams announces transfer to MAC school. pennlive.com. January 5, 2024. June 20, 2024.
37. Web site: Zach Jorgensen - Football. nsuwolves.com. August 22, 2024.
38. Web site: Film Review: How can Dino Kaliakmanis fit into the Rutgers football offense?. rutgerswire.usatoday.com. January 12, 2024. June 20, 2024.
39. Web site: 2022 Minnesota Mr. Football winner Cade Osterman will transfer to NDSU. inforum.com. May 23, 2024. June 22, 2024.
40. Web site: Redbirds Round Out 2024 Recruiting Class With 9 Additions. goredbirds.com. February 7, 2024. June 20, 2024.
41. Web site: Former Washington lineman leaves Big Ten for new college football program closer to home. pjstar.com. December 14, 2024. June 20, 2024.
42. DeEricMister. 1790152081677967408. Locked in.! .
43. Web site: Gophers offensive lineman Logan Purcell enters NCAA transfer portal. twincities.com. April 25, 2024. July 10, 2024.
44. AamufbR. 1737609210127659119. Welcome to the Hill ❗ #LetsEat ⛓ #BeADawg24.
45. Web site: Minnesota transfer OL Cade McConnell commits to Vanderbilt. on3.com. April 19, 2024. June 20, 2024.
46. Web site: Former Gophers 4-star recruit making comeback at Minnesota-Duluth. SI.com. June 19, 2024. June 20, 2024.
47. Web site: Minnesota cornerback Tyler Bride enters the NCAA Transfer Portal. on3.com. January 23, 2024. June 20, 2024.
48. najehwilk. 1791522963969179971. Breaking : Former Minnesota DB Tyler Bride has committed to Jacksonville State, he tells me. @TylerBride2.
49. VictorPless1. 1792324392774496755. 100% committed @MercerFootball #RoarTogether.
50. Web site: Minnesota DB Tariq Watson enters transfer portal. minnesota.rivals.com. April 16, 2024. June 20, 2024.
51. Web site: Introducing the New UAB Football Transfer Portal Signees. uabsports.com. June 3, 2024. June 20, 2024.
52. Web site: Ohio Football Announces Mid-Year Roster Additions. OhioBobcats.com. February 7, 2024. June 20, 2024.
53. Web site: A list of Gophers football players who have entered the transfer portal. SI.com. November 30, 2023. June 22, 2024.