On game days, John Nestor wears his heart on his sleeve, so it’s easy to see how much the Gophers cornerback loves football. He hypes up the crowd and teammates alike. He will do it in front of more than 100,000 hostile fans at No. 1 Ohio State or in the friendly confines of Huntington Bank Stadium.
Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back John Nestor (17) breaks up a pass intended for California Golden Bears wide receiver Trond Grizzell (7) in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
“Every play he is jumping around with passion and energy and you see the same guy in practice,” Gophers defensive coordinator Danny Collins said before Friday’s home game against No. 25 Nebraska. “… The more guys we can get on the field that are like that, that love football, that play the game for their brother, (the better). I love coaching him, because that attitude he brings every single day. It’s infectious.”
It’s become cliche for coaches to say they wish they could clone a certain player to get more of that guy on the field, and in a spinoff of that axiom, the Gophers wish they had more success stories like Nestor via the NCAA transfer portal after the 2024 season.
At the season’s halfway point, Nestor — a transfer from the rival Iowa Hawkeyes — is the clearcut top player among more than 20 additions Minnesota made last offseason.
“I don’t think you’re ever going to be 100%,” head coach P.J. Fleck told the Pioneer Press of his assessment of the transfer class. “Again, you have to speed date, right? So you’re looking for what fits you, what does the depth look like, what is the need of that person coming in here. I think we’ve had a lot of transfers help us in a huge way. And I think we’ve had some guys that have some developing to still do, and we know that going into that.”
One of the keys to the success of Nestor, Fleck said, was how the Gophers recruited him coming out of Chicago and knew the type of player and person he was.
Nestor has played 90% of Minnesota’s defensive snaps this season, with Pro Football Focus giving him an above-average overall grade (67.2). The Chicago native has a team-high three interceptions, and five pass-breakups and is fourth with 21 total tackles.
Up front
The biggest letdowns through six games has been the transfer reinforcements along both lines.
On the offensive side, Dylan Ray (Kentucky) and Marcellus Marshall (Central Florida) are part of a group that has struggled to create holes for a running game that ranks outside the top 100 in the nation. In pass protection, they are No. 1 and 2 in pressures allowed for Minnesota this season, per PFF.
On the defensive side, tackle Rushawn Lawrence (FCS-level Stony Brook) has contributed on more than 40% of total snaps, with 11 tackles and one sack. After that, zilch.
Tackle Mo Omonode (Purdue) was ruled out with a season-ending injury before the opening game, and edge Steven Curtis (FCS-level Illinois State) has not yet played in a game despite not being on the unavailability reports.
NIL ceiling
Defensive line, for instance, is considered a premium position in the portal, meaning bigger name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation. The Gophers are trying to be competitive in that marketplace, but there is a ceiling on what they can offer players relative to other, bigger schools. And in turn, that limits the size and talent level of those they can sign.
“We’re never going to get the highest-ranked transfer and the No. 1 transfer in the in the portal, nor are we going to be the highest paid,” Fleck said. “But we’re going to look for guys that fit us. Some guys can help and some guys can’t.”
Still need development
This look at the transfer class is a midterm assessment in more than one way. Half of the Gophers incoming transfers have additional years of eligibility remaining beyond 2025.
That’s good news for the likes of Jaylen Bowden, a cornerback from FCS-level North Carolina Central. While he joined before spring practice, Bowden is still learning the system and needs to become more consistent on the practice field before playing in the Big Ten.
With Bowden needing more time — and having 2026 to show growth — the Gophers turned to Jai’Onte’ McMillan when injuries at corner stacked up before the Purdue game. Primarily a nickel back, McMillan played 31 snaps at outside corner and had a vital pass-breakup on fourth down that helped seal the win over the Boilermakers.
After walking on at TCU and playing three seasons, McMillan is in his second year at Minnesota.
“It’s way smoother,” McMillan said about his second go-round. “The first year you have to learn the ins and outs of everything.”
Some help on offense
The Gophers have received contributions from five offensive skills players via the portal. The top one has been receiver Javon Tracy from Miami (Ohio), who is tied for first No. 1 in receiving yards (253) and sits at No. 2 on the team in targets (28), receptions (16) and touchdowns (two).
AJ Turner, a running back from Marshall, was contributing with 16 carries for 64 yards and one score before his season ended with an apparent knee injury in the loss at California in Week 3. Turner and Tracy have eligibility beyond 2025.
Tailback Cam Davis (Washington), tight end Drew Biber (Purdue) and receiver Logan Loya (UCLA) have each played more than 100 snaps and have had a handful of touches. They are done after this fall.
Tidbits
Athletic wideout Malachi Coleman, a transfer from Nebraska, received his first target in a FBS game against Purdue. The Lincoln, Neb., native has been considered raw and still two years to play after 2025. … Punter Tom Weston, who also has two years remaining, has been a quality addition from Division II Ouachita Baptist in Arkansas. He has a 45.8-yard average with eight punts landed inside the 20-yard line and nine traveling more than 50 yards. … Kicker Brady Denaburg has made eight of 11 field goals and has 27 touchbacks on 30 kickoffs, but is 1-for-4 on field goals over 40 yards. … Offensive lineman Kahlee Tafai (Washington) and Jaden Ball (Purdue) both have multiple years of eligibility left. … Linebacker Jeff Roberson (Oklahoma State) has played 39 fill-in snaps. … Quarterback Emmett Morehead (Old Dominion/Boston College) was brought in to provide veteran experience behind first-year starter Drake Lindsey, but he appears to be fourth on the depth chart behind No. 2 Max Shikenjanski and Dylan Wittke, a second-year transfer from Virginia Tech.
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