PHOENIX — The Gophers will be shorthanded at receiver and cornerback for the Rate Bowl against New Mexico at Chase Field on Friday.
Senior wideout Le’Meke Brockington, who led Minnesota with 46 receptions and 484 yards, has opted out in preparations for the NFL draft in April. He is the only clear Gopher to forgo a chance to play in the bowl game.
A year ago, the Gophers had six players opt out of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl win over Virginia Tech in Charlotte.
This year Minnesota unfolded a clause in players’ revenue sharing contracts with a payment for being on the active roster for the bowl game. That could be helping keep some of the roster intact.
Besides Brockington, Minnesota has had five receivers announce intent to enter the transfer portal over the next month. With the portal opening in less than a week, Jan. 2, most of them are not with the team in Arizona.
No. 2 and 3 wideouts, Javon Tracy and Jalen Smith, are active, with Bradley Martino, Logan Loya and Donielle Hayes contenders to get more time. Safety Koi Perich is a candidate to play more both ways; the sophomore had three receptions for 55 yards and three rushes for 11 yards this season.
In the secondary, cornerbacks Za’Quan Bryan and Jai’Onte’ McMillan were listed as out on the Gophers’ unavailability report issued two hours before kickoff.
Without Bryan in the Wisconsin game on Nov. 29, safety Aidan Gousby played corner in the 17-7 win over the Badgers. Against the Lobos, Gousby and Mike Gerald are candidates to play opposite John Nestor.
The Gophers had a total of 16 players listed as out: running back A.J. Turner (out for season; knee), defensive tackle Mo Omonode (season; back), linebacker Joey Gerlach (season; knee) and defensive tackle Theorin Randle (foot).
Minnesota is also without third and fourth-string quarterbacks Dylan Wittke and Emmett Morehead. With Jackson Kollock going into the portal, the third string QB is unknown behind starter Drake Lindsey and Max Shikenjanski.
The Gophers were also without offensive lineman Kahlee Tafai and Aluma Nkele; defnesive backs Simon Seidlnand Evan Redding; linebacker Drew Wilson; kicker Sam Henson; defensive tackle Sam Macy.
Minnesota listed safety Garrison Monroe and offensive lineman Daniel Shipp as questionable.
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