Defensive tackle represents the biggest need on the Gophers’ roster for the 2026 season, and they began to fill it with run-stuffing Marshall transfer Naquan Crowder’s commitment on Monday.
The Gophers are losing its top four defensive tackles for next season, and the 6-foot-3, 319-pounder from Aliquippa, Pa., will have two years of eligibility left for Minnesota.
For the Herd last season, Crowder totaled 26 tackles, three tackles for lost yards and one sack and one forced fumble. Pro Football Focus gave him an outstanding 83.4 run defense grade and an above-average 73.3 overall grade in 318 total snaps.
Crowder spent two seasons at Division II California (Pa.), where he played in one game and redshirted as a true freshman in 2023 and had 51 tackles, 5 1/2 for lost yards and 1 1/2 sacks as a redshirt freshman in 2024.
Crowder is the fifth overall commitment to the U during this transfer portal window.
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