Gophers redshirt freshman running back Johann Cardenas has left the football program, a source confirmed to the Pioneer Press on Wednesday.
The Katy, Texas, native joined Minnesota via the NCAA transfer portal after his freshman season at Vanderbilt, where new running backs coach Jayden Everett was an assistant for the 2023 season.
Cardenas didn’t stay at the U for more than a week of fall training camp. He was not spotted during Tuesday’s open-to-reporters practice at Huntington Bank Stadium.
The Gophers’ running back room has a clear-cut starter in junior Darius Taylor and two veteran transfers in A.J. Turner (Marshall) and Cam Davis (Washington), along with one intriguing freshman, Fame Ijeboi of Folcroft, Pa.
On Tuesday, Taylor and Turner were named preseason candidates for the Doak Walker Award that goes to the nation’s most outstanding running back.
Last fall, Taylor totaled 1,336 all-purpose yards (986 rushing and 350 receiving), with 12 touchdowns in 12 games. He added a 10-yard touchdown pass.
At Marshall last year, Turner had 127 rushes for 984 yards and six TDs on the ground, along with 13 grabs for 94 yards and three TDs.
At Washington last year, Davis had 44 carries for 190 yards, with 14 receptions for 156 yards. He has 1,093 yards across his career, primarily coming in 2021-22.
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