The newest member of the Gophers football program made it official when the early signing period opened Wednesday.
More than 15 of the 31 players expected to sign will enroll at the U, starting in January, which will give them a head start on winter conditioning and allow them to participate in spring practices.
This year, all 10 players pledged to the U from the Eastern time zone signed their financial aid agreements with Minnesota. A year ago, that wasn’t the case as Georgia prep running back Shane Marshall flipped to Georgia Tech at the last minute.
Here’s the tracker:
East
6:08 a.m. — Receiver Quayd Hendryx, Atco, N.J., 5-foot-11, 175 pounds
The Gophers said on social media: “Fresh off a second straight New Jersey state championship, (Hendryx) has signed with Minnesota!
Hendryx scored 14 (touchdowns), including two in the 2025 state title game, during his prep career at Winslow Township High School!”
6:13 — Defensive lineman Jeremiah Benson, West Bloomfield, Mich., 6-3, 265. Early enrollee.
“A TFL MACHINE! (Benson) is coming to the ‘U’ via West Bloomfield High School in Michigan!”
6:17 — Defensive lineman Anthony Charles, McDonald, Pa., 6-5, 200
“Athletic, Long and OFFICIALLY a Golden Gopher (Charles) is joining Minnesota’s defensive line out of Pennsylvania!
6:21 — Offensive tackle Lucas Tielsch, Akron, Ohio, 6-7, 320. Early enrollee.
“A MASSIVE talent up front! (Tielsch), an all-state, two-sport athlete from Copley High School in Ohio is officially a Golden Gopher!”
6:28 — Running back Niko Castillo, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., 6-1, 235
“Over 10 yard per carry AND 11 sacks as a senior?! (Castillo) is bringing his versatility to the ‘U’ next season!”
6:33 — Defensive lineman Aaden Aytch, Lafayette, Ind., 6-4, 230
“Dynamic, Explosive and RELENTLESS! (Aytch) has signed with Minnesota after a Lafayette Jefferson career where he posted a school record 20 sacks, six forced fumbles and had 112 total tackles!”
6:39 — Cornerback Chance Payne, Jefferson, Ga., 5-10, 175. Early enrollee.
“BRINGIN’ THE PAYNE! Out of Jefferson High School in Georgia, (Payne) is officially bringing his physical DB skills to the Twin Cities!”
6:43 — Linebacker Angel Luciano, Stilton, Pa., 6-1, 225
“BACKER UP! Two-time Pennsylvania state champion (Luciano) has signed with the ‘U’!”
6:49 — Running back Zeke Bates, Malvern, Pa., 5-11, 220. Early enrollee.
“(Bates) averaged 15.3 yards per rush his senior season at Malvern Prep and now ie is officially a Gopher!”
6:53 — Wide receiver Hayden Moore, Newberry, Fla., 6-1, 190. Early enrollee.
“(Moore) brings his electric style to the Twin Cities after putting up 2,592 receiving yards at Newberry High School in Florida.”
Central
7:07 — Quarterback Owen Lansu, Downers Grove, Ill., 6-1, 185. Early enrollee.
“An absolute GAMER! (Lansu) brings in over 60 touchdowns and 5,000 passing yards in his high school career.”
7:13 — Safety Trason Richardson, Rosharon, Texas, 6-0, 180. Early enrollee.
“Adding ANOTHER ball-hawking DB! (Richardson) has signed and adds even more talent to Minnesota’s defensive backfield!”
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