With the Gophers’ high school recruiting class solidified Wednesday, more attention will turn to the NCAA’s transfer portal. Minnesota already has seen a handful of players announce their intentions to leave the program.
Over the last two years, the Gophers have had one of the highest retention levels in the country, losing only a few key players each season via the portal. The amount of this winter will come into focus over the next few weeks, but this is a clean time for players to move on given that the U’s first bowl practice is Thursday.
There is only one transfer portal window this offseason, down from two a year ago; it opens Jan. 2 and closes Jan. 16. Here’s who is on their way out:
Reserve receiver Kenric Lanier confirmed Wednesday he is planning to leave the U; the redshirt sophomore from Decatur, Ga., played in 20 total games and caught three passes for 79 yards over 10 games in 2025.
On Tuesday, backup receiver and returner Quintin Redding said he will depart with one year of eligibility remaining; the senior Menomonee Falls., Wis., played in 34 games at Minnesota. Redding had 36 kick returns for 758 yards (21.1-yard average) and 22 punt returns for 166 yards (7.5-yard average) since 2022, but his opportunities dried up with the arrival of Koi Perich.
Also, backup offensive lineman Reese Tripp announced he will leave with three years of eligibility remaining; the redshirt sophomore from Mantorville, Minn., played in only three games at the U and did not see the field in 2025.
And punter Caleb McGrath said he will look for another place to play in his final two years of eligibility; the Apple Valley native and Eastview High School graduate did not play in a game for the Gophers. Current punter Tom Weston has two years of eligibility remaining.
Related Articles
Gophers football: 3 true freshman who might be instant impact on offense
Gophers football: Signing day tracker for 2026 recruiting class
Who’s in the Gopher football top-25 ranked 2026 recruiting class?
Gophers football: Six takeaways on Minnesota’s top-25 recruiting class
Ex-NFL quarterback praises coveted Gophers recruit Justin Hopkins
Leave a Reply