The Gophers have had 19 total players from its 2025 roster share intent to enter the transfer portal when it opened on Friday.
Minnesota has one clear-cut headliner in that group: all-Big Ten sophomore safety Koi Perich. And two other key players from last year’s team: redshirt sophomore cornerback Za’Quan Bryan and redshirt freshman running back Fame Ijeboi.
The majority of this group were role players, little-used backups, hardly-knew-ye freshmen or walk-ons.
Here’s a synopsis on who is leaving:
Star
Koi Perich, safety
Total snaps: 1,213 defense/338 special teams/45 offense
The two-time All-Big Ten performer rocked the program and its fanbase with his decision to enter the portal going public late Thursday night. The Esko, Minn., native was outstanding as a true freshman in 2024 (five interceptions and and 46 tackles), but wasn’t as sharp last fall (one pick and 82 tackles). His overall grade from Pro Football Focus also dipped from 88.9 to 62.4. After gaining 26 games of experience at the U, including as a kick and punt returner and on offense, he likely will spend his upperclassman year(s) at a school contenting for a spot in next year’s College Football Playoff.
Key players
Za’Quan Bryan, cornerback
Total snaps: 731 defense/226 special teams
The Savanah, Ga., native moved into the starting lineup in 2025 and totaled 36 tackles and three pass break-ups in 11 games. He played through a shoulder injury in November. In spot duty in 2024, Bryan had a 73.1 overall grade from PFF in 266 snaps, but that mark went to 60.3 in 440 last fall. He played in 24 total games at Minnesota.
Fame Ijeboi, running back
Total snaps: 220 offense
The 6-foot, 210-pound tailback from Folcroft, Pa., stepped up when starter Darius Taylor was sidelined during the 2025 season and finished with 461 yards on 97 carries (4.5-yard average) and two touchdowns last fall. He added 12 receptions for 54 yards and one TD. The depth and experience in the Gophers’ running back room took a hit when he decided to move on.
Role players
Malachi Coleman, receiver
Total snaps: 174 offense
The Nebraska transfer receiver didn’t play any snaps against FBS competition until Week 7 against Purdue last fall and finished the season with five receptions for 83 yards in eight games. The 6-foot-5 target and former four-star prospect from Lincoln, Neb., will be looking for his third school this winter.
Kenric Lanier, receiver
Total snaps: 218 offense
One of the top recruits in the Gophers’ 2023 recruiting class had only three receptions for 79 yards in 10 games in 2025 and one grab for 17 yards in 2024. The 6-foot-1 Decatur, Ga., native has two years of eligibility remaining.
Notables
The Gophers’ quarterback in the 2025 class, Jackson Kollock of Laguna Beach, Calif., was a scout-team standout last fall, but didn’t see any game action and will immediately seek his second school. … Washington transfer offensive lineman Kahlee Tafai is taking off after playing sparingly in four games last year. … Quentin Redding of Menomonee Falls., Wis., was a key kick and punt returner at the U from 2021-23 and played in 35 total games at the U. … Penn State transfer Cristian Driver, the son of Packers wideout Donald Driver, didn’t play in 2025 after having seven receptions in 11 games in 2024. … Massive offensive tackle Reese Tripp of Mantorville, Minn., played a bit in three games a year ago. … True freshman Legend Lyons of Corvina, Calif., is gone; the receiver didn’t see the field last fall. … Freshman running back Johann Cardenas, a transfer from Vanderbilt, immediately left the U program in August. … True freshman tailback Tre Berry parted ways with the team in November.
Walk-ons
These players have also exited: redshirt sophomore defensive back Ethan Carrier from Detroit Lakes; redshirt sophomore punter Caleb McGrath from Eastview High School; redshirt freshman defensive back Harrison Brun from Rockford High School; redshirt sophomore linebacker Drew Wilson from Mequon, Wis.; redshirt senior kicker David Kemp from Jacksonville, Fla.; and redshirt junior punter Brody Richter from Scottsdale, Ariz.
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