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!”

This past week proved that, in fantasy football, bad matchups and poor circumstances can ruin the best of lineups.

We opined last week that you might want to sit two NFL greats: Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Resumes aside, we thought fantasy mavens couldn’t count on them to produce in Week 13.

Jackson wound up going touchdown free, barely completing half of his passes. Jefferson did even worse: a two-catch, four-yard game in his most ineffective performance since Pony League.

We’re just one week from the three-week fantasy playoff run. Here are 10 guys whose matchups in Weeks 15-17 are far less than optimal:

Breece Hall (Jets RB) — He managed only his third rushing touchdown last week. And with Jaguars, Saints and Patriots coming up, he’ll have to work really hard to add his fourth.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 13: Breece Hall #20 of the New York Jets is pursued by Christian Gonzalez #0 of the New England Patriots during the second half of a game at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)

R.J. Harvey (Broncos RB) — Denver rookie looked great at times last Sunday night, but he has three tough run defenses ahead in Packers, Jaguars and Chiefs.

LANDOVER, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 30: RJ Harvey #12 of the Denver Broncos scores a rushing touchdown against the Washington Commanders during overtime at Northwest Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Rico Dowdle (Panthers RB) — He’s losing touches to teammate Chuba Hubbard lately, and neither will thrive in upcoming games against the Saints, Bucs and Seahawks.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Rico Dowdle #5 of the Carolina Panthers is tackled by Jordan Elliott #92 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of the game at Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Jaylen Warren (Steelers RB) — Another back sharing too much work with a teammate (Kenneth Gainwell). And the run defenses of Dolphins, Lions and Browns are all above average.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 16: Jaylen Warren #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Xavier Worthy (Chiefs WR) — Easy game against Titans is sandwiched by games with Chargers and Broncos. It’s also obvious now he’s clearly behind Rashee Rice in the pecking order.

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 02: Maxwell Hairston #31 of the Buffalo Bills intercepts a pass intended for Xavier Worthy #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter in the game at Highmark Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Rome Odunze (Bears QB) — Sophomore has only one TD catch in his past eight games, and Bears’ next three foes (Browns, Packers, 49ers) will make QB Caleb Williams sweat.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 28: Rome Odunze #15 of the Chicago Bears runs out of bounds after a catch against Sydney Brown #21 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Dalton Kincaid (Bills TE) — Has only nine catches in three games since returning from injury, and Buffalo has three tough defenses ahead in Patriots, Browns and Eagles.

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 05: Dalton Kincaid #86 of the Buffalo Bills makes a catch and is tackled by Craig Woodson #31 of the New England Patriots in the third quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Sam Darnold (Seahawks QB) — Former Viking has cooled off over the past month, and his next three are against Colts, Rams (who just intercepted him four times) and Panthers.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 30: Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks fumbles the ball while being hit by Dallas Turner #15 of the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter of a game at Lumen Field on November 30, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Caleb Williams (Bears QB) — As alluded to earlier, the Chicago sophomore will have his newfound proficiency tested by three of the NFL’s better defenses.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams reacts during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Jared Goff (Lions QB) — Detroit needs him to step up in order to claim a playoff berth, and with the next three against the Rams, Steelers and Vikings, it’s not a certainty he will.

Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Sitting stars

Don’t count on Chicago RBs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai repeating their Black Friday magic against the Packers’ tough defense. … Same goes for Chargers RB Kimani Vidal against a bruised Eagles D. … Vegas RB Ashton Jeanty has almost no blocking to speak of and will have another long day against Denver. … Tua Tagovailoa will continue to disappoint against the Jets’ defense, and that will make WR Jaylen Waddle “almost” unstartable. … Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is again an iffy QB choice versus Pittsburgh. … And two quarterbacks we expect to be mostly kept in check are Arizona’s Jacoby Brissett against the Rams and … yes … the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes against Houston’s top-shelf defense.

Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Matchup game

Someone is going to thrive for Cleveland this week against 1-11 Tennessee. It won’t be Shedeur Sanders. It very likely will be RB Quinshon Judkins. … The Lions will need to run roughshod through Dallas, and Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery will. … Tampa Bay RB Bucky Irving looked strong in his return from injury and will post strong numbers versus New Orleans. … Vikings have little choice but to rely on RB Jordan Mason against Washington. … Seattle wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba was mostly quiet against the Vikings, but he’ll rebound facing that Atlanta defense. … Two receivers that will stay hot are Houston’s Nico Collins against the Chiefs and Jacksonville’s Jakobi Meyers versus the Colts. … And the Bills’ defense better be ready, because Cincy quarterback Joe Burrow is BACK!

Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (10) runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Cleveland. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)

Injury watch

Couple of big injuries over the long weekend. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert broke a bone in his non-throwing hand, and it remains to be seen if he will miss time. … Detroit star wideout Amon-Ra St Brown sprained his ankle early on Thanksgiving, and he’s considered week to week for the suddenly desperate Lions. … Players considered questionable include four running backs (Vikings’ Aaron Jones, New Orleans’ Alvin Kamara, Arizona’s Trey Benson and the Chargers’ Omarion Hampton) and four pass catchers (Dallas’ George Pickens, Atlanta’s Drake London, Arizona’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins).

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Deepest sleeper

Sleepers don’t get any deeper than Atlanta receiver David Sills V, the only NFL player we’re aware of who rocks the V in his name. He has caught a touchdown pass in each of the past two games in which former Viking Kirk Cousins has started at quarterback for the Falcons. So he’s hot. Those are also his only two scores since arriving in the league with the 2021 Giants. If you put your faith in him making it three straight, you’re a braver fantasy maven than I.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver David Sills V (87) celebrates hios touchdown against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Thursday pick

Cowboys at Lions (-2½)
Pick: Lions by 3

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) pulls away from Green Bay Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine (24) during the first half an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X– @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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Today is Wednesday, Dec. 3, the 337th day of 2025. There are 28 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Dec. 3, 2015, Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered the armed services to open all military jobs to women, removing the final barriers that had kept women from serving in combat.

Also on this date:

In 1947, the Tennessee Williams play “A Streetcar Named Desire” opened on Broadway.

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In 1967, a surgical team in Cape Town, South Africa, led by Dr. Christiaan Barnard, performed the first human heart transplant on Louis Washkansky, who lived 18 days with the donated organ from a 25-year-old woman who had died in a traffic accident.

In 1979, 11 people were killed in a crush of fans at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Coliseum, where the British rock group The Who was performing.

In 1984, a cloud of methyl isocyanate gas escaped from a pesticide plant operated by a Union Carbide subsidiary in Bhopal, India, causing an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 deaths and more than 500,000 injuries.

In 1989, U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev concluded two days of positive bilateral discussions in Malta in a symbolic end to the Cold War.

In 1991, American hostage Alann Steen was freed by Shiite Muslim extremists in Lebanon. Steen was kidnapped from Beirut University College in January 1987. (He died in 2018.)

In 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, trying to overcome an opposition-dominated legislature that blocked his agenda. Yoon was later impeached, removed from office and rearrested in July 2025 after his conservative party lost a special election to choose his successor.

Today’s Birthdays:

Singer Jaye P. Morgan is 94.
Rock singer Mickey Thomas is 76.
Actor Daryl Hannah is 65.
Actor Julianne Moore is 65.
Olympic figure skating gold medalist Katarina Witt is 60.
Actor Brendan Fraser is 57.
Singer Montell Jordan is 57.
Actor Holly Marie Combs is 52.
Actor/comedian Tiffany Haddish is 46.
Actor Anna Chlumsky (KLUHM’-skee) is 45.
Actor Liza Lapira is 44.
Actor Dascha Polanco is 43.
Actor Amanda Seyfried is 40.
Rapper Lil Baby is 31.
Actor Jake T. Austin is 31.

Wild rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt had seen plenty of the Edmonton Oilers on TV in the past few years, and admitted that they looked impressive. But prior to Tuesday, Wallstedt had never seen them in person.

Likewise, the highly-regarded Oilers had never seen the NHL’s hottest young goalie in person. But after 60 minutes of hockey in big-city Alberta, they know Wallstedt much better.

Just hours after being named the NHL’s top rookie for November, Wallstedt began December in the same manner he went about his business last month, stopping all 33 Edmonton shots as the Wild won 1-0 to open a four-game road trip.

It was Wallstedt’s league-leading fourth shutout, as he improved to 8-0-2 as a starter. Jonas Brodin’s first period goal proved to be the eventual game-winner.

It was Wallstedt’s fourth shutout in his past six games.

The visitors took some time to find their legs, offensively, and were being out-shot 5-1 midway through the first. Then the Wild got the game’s first power play, and while they did not score on the man advantage, it seemed to light a fire under the puck-movers. They headed down the tunnel after 20 minutes with a lead – on Brodin’s blast from the blue line after Nico Sturm won an offensive zone faceoff – and a 9-7 advantage in shots.

It marked the 17th time in 27 games this season that the Wild have scored first.

Edmonton grabbed the momentum in the middle frame, helped in part by a pair of Ryan Hartman trips to the penalty box. The Oilers held a decided 15-6 shots lead in the second, but Minnesota’s penalty killers, and Wallstedt, met the challenge and Minnesota took its one-goal lead into the second intermission.

Minnesota got a third period power play and pressured the Edmonton net, but ended up 0-for-2 on the night with an Oiler in the penalty box.

The night’s best drama came in the final 41 seconds, when Matt Boldy went to the penalty box with Edmonton’s net empty, giving the Oilers a 6-on-4 advantage to end the game. But Joel Eriksson Ek got the puck out of the defensive zone twice, and the Wild held on.

Stuart Skinner, much-maligned as a scapegoat for the Oilers’ below-expectations start to the season, had 23 saves for Edmonton, which will face the Wild again in a few weeks, visiting Grand Casino Arena on Dec. 20

The Wild are one-fourth of the way through their current eight-day western road trip, and will face the Flames in Calgary on Thursday evening. It’s another 8 p.m. CT start. Minnesota blanked Calgary 2-0 last month in St. Paul, in their first meeting of the season.

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