What is happening at the University of Minnesota?
Transfer portal chaos over the weekend saw running back Trent Howland and defensive tackle Jordn Guerad withdraw their commitments to Minnesota, both having announced intentions to transfer to the Gophers less than a week earlier.
Howland de-committed from Minnesota to instead return to Indiana. Guerad, who entered the portal after starring at Florida International, flipped his commitment from Minnesota to Louisville.
“My decision to continue my career as a hoosier had nothing to do with NIL. There were personal issues that led to my commitment to Minnesota that will not be discussed on social media. I am doing what I feel most comfortable with. Respect that!” Howland wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday.
Guerad explained: “I’d like to thank Minnesota for giving me the opportunity to be a part of their program. After talking with my family we have decided to move in a different direction and de-commit.”
The lesson learned is that even when a portal player verbally commits to a new school, it’s not a done deal. Perhaps that’s what former Gophers coach Jerry Kill meant when he was asked about New Mexico State wide receiver Trent Hudson, who has been offered a scholarship to Minnesota, entered the portal.
“That’s not over with yet, so I’m not going to comment on anything portal things,” Kill said about Hudson, according to KTSM-TV.
And while Howland and Guerad were changing plans, the Gophers received verbal commitments from now-former Fresno State quarterback Logan Fife and now-former Texas Christian cornerback Jai’Onte McMillan.
The dizziness doesn’t stop there.
Joe Rossi, the Gophers’ defensive coordinator the past four-plus years, left Minnesota for the same job at Michigan State. A lateral move that perhaps pays him more.
Verbal commits Jide Abasiri, a defensive lineman from Prior Lake High School in the southwestern Twin Cities metro area, and Brady Pretzlaff, a standout linebacker from Gaylord, Michigan, both de-committed in the past week. Abasiri has since committed to USC and Pretzlaff will announce his plans Dec. 20.
Dec. 20 is also the day Koi Perich, a 4-star safety from Esko High School who is the top-ranked prep player in Minnesota, is set to announce his college plans. Perich verbally committed to Minnesota in April, but that was before offers came in from Ohio State, Florida State and Southern Cal.
Meanwhile, Jahmal Banks, a coveted wide receiver who is transferring from Wake Forest, reportedly visited the University of Minnesota on Sunday. He’s also received offers from the likes of Michigan and Notre Dame. He’s just one of a number of players in the portal who have confirmed offers from the Gophers.
What happens next is anyone’s guess, but we’ll try to keep tabs on it all.
