The Minnesota Gopher football team landed it’s first recruit for the 2022 season on Thursday as it received a commitment from four-star defensive end, Trey Bixby.
First, Happy Birthday to my Mom! I’m not here today without you! ❤️ya
Second, thank you to every single school that showed interest in me or gave me an opportunity at a college education and to play at the next level.
With that said… 👀〽️#RTB #SkiUMah #GoGophers #HYP22 pic.twitter.com/sN4wPqfinP
— Trey Bixby (@TreyBixby_91) August 13, 2020
Bixby is a native of Lakewood, Ohio but was born in Minnesota and saw his options to visit schools limited thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although he didn’t take many visits, he told Gopher Illustrated’s Kyle Goblirsch that his visit to Minnesota, which occurred in the wake of the George Floyd riots, was something that helped him make his decision.
“I saw a community really rallying and uplifting each other during that time,” Bixby said. “I went to the George Floyd memorial site and we saw people of every race and ethnicity donating food and helping support each other. I felt a true sense of community for the first time since I was little.”
A 6-foot-5, 245-pound defensive end, Bixby has an excellent frame that according to Gophers Guru’s Daniel House, has plenty of room to grow heading into his junior season.
“He brings excellent length and upside to the Gophers’ defensive line,” House said. “As a 16-year-old, Bixby is already developing his frame and overall physicality. Bixby has clearly spent time plenty of time working on his strength in the weight room. It is apparent how much of a physical jump he made between his freshman and sophomore years.”
The addition of Bixby continues to show the Gophers’ dominance on the recruiting trail after a banner 2019 season. The Gophers currently ranks 27th in the nation for their 2021 recruiting class, which has four four-star recruits, a record in the internet era.
If reeling in Bixby is any indication, it appears that the cancellation of the 2020 Big Ten season shouldn’t slow the Gophers down as they build toward the future.
