Just 48 hours after running back Trent Howland decided to withdraw his commitment to Minnesota and return to Indiana, the Gophers have received a new commitment from a running back in the transfer portal.
Sieh Bangura, who entered the portal after starring at Ohio University, announced Tuesday that he is “all in” with his commitment to the University of Minnesota.
All in… @Coach_Fleck @ThemNicBoys #RTB pic.twitter.com/dTSYHyL72u
— Sieh Bangura🇸🇱 (@5iehBangura) December 19, 2023
In 28 games at Ohio, he rushed for 1,982 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was also a factor in the passing game, catching 50 passes for 453 yards and three scores.
The Maryland native is listed at 6 feet and 200 pounds. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards with 13 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2022, which earned him the Freshman of the Year award in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and third-team All-MAC honors.
This season, Bangura carried the ball 178 times for 811 yards and seven touchdowns along with 18 receptions for 159 yards and a touchdown.
His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield could be big considering Minnesota has Max Brosmer at quarterback in 2024. Brosmer led the FCS (at New Hampshire) with 3,449 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, and the rumors are that the Gophers will be throwing the ball a lot more in 2024.
Bangura, who has two years of eligibility remaining, joins a Minnesota backfield that features returning runners Darius Taylor II and Jordan Nubin.
