The Minnesota Golden Gophers are gearing up for the 2025 Rate Bowl down in Phoenix, where they’ll square off against the New Mexico Lobos. For head coach P.J.
Fleck, this marks his seventh bowl appearance at the helm in Minneapolis - and so far, he’s been perfect in postseason play, sitting at 6-0. But as any college football fan knows, bowl season in today’s landscape is anything but predictable.
Between the transfer portal spinning like a roulette wheel and the coaching carousel moving at warp speed, stability has become one of the most valuable currencies in the sport. Just look around the country - programs are watching players and coaches come and go with stunning frequency. And yet, Minnesota has managed to hold its ground, thanks in large part to a strong internal culture and a well-organized NIL infrastructure.
Key Starters Recommit to Gophers for 2026
That stability was on full display this week when two of Minnesota’s top contributors - cornerback John Nestor and offensive lineman Greg Johnson - announced they’ll not only suit up for the Rate Bowl but also return for the 2026 season. The announcements came via Dinkytown Athletes, Minnesota’s official NIL collective, which has played a pivotal role in keeping key players in maroon and gold.
For Johnson, the return is a big win for the Gophers’ offensive line. The veteran guard started all 14 games this season, 10 of them at left guard - his most natural position - and he was a rock in pass protection.
According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson finished the year as the 28th-highest graded guard in the country with an overall score of 73.3. His pass-blocking grade?
An impressive 82.5. He’s got one year of eligibility left, and he’ll be anchoring that interior line once again in 2026.
Then there’s Nestor, whose impact is impossible to miss - both on tape and on the stat sheet. The sophomore corner led the Gophers in interceptions with five, one of which he took to the house.
He also tallied 47 tackles, six tackles for loss, and six pass breakups. His Pro Football Focus grades back up the eye test: 77.9 overall, 76.5 in coverage, and 79.8 in run support.
Simply put, Nestor’s been a playmaker all year, and with two years of eligibility remaining, Minnesota is getting back a cornerstone of its secondary.
Navigating the Chaos of Modern Bowl Season
The fact that both players are not only playing in the bowl game but also committing to next season is no small feat. In today’s college football world, bowl rosters are often a shell of what they were just a month prior. With the transfer portal wide open and NFL Draft declarations rolling in, it’s become common for teams to enter bowl games with a patchwork lineup.
That’s what makes Minnesota’s situation unique - and enviable. While many programs are scrambling to fill holes, the Gophers are bringing back proven starters.
It’s a reflection of the culture Fleck has built and the infrastructure supporting it, particularly through NIL efforts like Dinkytown Athletes. In a sport that’s becoming more and more transient, the Gophers are showing what it looks like to build and retain a core.
What It Means Moving Forward
This Rate Bowl matchup isn’t just one more game for Minnesota - it’s a chance to put a bow on a season that’s been defined by resilience and continuity. And with key players like Johnson and Nestor already locked in for 2026, it’s also a preview of what’s to come.
In a college football era where change is the only constant, the Gophers are doing something increasingly rare: they’re building something sustainable. And that starts with keeping their best talent in-house - not just for one more game, but for the long haul.