Gophers Face Crucial Transfer Portal Window as Roster Rebuild Continues
PHOENIX - The Gophers capped their season with a gritty 20-17 win over New Mexico in the Rate Bowl, but as the confetti settled, the focus quickly shifted to what comes next - and it's coming fast.
With the transfer portal officially opening on Jan. 2, Minnesota’s football leadership - Athletics Director Mark Coyle, head coach P.J.
Fleck, and general manager Gerrit Chernoff - sat down last week at the Sheraton Grand Resort at Wild Horse Pass to map out their strategy. This wasn’t a one-off meeting.
It was part of an ongoing, behind-the-scenes grind to make sure they’re better positioned in this year’s portal cycle than they were the last time around.
And they know they need to be.
The Gophers wrapped up the year at 8-5, a respectable mark, but one that could’ve been stronger had last year’s transfer haul hit more consistently. The 2023-24 portal cycle brought in over 20 new faces, but the return on investment was mixed - and in today’s NIL and revenue-sharing era, those misses are more costly than ever.
The Clock Is Ticking
This year’s transfer window is shorter and more urgent. With no spring portal window in 2026, players have until Jan. 16 to enter their names, commit, sign, and enroll in time for spring semester. That gives Minnesota just a few weeks to make critical decisions on who stays, who goes, and who they need to bring in.
And this time around, the stakes are higher.
Starting in June, Minnesota enters Year 2 of revenue-sharing payments to players, with roughly $15 million earmarked annually for the football roster. That’s not just a number - it’s a budget that needs to be managed with the precision of a pro front office. To that end, the Gophers have been consulting with Minnesota’s pro teams - the Timberwolves, Vikings, and Wild - to learn how they handle their salary caps and roster construction.
“They talked about the importance of having good data,” Coyle said. “Because if you miss on somebody, it’s a kick in the shins.”
In other words, every dollar counts. And in this new era, every roster spot does too.
Hits, Misses, and Incompletes
There were bright spots in last year’s portal class. Cornerback John Nestor, receiver Javon Tracy, and punter Tom Weston all became key contributors - and they’re all coming back. Right tackle Dylan Ray, defensive tackle Rushawn Lawrence, and kicker Brady Denaburg were solid additions as seniors, but they’re moving on.
Then there’s the group with “incomplete” grades - players who didn’t break out in 2025 but still have eligibility and room to grow heading into 2026. That’s the developmental upside Fleck and his staff are betting on.
But the misses, particularly in the trenches, were hard to ignore. The offensive and defensive lines struggled with consistency and depth all season, and those shortcomings were exposed against more physical Big Ten opponents.
“How do we have to vet players even more to find the right fit?” Fleck asked.
“Gerrit Chernoff and Marcus Hendrickson (director of player personnel) do such a great job of that. They have learned from our past.”
That learning curve will be tested again - and quickly.
What’s Next: Needs, Strategy, and Retention
The Gophers aren’t expected to bring in another 20-plus players this time around. Thanks to a strong retention rate among current players, the roster turnover isn’t expected to be massive. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t critical holes to fill.
Fleck identified three primary needs: defensive line, wide receiver, and offensive line.
On the D-line, the return of edge rusher Anthony Smith for 2026 is a major plus, but the interior is thin. With Deven Eastern, Jalen Logan-Redding, and Rushawn Lawrence out of eligibility, Minnesota needs veteran help up front.
At wide receiver, Le’Meke Brockington’s departure leaves a void. Jalen Smith’s two-touchdown performance in the Rate Bowl was a glimpse of what’s to come, and Tracy will be back. But Minnesota still lacks a true game-breaker - a receiver who can separate, win contested catches, and stretch the field for quarterback Drake Lindsey.
And then there’s the offensive line. The front five had its share of struggles in 2025. Four starters are expected back, but with Ray gone, the Gophers are likely in the market for at least one experienced tackle to stabilize the unit.
The NIL Factor
Minnesota’s NIL budget isn’t among the biggest in the country, and that limits how far they can go in chasing high-profile portal talent. That’s where the revenue-sharing model adds a new wrinkle.
Every player brought in now comes with a financial commitment. Misses aren’t just felt on Saturdays - they hit the bottom line.
“We do a lot of due diligence,” Coyle said. “Are you going to be 100% all the time?
Absolutely not. But again, the closer you get to 100%, the better you are going to be long-term.”
That’s the challenge now. The Gophers are trying to build a roster that can compete in a changing college football landscape - one where talent, fit, and financial efficiency all matter.
The next few weeks will go a long way in determining how well they’re positioned for 2026. The bowl win was a solid ending to the season. But in the world of college football, the real work is just beginning.