Minnesota added another major in-state piece to its 2027 class on Wednesday night, landing Hastings High School running back Zack Shatek after he flipped from South Dakota State.
Shatek, the No. 1 rusher in Minnesota high school football, announced the change through his X account. The 6-foot, 195-pound back is now headed to the Gophers after originally committing to SDSU on Feb. 27.
“After much thought, prayer, and conversations with my family, I’ve decided to decommit from South Dakota State University. I’m grateful to the SDSU coaching staff for always believing in me,” he wrote on X.
He added: “Thank you to my family, coaches, teammates, trainers, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. I’m blessed and excited to stay close to home, compete in the Big Ten!”
Shatek’s senior season has only strengthened his profile. He currently leads the entire state with 1,964 rushing yards on 214 carries and 24 TDs before the postseason begins. As a junior, he put up 238 carries for 1,879 yards at Hastings High School and drew scholarship offers from all four Division I Dakota schools.
Minnesota had shown interest before, with Shatek taking an unofficial visit to campus in April, though he was never offered at that point. That changed after he returned for another unofficial visit on Oct. 28 and received an offer, which led to his commitment right away.
His pledge gives the Gophers three running back commits in the 2027 high school class, joining Moorhead standout Taye Reich and Tunica, Mississippi native Greg Hargrow.
Shatek also pushes Minnesota’s 2027 class to 30 total commitments with early national signing day approaching.
Current 2027 commits (30 players)
Eli Diane, DL (Plymouth, Minnesota)
Furian Inferra, QB (San Marcos, California)
Greg Hargrow, RB (Tunica, Mississippi)
Taye Reich, RB (Moorhead, Minnesota)
David Mack, WR (Moorhead, Minnesota)
Jett Feeney, QB (Moorhead, Minnesota)
Drake Mikkelsen, TE (Lennox, South Dakota)
Brooks Bakko, TE (Kindred, North Dakota)
Gage Geyer, DL (Edina, Minnesota)
Will Clausen, OL (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
Wyatt Liebentritt, S (Omaha, Nebraska)
Joseph Hamer, OL (Lakeville, Minnesota)
Tate Wallace, LB (Iowa City, IA)
Kason Clayborne, LB (Sioux City, IA)
Zak Walker, CB (Moorhead, MN)
Taylor Daniels, S (West Orange, NJ)
Jordan Walley, CB (D’Iberville, MS)
Jamail Sewell, OL (Milwaukee, WI)
Kelsey Rose Jr., Edge (Jackson, TN)
Dylan Mota, OT (Chicago, IL)
Maxwell Miles, S (Las Vegas, NV)
Jayden Thomas, WR (Las Vegas, NV)
Kevin Ferrygood, WR (Houston, TX)
Drake Buthe, OL (Glenwood, IA)
Carlos Ferguson, WR (Owings Mills, MD)
Roy Price, Edge (Newark, OH)
Cameron Saunders, Edge (San Jose, CA)
Wyatt Wilber, LB (Maryville, TN)
Zack Shatek, RB (Hastings, MN)
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