Minnesota Gophers Ready for Rate Bowl as PJ Fleck Eyes 7-0 Postseason Record
When the Minnesota Golden Gophers take the field in Phoenix on Friday afternoon for the 2025 Rate Bowl, they’ll do so with a familiar edge - a head coach who treats bowl games like they’re championships. PJ Fleck is undefeated in the postseason (6-0), and he’s not just showing up to keep that streak alive - he’s bringing a mostly intact roster with him, a rarity in today’s college football landscape.
Starters Sticking Around - For the Bowl and Beyond
While many programs around the country are scrambling to fill depth charts due to opt-outs and transfer portal exits, Minnesota appears to be bucking the trend. Most of the Gophers’ starters are expected to suit up for the Rate Bowl, a testament to the culture Fleck has built in Dinkytown - and to the program’s evolving use of NIL to retain talent.
This isn’t a case of Minnesota throwing around wild money. Instead, it’s about maximizing resources.
The Gophers have found creative ways to keep key players engaged and invested, including through partnerships like the Dinkytown Athletes + Cub Foods NIL initiative. It’s not just about the cash - it’s about making players feel valued and part of something bigger.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Fleck Confident in Roster Retention
Fleck isn’t just focused on Friday - he’s already thinking about 2026. And he’s bullish on the Gophers’ ability to keep their core intact.
“Our retention rate has been incredible,” Fleck said this week. “We feel great about re-signing the majority of our players, especially the majority of our starters, which is really, really critical for the 2026 season.”
That confidence isn’t misplaced. The most important piece of the puzzle - redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey - is already locked in for next season.
Lindsey’s return is huge. He’s not just the guy under center; he’s the tone-setter for the entire locker room.
Drake Lindsey: The Gophers' Cornerstone
Talk to his teammates, and it’s clear Lindsey’s presence is a major reason others are staying put. Starting offensive lineman Greg Johnson, a Minnesota native, made it clear that Lindsey’s leadership has galvanized the team.
“Being from Minnesota, I personally didn’t have any thoughts of going elsewhere,” Johnson said. “I think Drake really set the tone for the team.
This is Drake’s team. He’s our leader and it’s easy to come back and want to play for a guy like that.”
Johnson is one of several key players returning in 2026, including John Nestor, Kerry Brown, and Nathan Roy - all of whom are also part of the NIL program helping to keep this roster intact.
Uncertain Futures for Key Defensive Stars
Still, not every decision has been made. A few of Minnesota’s top talents have yet to reveal their plans beyond the Rate Bowl - and their choices could have a major impact on the Gophers’ 2026 outlook.
Defensive lineman Anthony Smith, safety Koi Perich, and running back Darius Taylor are all expected to play in Phoenix, but none have publicly committed to returning next season.
Smith, a junior, has been a force off the edge all year. At 6’6”, 285 pounds, he’s the kind of athletic, three-down defensive end that NFL scouts drool over.
He leads the team in sacks with 10.5 - a number that speaks to both his motor and his ability to finish plays. He’s also been recognized nationally, including a Shrine Bowl Defensive Player of the Week honor earlier this fall.
When asked about his future, Smith kept it close to the vest: “I’m just focused on this. I really haven’t thought about it at all…I just want to send the seniors out on a good note.”
Taylor, the Gophers’ junior running back, has battled injuries this season but still led the team in rushing with 554 yards and three touchdowns. Like Smith, he wasn’t ready to tip his hand.
“I really haven’t thought about that stuff… I’m just worried about the game. I will figure all that out after the game,” Taylor said.
What Comes Next
While Smith and Taylor are keeping their cards close to the chest, their decisions will have ripple effects. These are high-impact players who also command significant NIL dollars. If either decides to move on - whether to the NFL or elsewhere - Fleck and his staff will need to quickly reallocate resources and address key roster holes.
But for now, the focus is on the Rate Bowl - and on a Gophers team that’s showing a rare level of continuity in an era of constant turnover. With their quarterback locked in, a strong core returning, and a head coach who treats every bowl like it’s the Rose Bowl, Minnesota is in a solid position heading into Friday and beyond.
If Fleck can notch his seventh straight bowl win and carry this roster momentum into the offseason, the Gophers could be one of the Big Ten’s most stable - and quietly dangerous - programs heading into 2026.