Minnesota running back Fame Ijeboi is heading into the transfer portal after wrapping up his redshirt freshman season with the Golden Gophers. The young back showed flashes this year, rushing for 441 yards and two touchdowns, and now he’s looking to explore new opportunities with three years of eligibility still on the table.
Ijeboi becomes the latest in a growing list of Minnesota scholarship players to test the waters of the portal. He joins quarterback Jackson Kollock, wide receivers Kenric Lanier, Malachi Coleman, Cristian Driver, Quentin Redding, and Legend Lyons, along with offensive lineman Reese Tripp. That’s eight players so far, and the movement reflects a broader trend across college football as rosters shift and evolve in the post-portal era.
From a depth chart perspective, Ijeboi’s departure is notable. With veteran Cam Davis graduating, the Gophers are now down two backs from their 2025 rotation.
Darius Taylor is coming off a season where injuries limited his availability, and A.J. Turner is in recovery mode after suffering a major knee injury against Cal.
That leaves Minnesota’s backfield in a bit of flux heading into the offseason, and the coaching staff will have some work to do to retool the running game.
The transfer portal, introduced in October 2018, has fundamentally changed the way college football operates. Players no longer need permission to leave-they simply request that their name be entered, and within a day or two, they’re officially in the mix.
Once listed, they’re free to talk to any school without restriction. It’s a player-driven system designed to give athletes more control over their careers.
It’s worth noting that entering the portal doesn’t guarantee a departure. Players can pull their name out at any time.
But once they’re in, schools aren’t obligated to honor their scholarship. It’s a calculated risk-one that more and more players are willing to take.
And the numbers back that up. During the 2020-21 cycle, 2,646 FBS players entered the portal-a sharp jump from 1,692 the year before and 1,717 in 2018-19.
A big reason for that spike? The NCAA’s updated transfer rule, which allows athletes a one-time transfer without sitting out a year.
That change has made the portal not just a backup plan, but a legitimate path for players seeking a better fit, more playing time, or a fresh start.
For Ijeboi, the decision to transfer opens the door to a new chapter. He’s a talented back with upside, and wherever he lands next, he’ll bring experience, explosiveness, and three full seasons to make his mark. As for Minnesota, this is a pivotal offseason-not just in replacing production, but in reestablishing the identity of their offense in a rapidly changing college football landscape.