Minnesota wide receiver Malachi Coleman is on the move again. His name has been removed from the Gophers’ current online roster, and sources indicate he's informed teammates and staff that he plans to enter the transfer portal.
It’s a notable development for a player who was once one of the most sought-after recruits in the country. Coleman, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound wideout, was ranked the No. 63 overall prospect and the No. 11 wide receiver nationally in his class, according to 247Sports.
He originally committed to Nebraska, giving Matt Rhule a major recruiting win in his first year with the Huskers. Nebraska fended off a strong push from Colorado and others to secure Coleman’s commitment.
After the 2024 season, Coleman entered the portal for the first time and landed at Minnesota. His role with the Gophers grew as the season progressed, but his production remained limited - he finished tenth on the team in both targets (nine) and receptions (five), totaling 83 yards. Now, he’s back in the portal, looking for a fresh start.
Coleman becomes the eighth scholarship player from Minnesota to enter the portal this cycle, joining quarterback Jackson Kollock, running back Fame Ijeboi, wide receivers Kenric Lanier, Cristian Driver, Quentin Redding, and Legend Lyons, along with offensive lineman Reese Tripp. That’s a significant chunk of the roster, especially at wide receiver.
With Lemeke Brockington and Logan Loya moving on due to graduation, Coleman’s departure makes him the fifth receiver to hit the portal since the season ended. That leaves wide receivers coach Matt Simon with some serious rebuilding to do. Right now, the room is expected to be built around Javon Tracy and Jalen Smith, but depth and experience are clearly concerns heading into the offseason.
The transfer portal has become a central part of college football’s offseason landscape since its introduction on October 15, 2018. It gives players the opportunity to explore their options without needing permission from their current coaching staff. Once a player requests entry, compliance departments typically process it within 24 to 48 hours, at which point schools are free to make contact.
It’s important to note: entering the portal doesn’t guarantee a departure. Players can withdraw at any time, but once they’re in, their current school isn’t obligated to keep them on scholarship.
The portal has grown rapidly in recent years. During the 2020-21 cycle, 2,646 FBS players entered the portal - a sharp rise from 1,692 the year before and 1,717 the year before that. Much of that increase is tied to the NCAA's rule change allowing athletes a one-time transfer without sitting out a year, as long as they meet the entry deadline.
For Minnesota, this is shaping up to be a pivotal offseason. The wide receiver room is in flux, and the staff will have to work quickly to fill the gaps - whether that’s through incoming freshmen, transfers, or internal development. Coleman’s departure adds another layer to a roster that’s still very much in transition.