Reece Mallinger, a standout offensive lineman from Sussex (Wis.) Hamilton in the 2027 class, continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail-and Minnesota is right in the thick of it.
Mallinger earned his offer from the Golden Gophers back in June after an impressive showing at their camp. Since then, the connection has only grown stronger.
He and his brother, Hunter-who also holds a Minnesota offer-were both in Minneapolis this past November to watch the Gophers notch a rivalry win over Wisconsin, their fourth in five years under P.J. Fleck.
That visit left a strong impression.
“It was a fun visit,” Reece said. “The Minnesota coaches showed a lot of interest, and we felt very wanted.”
That feeling of being prioritized is key in any recruitment, especially for a player like Mallinger, who brings both size and versatility to the table. Offensive line coach Brian Callahan made the trip to Sussex last week to check in with Reece, further signaling Minnesota’s continued interest. And the message from Callahan was clear: the Gophers see Reece as a player who can do it all up front.
“Coach Callahan will coach us to be versatile,” Mallinger said. “He sees us as swing players-guys who can play any position on the offensive line.”
That kind of positional flexibility is gold in today’s college game. With offensive lines constantly adapting to injuries, scheme shifts, and tempo changes, having a player who can slide between guard, tackle, or even center is a major asset. Mallinger fits that mold, and Minnesota’s staff is making sure he knows it.
As the recruiting process heats up, Mallinger is starting to think seriously about his next step. A return trip to Minnesota for spring practice is on the calendar-for now. But that could change depending on how quickly he and his brother decide to make a commitment.
“I feel great about Minnesota,” Reece said. “Love the coaches, and the program is awesome.”
Right now, it’s a tight race. Alongside Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Northwestern are also standing out in his recruitment. Each brings something different to the table, but Minnesota’s early offer, strong relationship-building, and clear developmental plan have them firmly in the mix.
Stay tuned-this is a recruitment worth watching, and the Gophers are very much in play.