Gophers backup quarterback Conor Rhoda is a redshirt junior this season, but he was honored before Saturday's game as part of Senior Day, signaling the end of his time with the program.
Rhoda walked on with the Gophers out of Cretin-Derham Hall and was placed on scholarship this year. But according to people familiar with Rhoda's situation, the coaches notified him that they couldn't guarantee him a scholarship for next season.
Rhoda is on track to graduate this fall with a degree in business and marketing education. He plans to explore options to join another program as a graduate transfer, as he still has one year of eligibility remaining.
Rhoda has a strong arm, but he's a pocket passer, and coach Tracy Claeys has made it clear he wants more mobility from his starting quarterbacks. With Mitch Leidner nearing the end of his Gophers career, dual-threat quarterbacks Seth Green and Demry Croft are expected to compete for the starting job next spring.
Other early departures
The Gophers honored 13 seniors before Saturday's game, along with eight other players who are leaving the program after this season with eligibility remaining.
That list includes quarterback offensive linemen Chad Fahning, Matt Leidner and Luke Rasmussen, defensive lineman Julien Kafo, tight end Duke Anyanwu, linebacker Ray Dixon, wide receiver Mike Conway and kicker Andrew Harte.
All of those players will have their degree before next season starts. Last year, Gophers left tackle Ben Lauer made a similar decision to leave the program after graduating, even though he had a year of eligibility remaining.
