THE GOPHERS' CLASS

A closer look at the Gophers' incoming football recruiting class. The star ratings are from Rivals.com.

PlayerStarsPos.High school/Junior collegeHt.Wt.Comment

Jonathan Celestin2LBJonesboro (Ga.) Mundy Mill6-1205Gophers found this under-the-radar recruit while working on his high school teammate, Rodney Smith.

Gaelin Elmore3TESomerset (Wis.)6-6246Committed last June and held firm, despite offers from Wisconsin, Nebraska and Vanderbilt.

Isaiah Gentry3WRCincinnati Moeller6-4185Speedy receiver flipped his commitment from Kent State. Also had an offer from Rutgers.

Jerry Gibson2ATHTheodore (Ala.)6-3220Visited South Carolina last weekend. Top athlete who could be a tight end, defensive end or linebacker.

Melvin Holland Jr.3WRAshburn (Va.) Briar Woods6-3190A converted linebacker who turned heads as a senior receiver. Had offers from Wisconsin and Rutgers.

Craig James3CBEdwardsville (Ill.)5-11175Had strong interest from Indiana, but stayed on Gophers when it came down to it Wednesday.

Jeff Jones4RBMinneapolis Washburn6-0198Co-MVP from Under Armour All-American Game announced his decision Wednesday to a standing ovation.

Julien Kafo3DEMontreal Vanier College6-4245Had offers from Iowa and Nebraska, according to Rivals.com. Will be a 20-year-old freshman.

Conner Krizancic3WRMentor (Ohio)6-2193Flipped his commitment from Cincinnati. Played quarterback as a high school senior.

Brandon Lingen3TEWayzata6-5245Wasn't heavily recruited after being injured as a junior but added 35 pounds and was a force as a senior.

Connor Mayes3CVan Alstyne (Texas)6-5309Played in U.S. Army All-American Game. Brother of Gophers lineman Alex Mayes.

Gary Moore2DTMobile (Ala.) Murphy6-3285Flipped his commitment from Southern Mississippi. Big, strong kid who can run the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds.

Cody Poock3LBIowa Western Community College6-2230Picked the Gophers over Texas Christian. Has three years of eligibility remaining. Already enrolled.

Luke Rasmussen2OLBrookfield (Wis.) Central6-7270Scored a 33 on his ACT exam, and had offers from Air Force, Harvard and Yale.

Steven Richardson3DTChicago Mount Carmel5-11285Defensive MVP of the Chicago Catholic League had 34 tackles for a loss, including 17 sacks.

Dimonic Roden-McKinzy3QBKansas City (Kan.) Wyandotte6-0210Dual-threat passer had offers from Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. Already enrolled.

Rodney Smith2RBJonesboro (Ga.) Mundy Mill5-11195Tore an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee as a junior but bounced back to rush for 2,200 yards as a senior.

Andrew Stelter3DEOwatonna (Minn.)6-4250Consensus three-star recruit had offers from Duke, Harvard, Yale, Iowa State and Northern Illinois.

Jared Weyler2OLDayton (Ohio) Centerville6-4280Flipped his commitment from Bowling Green. He will be an interior lineman for the Gophers.

Everett Williams2LBMansfield (Texas) Legacy6-2220Strong tackler with terrific grades. He had offers from Western Michigan and Northern Illinois.

JOE CHRISTENSEN