Head start on 2016

A closer look at the Class of 2016 players already verbally committed to the Gophers, long before National Signing Day (Feb. 3):

Thomas Barber

Armstrong

LB • 6-1, 225

Listed as a three-star recruit in the 247Sports Composite Index.

Carter Coughlin

Eden Prairie

LB • 6-4, 205

Picked the Gophers over Ohio State and Oregon among others.

Sean Foster

Mundelein (Ill.) Carmel Catholic

OL • 6-8, 285

Four-star recruit had offers from Nebraska, Virginia Tech and Kentucky.

Jojo Garcia

East Ridge

DT • 6-2, 259

Committed to Gophers over Michigan State.

Philip Howard

Cooper

ATH • 5-11, 175

Had reported offers from Wyoming, Western Michigan and North Dakota State.

Matt Kegel

Chaska

OL • 6-6, 300

Had reported offers from Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Pittsburgh.

Conner Olson

Monticello

OL • 6-5, 270

Had offers from Harvard, Princeton and Yale.

Tony Poljan

Lansing (Mich.) Catholic

QB • 6-7, 235

Three-star recruit had offers from Toledo, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan.

Sam Schlueter

Mayer Lutheran

OL • 6-6, 272

Picked the Gophers over Wisconsin and Michigan State.

JOE CHRISTENSEN