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