Fame Ijeboi, the Gophers’ second-leading rusher this season, announced Tuesday on Instagram that he plans to enter his name into the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2.
Ijeboi, a redshirt freshman from Folcroft, Pa., has rushed 97 times for 441 yards and two touchdowns this season. He started one game and carried the load when top rusher Darius Taylor (554 yards, three TDs) was sidelined because of injuries and backup A.J. Turner was lost for the season because of injury. Ijeboi also caught 12 passes for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Ijeboi’s departure leaves the Gophers with Taylor, Cam Davis and Grant Washington as the top options at running back for the Dec. 26 Rate Bowl against New Mexico.
Ijeboi is the 10th Gophers player since the Nov. 29 regular-season finale to announce his plan to enter the transfer portal. He joins wide receivers Kenric Lanier II, Legend Lyons, Cristian Driver and Quentin Redding; defensive backs Harrison Brun and Ethan Carrier; quarterback Jackson Kollock; offensive lineman Reese Tripp; and punter Caleb McGrath.
Smith, Perich honored
Gophers defensive end Anthony Smith and safety Koi Perich were named second-team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press on Tuesday. Smith, a junior who last week was named first-team All-Big Ten by the league coaches and second team by the league media, finished third in the conference with 10½ sacks and tied for fourth with 13½ tackles for loss. Perich, a sophomore, finished third on the team with 77 tackles and also broke up two passes, had one interception and forced one fumble. Perich received second-team all-conference honors from the media and third-team honors from the coaches.
