Gophers receive transfer commitments from ex-Michigan State cornerbacks Aydan and Elisha West

The Gophers football program added three pieces to its defensive secondary, receiving transfer portal commitments from former Michigan State cornerbacks Aydan West and his brother, Elisha West, and former Southwest Minnesota State safety Parker Knutson.

The West brothers announced their decisions on the X social media platform on Jan. 6, while Knutson revealed his decision a day earlier.

Later in the day, the Gophers added three more players out of the transfer portal: safety Mekhai Smith (Lehigh), kicker Beckham Sunderland (Michigan) and punter Zachary Robbins (Utah State).

Aydan West, 5-11 and 190 pounds, is a Gaithersburg, Md., native who intercepted eight passes and returned four for touchdowns in his prep career at Quince Orchard High School, helping his team win two state championships.

He made official visits to Michigan State, Ohio State and Virginia Tech before committing to the Spartans in June 2024.

Aydan West played in 12 games for the Spartans in 2025, collecting 19 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass defensed.

He will have three years of eligibility with the Gophers.

A 5-11, 195-pounder, Elisha West did not have a star rating by 247Sports as a recruit out of Quince Orchard.

Knutson, 6-1 and 193 pounds, spent the past three seasons at Southwest Minnesota State, redshirting in 2023, earning All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first-team honors in 2024 and Walter Camp first-team All-America honors in 2025.

The Sartell, Minn., native intercepted eight passes, broke up six passes and made 39 tackles for the Mustangs in 2025. He finished with 13 interceptions in 25 games.

Knutson committed to the Gophers during his visit to campus. He also visited Iowa.

Smith, a 6-2, 205-pounder from Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pa., spent the past two seasons at Lehigh, making 40 tackles in 2024 and finishing 2025 with 56 tackles, four interceptions and three pass breakups. He earned first-team All-Patriot League honors last season. He has two years of eligibility remaining.