10 incoming Gophers to keep an eye on in 2024

Minnesota added a number of transfers and freshmen who should make an impact this season.

In just 168 days, the Gophers football team will begin its season with a home matchup against North Carolina. It’ll be a much different team than last season, and the opening day matchup figures to provide plenty of intrigue.

There will be a number of new faces for the Gophers who figure to make an impact in 2024. In no particular order, here’s a look at who we expect to be 10 of the best incoming players for the U this upcoming season:

1. Max Brosmer, QB

The Gophers already needed to revive their passing attack after a lackluster 2023 campaign, and finding a new QB1 became a top priority after starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis entered the transfer portal ahead of the Quick Lane Bowl. The Gophers found their guy, picking up New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer — arguably the best FCS QB in 2023 — in the portal.

Brosmer is the surefire starter next season after a 2023 campaign in which he threw for 3,459 yards, 29 touchdowns and just six interceptions. That followed a 2022 season in which he threw for 3,154 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

As an experienced veteran, Brosmer should have all the tools to succeed at the U. Top receiver Daniel Jackson is still in the mix, and the Gophers have taken to the portal to add a number of new potentially dangerous weapons. Darius Taylor also returns to the backfield, which should take pressure off Brosmer under center. Expect an improved passing attack, led by Brosmer, in 2024.

Max Brosmer throws / Credit: University of New Hampshire

2. Koi Perich, S

Koi Perich is one of the highest rated and most hyped recruits the Gophers have landed in a while. Perich, an incoming freshman safety from Esko, Minn., was the top-ranked recruit in Minnesota and showed he can compete with the best in the country when he won MVP in the All-American Bowl on Jan. 6. He had an interception, broke up two passes, had a tackle for loss and even blocked and recovered a punt in the game. While it’s never a guarantee freshmen will see the field right away, Perich appears to have the physical ability and skillset of a player who can make an immediate impact.

3. Sieh Bangura, RB

Sieh Bangura spent the last two seasons at Ohio, and the running back seems likely to be the No. 2 behind Taylor. Bangura rushed for 811 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, which followed a 2022 campaign in which he ran for 1,078 yards and 13 scores. Bangura likely makes an impact and sees carries right away.

4. Cristian Driver, WR

Cristian Driver didn’t see much action for Penn State as a freshman wide receiver in 2023, catching just one pass for eight yards and making two tackles on special teams. But he knows what to expect from a Big Ten program and was a four-star prospect coming out of high school. Behind Jackson, there’s plenty of room for competition in the Gophers wide receiver room. Driver should have a chance to work his way onto the field and make an impact in a more pass-heavy offense than a year ago.

Sep 9, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Cristian Driver (80) runs with the ball while trying to avoid a tackle during the fourth quarter against the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Delaware 63-7 / Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

5. Marcus Major, RB

Bangura wasn’t the only running back depth the Gophers added in the transfer portal. After a rash of injuries in the running back room in 2023, they made sure to beef up their depth for 2024. Marcus Major has rushed for 833 yards and eight touchdowns across his six-year career at Oklahoma. He knows what it takes to compete in a Power 5 conference and will likely have a chance to see some carries for the U this season.

6. Jaylen Varner, WR

Like Driver, Jaylen Varner is another transfer receiver who should have an opportunity to work his way on the field in 2024. He’s coming off a season in which he caught 90 passes for 1,008 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023 for Division II Emporia State. He caught 10 touchdown passes the year before that. He was an under the radar prospect in high school, and it remains to be seen how he’ll handle the leap to Division I, but after putting up video game numbers in two seasons at Emporia State, Varner will get the chance to test his skillset at the Division I level.

7. Ethan Robinson, CB

Ethan Robinson bolsters the U’s cornerback depth, coming to Minnesota after an impressive season at Bucknell. He had 50 tackles, 10 passes defended and three interceptions in 2023. He was an All-Patriot League First Team selection, which landed him offers at Southern Cal, West Virginia, Auburn and others.

Nov 13, 2021; West Point, New York, USA; Army Black Knights wide receiver Isaiah Alston (86) runs after making a catch in front of Bucknell Bisons cornerback Ethan Robinson (26) during the first half at Michie Stadium / Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

8. Jaionte McMillan, CB

Jaionte McMillan is another cornerback coming to the U via the transfer portal. He didn’t see much action in three seasons at TCU, but has experience at the Power 5 level. In three seasons with the Horned Frogs, McMillan had 16 tackles, two passes defended, a sack and a pick. The Gophers graduated one starting cornerback — Tre'Von Jones — from a year ago, so at least one spot should be up for grabs. 

9. Nathan Roy, OT

While the Gophers return their two starting tackles from a year ago, making it unlikely Nathan Roy sees the field in any kind of starting capacity, he could potentially be a valuable depth piece for the U. Roy is a four-star prospect and was the top-ranked recruit in Wisconsin at the time of his signing. 

10. Riley Sunram, DT

Riley Sunram, a defensive tackle, is another one of the big freshmen recruits coming to the U in 2024. Sunram is a four-star prospect and the top-ranked recruit in North Dakota who projects as a Power 5 starter. The Gophers did graduate Kyler Baugh on the defensive line, however, they do return most of their starting line from a year ago, making it a difficult path for Sunram to see significant playing time in 2023.