Hoosiers leading rusher Trent Howland transfers to Minnesota

Howland will add to a talented backfield alongside Darius Taylor II and Jordan Nubin.

Darius Taylor II and Jordan Nubin have company in the Golden Gophers backfield. 

Trent Howland announced Sunday that he's bringing his 6-foot-3, 240-pound body to Minnesota to play for P.J. Fleck and the Gophers football team, where he'll help form a talented trio alongside Taylor and Nubin in 2024. 

Howland was in the transfer portal after rushing for 354 yards and two touchdowns for the Indiana Hoosiers this season. Those 354 yards actually led the Hoosiers on the ground. While the total yards aren't impressive for a leading rusher, his 4.7 yards per carry would've ranked second in Minnesota behind Taylor's 5.7 yards per carry this season. 

Howland redshirted in 2021 and played in nine games as a freshman in 2022, including getting some action as a linebacker. There's no word about him transitioning to linebacker with the Gophers. 

Minnesota gained four transfer commitments on Sunday. Joining Howland were cornerback Ethan Robinson (Bucknell), defensive lineman Jordan Guerad (Florida International) and edge rusher Eddy Toussom (Navarro College). 

Indiana's Trent Howland (27) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 :: © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK