Gophers latest Big Ten program to offer 2027 Ohio standout Jaylen Mercer

The edge rusher and tight end has already received 10 Big Ten offers.
Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck leads his team onto the field during the first quarter against Virginia Tech at the Dukes’ Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Jan. 3, 2025.
Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck leads his team onto the field during the first quarter against Virginia Tech at the Dukes’ Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Jan. 3, 2025. / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Gophers football program extended a scholarship offer to 2027 Ohio tight end and edge rusher Jaylen Mercer on Wednesday, Mercer said in a social media post. The Gophers already have plenty of competition in their pursuit of Mercer.

While Mercer does not have rankings from recruiting services 247Sports or On3, he's received a significant amount of Division I offers already. The Gophers were Mercer's 10th Big Ten offer, and he's received a slew of other offers as well. In addition to the U, Mercer has been offered by Bowling Green, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan State, Missouri, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Tennessee, Toledo, UMass, Southern Cal and Wisconsin, according to 247Sports and Rivals.

It would appear Minnesota would be interested in Mercer's services on the defensive side of the ball considering linebackers coach Mariano Sori-Marin was the one to deliver him the news of the offer. That comes as no surprise considering Mercer's size at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, and as just a sophomore at Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati.


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Nolan O'Hara
NOLAN O'HARA

Nolan O'Hara covers all things Minnesota sports, primarily the Timberwolves, for Bring Me The News and Sports Illustrated's On SI network. He previously worked as a copy editor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota's Hubbard School of Journalism. His work has appeared in the Pioneer Press, Ratchet & Wrench magazine, the Minnesota Daily and a number of local newspapers in Minnesota, among other publications.