Gophers lose 2025 recruiting target Keaton Wagler to Big Ten foe

One of Ben Johnson's top targets has verbally committed to Illinois.

Jan 12, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Ben Johnson in the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Class of 2025 Kansas combo guard Keaton Wagler verbally committed to Illinois after visiting the program last weekend. It comes just 11 days after Wagler officially visited Minnesota.

Excited to announce my commitment to @IlliniMBB #EveryDayGuys #HailToTheOrange pic.twitter.com/koHWrkBgZR

— Keaton Wagler (@KeatonW34) September 18, 2024

Wagler was officially offered a scholarship by the Gophers on Aug. 22, and Minnesota was one of five different programs he took an official visit with. 247Sports tabs the Shawnee, Kan., native as the No. 150th-ranked recruit in the country.

Johnson and his staff got their first verbal commitment in the class of 2025 on Sept. 4 when Philadelphia guard Kai Shinholster pledged to the program. But they have since lost top targets Amari Allen to Alabama and Wagler to Illinois.

Minnesota's 2025 recruiting focus now shifts even heavier towards Cretin-Derham Hall big man Tommy Ahneman, who has an official visit scheduled for Oct. 5. With the new transfer portal rules, high school recruiting is not as important as it once was, but it's been a tough summer for the U.