11 Gophers football commits set to kick off their senior seasons this week
Last weekend, two Minnesota Golden Gophers football commitments began their 2025 seasons in Utah natives, wide receiver Kai Meza and offensive tackle Mataali Benjamin. Both will play once again this weekend with 11 others beginning their senior seasons.
Below, Gohpers Nation takes a look at when each 2026 and 2027 Minnesota commits will begin their seasons.
13 Gophers set to play this weekend
CB Justin Hopkins (Ensworth – TN) vs Whitehaven (TN):
One of the Gophers’ top defensive commitments, Hopkins and Ensworth are set to take on Whitehaven High School. Ensworth, ranked as a top-10 team in Tennessee and a top-400 team nationally, are heavy favorites according to the Massey ratings.
OL Daniel McMorris (Norman North – OK) vs Midwest City (OK):
McMorris and the Norman North Timberwolves will take on Midwest City on Thursday night. The Timberwolves are heavy favorites according to the Massey Ratings and are considered a top-10 team in Oklahoma.
OL Gavin Meier (Parker – WI) vs Ramsay (WI):
Meier and Parker High School start their season this week against Ramsay High School.
DE Aaden Aytch (Lafayette – IN vs Bishop Chatard):
Defensive end commitment Aaden Aytch and the Lafayette Jefferson Bronchos will kick their season off on Friday against Bishop Chatard. Lafayette Jefferson are underdogs in the game.
OT Mataalii Benjamin (Skyridge – UT vs Liberty – NV):
Benjamin and Skyridge actually began their 2025 season with a 52-17 win last weekend over Mountain Ridge High School. One of the top three teams in Utah and a borderline top-100 team nationally, Skyridge takes on Nevada’s Liberty High School, a top-three team in Nevada. Skyridge is a heavy favorite to win the game.
DE Anthony Charles (South Fayette Twp – PA vs Chartiers Valley – PA):
Charles and the South Fayette Township Lions will take on Chartiers Valley this weekend as they begin their 2025 seasons. While neither team is considered overly strong, South Fayette is a heavy favorite in the game.
LB Angel Luciano (Steelton Highspire – PA vs Juniata – PA):
Future Gophers linebacker Angel Luciano plays for one of Pennsylvania’s most consistent programs in recent memory, the Steelton-Highspire Rollers. They’ll start their pursuit for a state championship this weekend against Juniata. Steelton-Highspire is favored to win.
CB Chance Payne (Jefferson – GA vs Jackson County – GA):
After a 19-0 win last weekend, Chance Payne and Jefferson High School are back in action this weekend against Jackson County. Jefferson is considered one of the top-40 teams in the state of Georgia and a borderline top-100 team nationally.
WR Kai Meza (Corner Canyon – UT vs West Broward – FL):
After a dominant performance last Friday, Meza and Corner Canyon will now host Florida program West Broward. Corner Canyon is projected as a heavy favorite in the game according to Massey ratings.
WR Hayden Moore (Newberry – FL vs University Christian – FL):
Moore and the Newberry Panthers get their season started on Friday against University Christian. Newberry is a slight favorite.
DE Josiah Anyansi (Murrieta Valley – CA vs Rancho Cucamonga – CA):
The Gophers’ defensive end commitment Josiah Anyansi and Murrieta Valley will look to start their season off strong with a matchup against Rancho Cucamonga. Murrieta Valley is a considerable favorite and is considered a top-20 team in California and a top-250 team nationally.
OT Lucas Tielsch (Copley – OH vs Streetsboro – OH):
Tielsch and Copley begin their season on Friday against Streetsboro. Streetsboro is a heavy favorite over Copley.
2027 QB Furian Inferrera (Mater Dei – CA vs St. Thomas Aquinas – FL)
2027 quarterback commitment Furian Inferrera and the Mater Dei Monarchs, the nation’s top teams according to the Massey Ratings will travel to Florida to take on St. Thomas Aquinas, another elite program, ranked No. 3 in Florida and top-15 nationally. Mater Dei is considered to be a heavy favorite.
13 commits who are still waiting
TE Roman Voss (Jackson County Central – MN): August 28
OL Andrew Trout (Rocori Senior – MN): August 28
DE Howie Johnson (Forest Lake – MN): August 28
RB Ryan Estrada (El Dorado – TX): August 29
LB Hudson Dunn (Liberty – AZ): August 28
S Jordan Lampkins (Bolingbrook – IL): August 29
TE Gabe Weaver (Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day – MO): August 29
QB Owen Lansu (Downers Grove North – IL): August 30
WR Rico Blassingame (Tolleson Union – AZ): August 28
RB Ezekiel Bates (Malvern Prep – PA): August 29
S Trason Richardson (Ameta Crawford – TX): August 28
DL Jeremiah Benson (West Bloomfield – MI): August 28
2027 DE Eli Diane (Wayzata – MN): August 28
