2026 OT Lucas Tielsch commits to Minnesota

Akron (Ohio) Copley three-star offensive tackle Lucas Tielsch has committed to Minnesota following an official visit to Minneapolis this weekend.

He chose head coach P.J. Fleck and the Golden Gophers over the likes of Northwestern, Pitt, Cincinnati and Louisville.

Tielsch is the No. 91 OT and No. 55 player in Ohio in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Per the On300, he checks in as the No. 68 offensive tackle in the nation.

The towering 6-foot-6 prospect announced his decision on Sunday afternoon via X:

“First I want to thank my parents Cindy Chen and Barry Tielsch for guiding me on this journey. They have been with me every step of the way and I would not be here without them. Secondly I want to thank Coach Krom and Coach G and all the Copley coaches for pushing me everyday at practice and at lifts and helping me be the player I am today. Lastly I want to thank my Trainers at T3 the lineman lab and Hacksaw fitness for pushing me at every workout. With that said I am 100-percent committed to the University of Minnesota,” he wrote.

Minnesota pushing for Top-30 class this cycle

Tielsch is the latest win for Fleck and Co. as the Big Ten program pushes to sign a top-30 class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings this cycle. The class now features 17 commits and ranks No. 33 nationally.

On June 1, Minnesota received a crucial wave of commitments, adding six prospects to the fold. Norman (Okla.) North three-star offensive tackle Daniel McMorris, West Valley City (Utah) Skyridge three-star OT Mataalii Benjamin, Harrisburg (Pa.) Steelton-Highspire linebacker Angel Luciano and Lafayette (Ind.) Jefferson EDGE Aaden Aytch were among those to join the class two weekends ago.

Tielsch is now the fifth offensive lineman to join the class. Cold Spring (Minn.) Rocori Senior four-star OT Andrew Trout is the top-ranked commit in the mix, checking in as the No. 277 overall prospect and No. 20 OT this cycle.

This February, Minnesota picked up a big win in the Volunteer State, beating Tennessee, Georgia Tech and USC for Nashville Ensworth four-star cornerback Justin Hopkins. He ranks inside the top 250 of the On300.

Other top commits in the class include: Peoria (Ariz.) Liberty three-star linebacker Hudson Dunn, Forest Lake (Minn.) Senior three-star defensive lineman Howie Johnson, Janesville (Wisc.) three-star OT Gavin Meier, Downers Grove (Ill.) North three-star quarterback Owen Lansu, Herriman (Utah) Corner Canyon three-star wide receiver Kai Meza and Phoenix Tolleson Union three-star WR Rico Blassingame.