Grading Minnesota football's 2025 transfer portal class after three games
The Minnesota Golden Gophers’ first bye week is here, and also doubles as a checkpoint: three games in, who among Minnesota football’s 2025 transfer portal class has delivered in the opening weeks, and who’s still waiting to make a mark?
Offense
Through three games, Morehead has not appeared on the field and is at least third on the Gophers’ depth chart. Notably, during their 66-0 win over Northwestern State, Morehead did not see the field, though backup quarterback Max Shikenjanski and redshirt sophomore Dylan Wittke both did.
RB AJ Turner
Turner has amassed 16 carries for 64 yards and one touchdown this season. He left this past weekend’s game against California in the first quarter with a leg injury, and his availability going forward is currently unclear.
Davis, in three games, has 21 carries for 69 yards as well as six receptions for 48 yards, totaling 117 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. Depending on Turner’s status going forward, Davis could see a bigger role.
WR Javon Tracy
Tracy has flashed through the first three weeks of the season with six receptions for 150 yards and one touchdown. He’s averaging 25 yards per reception. His best game of the season was the Gophers’ season-opening win over Buffalo, recording three receptions for 71 yards.
WR Logan Loya
Loya has three receptions for 28 yards this season, averaging 9.3 yards per reception.
Coleman has one reception for six yards this season and has only appeared in one game on offense.
TE Drew Biber
Biber has had a quality role through three games, recording three receptions for 42 yards.
OT Kahlee Tafai
Tafai is the Gophers’ backup left tackle this season, behind Nathan Roy. He played 33 snaps against Northwestern State in week two and a pair of snaps against California.
Marshall is the Gophers’ starting right guard this season and has been up and down to start the season. He’s allowed five pressures in 87 pass blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
OT Dylan Ray
The Gophers’ starting right tackle, Ray Marshall, has had instances of strong play and some challenges as well. He has allowed six pressures and one sack this season.
Takeaway: Minnesota’s 2025 offensive transfer portal class is off to a quality start. Skill players like AJ Turner, Cameron Davis, and Javon Tracy have all made notable impacts thus far and, barring health, should remain key pieces within the offense. The Gophers should also be happy about Drew Biber’s play thus far. While Marcellus Marshall and Dylan Ray remain works in progress, it will be a big bye week for both. The jury remains out on Logan Loya, Malachi Coleman, and Kahlee Tafai. Grade: A
Defense
Through three games, Curtis has not appeared on the field.
Lawrence has played in all three games for Minnesota, including a season high 42 snaps this past weekend against California. He has four total quarterback pressures across 41 pass-rushing snaps and also has five tackles.
DT Mo Omonode
Omonode is expected to be out for the entirety of the 2025 season with an injury.
Roberson, after not playing in the season opener, played 17 snaps against Northwestern State and one snap against California. It’s a steep decline from the 55 snaps a game he averaged last year with Oklahoma State.
CB John Nestor
Nestor has been the Gophers’ biggest impact defensive transfer this season with eight tackles, two interceptions, and two pass breakups.
Bowden has only appeared against Northwestern State so far this season, totaling 15 snaps in that game.
Takeaway: Overall, the defensive class has not been exactly fruitful yet for the Gophers. Rushawn Lawrence and John Nestor are the only two whose impact has been felt this season, while Jaylen Bowden and Jeff Roberson, both of whom were expected to potentially compete to be starters this fall, have instead found themselves quite a bit down the depth chart. Southern Illinois transfer Steven Curtis has also found himself in a reserve spot and has not made an impact on the field. While Mo Omonode’s exact injury hasn’t been disclosed, the Purdue transfer did miss the entire spring with a back injury. He’ll be able to redshirt this season and return next fall. Grade: C
Special Teams
Denaburg is off to a solid start this season, making 4-of-5 field goal attempts and is perfect on all 11 extra point attempts.
Richter is the Gophers’ backup punter this season.
Weston has been very good for the Gophers to start the season with eight punts, averaging 41.6 yards per punt. Four of those punts have pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line.
Takeaway: Overall, Minnesota can’t complain about the start from their special teams transfers. Denaburg and Weston have been off to good starts, while Brody Richter offers a strong backup option to Weston. Grade: A
