Minnesota Countdown to Kickoff: No. 26 DB Zack Harden
Welcome to August.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers will officially take the field this month for regular-season action. Their season opener against the Buffalo Bulls on August 28 just 27 days away. With 27 days remaining until toe meets leather, Minnesota true freshman defensive back Zack Harden is in today’s player spotlight.
Harden was a consensus three-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle, including by On3, who ranked the Georgia native as a top-90 safety nationally. The Newton, Georgia native committed to Minnesota over two dozen other offers, including Arkansas, Auburn, Colorado, Duke, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan State, among others.
Notably, the Gophers had ties to Newton High School, which helped with the addition of Harden.
“I picked Minnesota because of the coaching staff, the atmosphere, the city, and the relationships I have here,” Harden told On3 at the time of his commitment. “Darius Green and Darnell Jeffries are like my big brothers,” Harden added. “They had a lot to do with the decision.”
The cousin of former Georgia standout and current Green Bay Packer Javon Bullard, Harden was a GHSA Class 6A All-State selection as a senior thanks to six interceptions.
In 2025, Harden, barring a surprise, will have a redshirt season as he continues to adapt to the collegiate game. Long term, the former three-star prospect has the potential to develop into a contributor for the Gophers at safety.
PREVIOUS INSTALLMENTS:
No. 32: Former Gophers LB Pete Najarian
No. 38: Former Gophers K Emmitt Carpenter
