Minnesota Countdown to Kickoff: No. 50 DL Mo Omonode
The countdown to the beginning of Minnesota’s 2025 season is down to just 50 days and with that Gophers Nation will begin our own countdown to kickoff series. Each day, we will highlight one Gopher who wears the corresponding number (or in the event of no current number being worn, we’ll highlight a Gopher of the past).
First up in our series, is one of the program’s newest additions, West Lafayette, Indiana native and former Purdue defensive linemen Mo Omonode.
Omonode was originally a consensus three-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting cycle and was the No. 25 player in the state of Indiana in the cycle according to Rivals.
Omonode comes to the Twin Cities with one year of eligibility remaining after spending three seasons with Purdue. In those three years with the Boilermakers, Omonode saw serious playing time in each season, playing in 33 games including 11 as a true freshman.
In his 33 career games played, the 6-foot-0, 290-pound defensive tackle recorded 32 tackles, five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. His best season with the Boilermakers came in 2023 as a sophomore, recording 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks in 12 games. He posted similar numbers this past season with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack in 10 games played.
Omonode will help provide depth in the middle of the Gophers’ defensive line, likely backing up Devon Eastern at nose tackle.
Defensive line depth was a much needed necessity for the Gophers this offseason. Out of the transfer portal, Minnesota added three transfers in defensive end Steven Curtis, versatile defensive lineman Rushawn Lawrence, and Omonode.
This fall Omonode is expected to play a quality role within the Gophers defense and be a consistent piece of the program’s defensive line rotation.
