Minnesota Countdown to Kickoff: No. 31 RB Xavier Ford
The countdown until the Minnesota Golden Gophers kickoff their 2025 season against the Buffalo Bulls on August 28 is down to 31 days. In today’s player spotlight, with 31 days remaining,g is true freshman running back Xavier Ford, a native of Leesville, Louisiana.
Ford, a Rivals industry ranking three-star prospect, was a late addition to the Golden Gophers’ 2025 recruiting class, committing to them in January, shortly after picking up an offer from the program. He would sign with the Gophers in February before enrolling on campus in June.
A standout at Leesville High School, Ford was prolific in high school with 8,591 career rushing yards and 123 career touchdowns across 960 carries. He was Louisiana’s Mr. Football as a senior thanks to a campaign that saw him rush for 3,467 yards and 52 touchdowns.
The 2025 season, in all likelihood, will be a redshirt season for Ford as he continues to adapt to the collegiate game. The Gophers entering this fall already have a strong trio of tailbacks in Darius Taylor, AJ Turner, and Cam Davis, not to mention a potential fourth emerging back in Fame Ijeboi and Vanderbilt transfer Johann Cardenas.
PREVIOUS INSTALLMENTS:
No. 32: Former Gophers LB Pete Najarian
No. 38: Former Gophers K Emmitt Carpenter
