How did former Golden Gophers perform in week two?
Through the early parts of the 2025 season, transfers have made a huge impact on the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ success through two weeks.
On offense, three different transfers have already scored touchdowns for the Gophers in running backs A.J. Turner and Cam Davis, as well as wide receiver Javon Tracy. On defense, Iowa transfer John Nestor has been impressive, including two interceptions this past weekend, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
While those who transferred into the program have made an impact? What about the players who left the program this past offseason? Gophers Nation takes a look at former Golden Gophers who had notable impacts in week two of the college football season.
This week’s top performer would likely be that of former Golden Gopher linebacker Tyler Stolsky. The now FAU linebacker played 28 snaps against Florida A&M, recording five tackles. Stolsky now has 10 tackles this season in total, with one pass deflection.
Former Gopher running back Sieh Bangura had a sizeable role in Ohio’s 17-10 upset win at home over West Virginia on Saturday. Bangura had 20 carries for 66 yards and one touchdown. He’s now up to 36 carries for 152 yards and one score this season.
One position that is tighter on depth this season for the Gophers is defensive tackle. One former Gopher at the position, Martin Owusu, is enjoying a notable role within Fresno State’s defense. In 49 snaps against Oregon State, Owusu had three tackles. He’s up to seven tackles in three games this season, and he started all three games.
Another defensive tackle, Luther McCoy, had one tackle against Sam Houston State this past weekend. Through three games, McCoy has one quarterback pressure and one tackle for Hawaii.
Two former Gophers offensive linemen had quality weeks, as well as Phillip Daniels, who got his second start at right tackle for Ohio State, playing 32 snaps against Grambling. In two games played, Daniels has not allowed any quarterback pressures. Martes Lewis with Northwestern played over 30 snaps for the Wildcats this weekend as a backup.
Beyond last year’s crop of outgoing transfers, 2024 transfer Athan Kaliakmanis, of course, is still the starter at Rutgers. This past weekend against Miami (OH), Kaliakmanis completed 26-of-36 passing attempts for 259 yards and four touchdowns. He was the first Scarlet Knights quarterback since 2015 to throw four touchdown passes in a game.
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