Signing day tracker: Members of Gopher football’s 2023 recruiting class officially join
The Gophers football team began adding players to its recruiting class for next season early Wednesday morning.
Here’s who joined after submitting their national letter of intent and what the U had to say about them upon their official entry into the class.
6:03 a.m.: RB — Darius Taylor, Walled Lake, Mich., 5-foot-11, 200 pounds
Taylor is the Gophers’ second-highest rated recruit in the 2023 class. The four-star prospect stayed true to his commitment after running back coach Kenni Burns became Kent State’s head coach and other programs (Michigan, Notre Dame, Wisconsin) and Iowa showed interest.
6:06 a.m.: CB — Zaquan Bryan, Savannah, Ga., 5-9, 180
“A two-time state champion in Georgia, (he) is ready to bring his defensive prowess to the Gophers!” the U wrote.
6:11: RB — Marquese Williams, Harrisburg, Pa., 5-8, 180
“After posting over 4,000 yards in his high school career, (he) is bringing the grind to the Gophers!” the U tweeted.
6:16: WR — Kenric Lanier, Decatur, Ga., 6-1, 180
“The Peach State Pipeline remains wide open!” the U said. “We’re excited to welcome (him) into the WR room.”
6:19: OL — Phillip Daniels, Cincinnati, 6-5, 285
Daniels had not committed to the Gophers before signing day, but he joined the class with the rest of the pledges on Wednesday morning. The three-star recruit had previously committed to Pittsburgh before backing out of it on Nov. 29.
Daniels told rivals.com that it was his dream to play in the Big Ten.
“Add a new face to the O-Line room!” the U said. “(He) is ready to hold the line.”
6:30: QB — Drew Viotto, Walled Lake, Mich., 6-4, 215
Viotto was high school teammates with Taylor at Walled Lake Western High School.
“After leading the Warriors, (he) is ready to join the Gophers QB room!”
6:35: S — Kerry Brown, Naples, Fla., 6-0, 175
“From the Sunshine State to the Great North!” the U wrote. “(He) is ready to be a Gopher!”
6:38: WR — T.J. McWilliams, Indianapolis, 6-1, 170
“A member of the 20222 IndyStar Super Team, (he) is ready to represent the Maroon and Gold!”
* — The only commitment from the Eastern time zone to not sign in the opening hour Wednesday was Pensacola, Fla., receiver Donielle Hayes.
7:12: WR — Corey Crooms Jr., Western Michigan/Country Club Hills, Ill,, 5-11, 170
“He’s ready to be a Gopher! Welcome to Minnesota!”
7:16: S — Garrison Monroe, Shakopee, 6-0, 195
“He’s staying home! Shakopee native … is ready to be in Dinkytown!” the U wrote.
7:23: DL — Martin Owusu, Prior Lake, 6-3, 290
The Wisconsin Badgers offered a scholarship Tuesday, but Owusu remained true to the home-state school
“(He is ready to be a Gopher!” the U tweeted. “Proud to keep the No. 4 Minnesota prospect home!”
7:27: LB — Alex Elliott, Hutchinson, 6-2, 200
“After an awards laden career at Hutchinson, (he) is ready to bring his talents to Dinkytown!” the U wrote.
7:34: A source told Pioneer Press that Hayes has signed.
7:35: OL — Greg Johnson, Prior Lake, 6-foot-6, 305
“A consensus four-star is staying home to defend the offensive line! Welcome to the Gophers!” the U said.
7:40: TE — Sam Peters, Maple Grove, 6-4, 225
“A 2022 6A State Champ with Maple Grove, (he) brings a championship mentality to the Gophers!” the U tweeted.
7:44: TE — Pierce Walsh, Lisle, Ill., 6-4, 220
“The East Suburban Catholic Conference Offensive Player of the Year is ready to (don) the Maroon & Gold!” the U said. “Welcome to Minnesota.”
7:48: LB — Matt Kingsbury, Chicago, 6-3, 235
“The (defense) is getting even beer with (him) in the room!” Minnesota said.
7:52: OL — Reese Tripp, Kasson, 6-7, 315
“From Kasson-Mantorville to Dinkytown! Welcome to the Gophers!” the U tweeted.
7:56: OL — Jerome Williams, Osseo, 6-foot-4, 275 pounds
Williams is the U’s highest-graded recruit and one of two, four-star prospects along with Taylor.
“The No. 2 lineman in Minnesota is staying home!” the U said.
7:59: DE — Karter Menz, Fargo, N.D., 6-5, 215
“No. Dak. (arrow to) Dinkytown!” the U said.
8:02: DL — Theorin Randle, Pearland, Texas, 6-1, 280
“Yeehaw, he’s a Gopher! A two-sport star, (he) is ready to be a star for the Gophers!” the U tweeted.
8:06: OL — De’Eric Mister, Gary, Ind., 6-7, 300
“After being named All-State and All-Conference in his senior season, (he) is ready to bring his skills to the Maroon & Gold!” the U posted.
8:11: WR — Donielle “Nuke” Hayes, Pensacola, Fla., 6-0, 180
“From the Sunshine Sate to Dinkytown! (He) is ready to rock the Maroon and Gold!”
8:14: DE — Chris Collins, North Carolina/Richmond, Va., 6-4, 245
8:16: S — Jack Henderson, Southeastern Louisiana/Mandeville, La., 6-2, 205
8:19: LB — Ryan Selig, Western Michigan/Lake Villa, Ill., 6-3, 210
8:23: WR — Elijah Spencer, Charlotte/Irmo, S.C., 6-2, 190
Walk-ons:
LS — Ryan Algrim, Elburn, Ill., 6-2, 220
P — Caleb McGrath, Apple Valley, 6-3, 175
DB — Jackson Powers, Maple Grove, 6-0, 180
QB — Max Shikenjanski, Stillwater, 6-2, 170
LB — Drew Wilson, Mequon, Wis., 6-1, 205
LB — Zander Rockow, Eau Claire, Wis., 6-1, 240
DB — Ethan Carrier, Detroit Lakes, 6-0, 185
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