Top 5 transfer portal needs for the Gophers

The football transfer portal opens on Friday, Jan. 2, and closes Friday, Jan. 16.

Minnesota will see its fair share of departures, but I also expect the Golden Gophers to be active in the transfer portal to address their roster deficiencies.

Here are what I see as their Top 5 roster needs heading into portal season:

1. Defensive Tackle

The entire two-deep at defensive tackle is walking out the door, with starters Deven Eastern and Jalen Logan-Redding and reserves Nate Becker and Rushawn Lawrence all out of eligibility. The only other defensive tackles on the roster who saw the field this season are redshirt freshmen Jaylin Hicks and Riley Sunram. But Hicks and Sunram only played 78 and 44 snaps, respectively, across eight games. Redshirt sophomore Theo Randle figured to play a more prominent role this season, but he was never healthy enough to see the field.

2. Wide Receiver

Minnesota has their quarterback of the foreseeable future, but he needs weapons on offense. The wide receiver room is getting cut in half with Le’Meke Brockington and Logan Loya being out of eligibility and Malachi Coleman, Kenric Lanier, and three others entering the transfer portal. The Gophers must find proven receivers to compete alongside Javon Tracy and Jalen Smith next season, and starting signal caller Drake Lindsey has said he plans to be actively involved in recruiting wide receivers out of the portal.

3. Offensive Line

I know others would rank offensive line ahead of the wide receiver position, but you have to understand that the market for transfer offensive linemen is extremely competitive. It’s unlikely the Gophers will be able to overhaul their offensive line through the portal. That’s just the reality. Look no further than last offseason, when Minnesota loaded up with four linemen out of the portal, only to struggle up front this season. Improvement next season starts with the returning linemen already on the roster, but that doesn’t mean offensive line coach Brian Callahan won’t try to bring in reinforcements. Look for options at right tackle to be of particular interest.

4. Running Back

There is a case to be made for this position to be ranked higher. Darius Taylor is one of the best running backs in the Big Ten when healthy, but staying healthy was a challenge this season. Marshall transfer A.J. Turner was lost to a season-ending leg injury three games into the season. Behind those two backs next season will be two redshirt freshmen and three true freshmen. That doesn’t give me much peace of mind.

5. Cornerback

The one constant at cornerback this season was Iowa transfer John Nestor, who will be back next year. The other cornerback spot was a revolving door, starting with redshirt sophomore Za’Quan Bryan (who plans to enter the transfer portal) and redshirt freshman Mike Gerald, before the coaching staff gave nickel back Jai’Onte McMillan and safety Aidan Gousby each a shot. It’s possible the Gophers could keep Gousby at cornerback next season, but it would be wise to bring in an experienced cornerback to help get this position group back on solid ground.