Expectations rise in Minneapolis with second-year quarterback and star-studded defense

Minneapolis – Coming off of consecutive 8-5 seasons and five consecutive bowl wins, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are looking to take the next step in year 10 under head coach PJ Fleck, and with a bevy of returning talent on both sides of the ball, the Gophers hope to row the boat all the way to Indianapolis this year.

Offensively, the Gophers are once again putting the ball in the hands of quarterback Drake Lindsey, who shattered expectations last year as a redshirt freshman, winning the most games of any freshman QB in Golden Gopher history. He was efficient in his first full year of work, throwing 18 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions while racking up nearly 2400 passing yards. Lindsey is a true pocket passer (he lost a net of 119 yards on the ground last year) and will rely on his offensive line to keep him upright and his weapons to move the ball. This year, he has some familiar faces to help him out.

Darius Taylor headlines the skill players. The junior tailback had a down 2025 season after dealing with early injuries, but the two-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention rusher has demonstrated the ability to power an offense on the ground. As a sophomore in 2024, he found the end zone ten times while just missing out on a thousand-yard season.

Lindsey’s favorite deep threat is back this year in redshirt sophomore Jalen Smith. Lindsey found Smith for some of his biggest passes of the 2025 season, including his longest touchdown pass, a 60-yarder against Buffalo, and the game-winner against New Mexico. Smith’s ability to match up against tougher cornerback matchups will be critical to the Gophers’ success this year.

Alongside Smith is Javon Tracy, the team’s second leading receiver from a year ago and a reliable target for Linsey. Tracy hauled in six touchdown catches last season, half of which came in a performance against Northwestern that marked the first 3 touchdown game for a receiver since Rashod Bateman in 2019.

In the trenches, Minnesota returns three of its five starters in Ashton Beers, Greg Johnson and Nathan Roy. Johnson is expected to be one of the top linemen in the nation this year, as he was selected to the Outland Trophy Watch List and was named a preseason All-American by Phil Steele.

Perhaps the biggest newcomer for the Gopher offense is a name that Sansom Sports Media readers will recognize in Cincinnati transfer Noah Jennings. Jennings averaged just under two receptions per game last year for the Bearcats, but he’s another piece with tremendous athleticism who could be unlocked by Minnesota.

Defensively, the Gophers return key players at all three levels from a squad that boasted one of the best pass rushes in the nation last year with 39 sacks.

The unit is championed by Anthony Smith, a fifth-year edge rusher who was named first-team all-Big 10 a year ago by the coaches and second-team by the media following a monster 17.5 TFL, 12.5 sack year. Smith has racked up preseason honors, including being one of nine defensive players named to the Walter Camp Football Foundation 2026 Player of the Year watch list. His impact will provide a firm floor for the Gopher defense and elevate the entire unit.

Returning behind Smith in coverage will be linebacker Maverick Baranowski, a member of the Butkus Award watch list and defensive back John Nestor, who broke out in 2025 following his transfer from Iowa, tying for the Big Ten interception crown with six picks, the third most in Golden Gopher history. The three provide a core in pass defense that will be tough for opposing quarterbacks to maneuver around.

Arguably the team’s most impactful defensive newcomer will be Cal transfer TJ Bush, who will look to shore up the Golden Gopher run defense. 

Minnesota’s over/under for wins sits at 6.5 as of Sept. 1, a number that should be very beatable without either of Oregon or Ohio State on the schedule. The Gopher schedule is as follows:

September 3 vs. Eastern Illinois

September 12 vs. Mississippi State

September 19 vs. Akron

September 26 @ Washington

October 3 vs. Michigan

October 10 @ Purdue

October 24 vs. Iowa

October 31 @ Indiana

November 7 vs. UCLA

November 14 @ Penn State

November 21 vs. Northwestern

November 27 @ Wisconsin

With a second-year quarterback and a trio of bonafide stars on defense, this is arguably the most talented group Fleck has ever had. If he can bring them over the hump, this is the year to do it. Only time will tell how far the Gophers go.

Cover picture courtesy of Minnesota Athletics