Chaska offensive lineman Matt Kegel announced Tuesday that he is decommitting from the Gophers.
The 6-6, 300-pound Kegel is a consensus three-star recruit who also had reported offers from Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Pittsburgh before committing to Minnesota in May.
Kegel is the fifth player to decommit from the Gophers since Jerry Kill retired and Tracy Claeys taking over as head coach. The others are linebacker Andre Polk (from Florida), defensive end Tralund Webber (Texas), offensive tackle Sean Foster (Illinois) and quarterback Tony Poljan (Michigan).
But some of these partings have been mutual. The Gophers have reshaped their offensive line recruiting strategy since firing Matt Limegrover, who handled both offensive coordinator and offensive line duties.
They landed a commitment Sunday from Garrison Wright, a lineman from Butler Community College in Kansas. He and Vincent Calhoun (Southwest Mississippi Community College) could be the Gophers' starting guards next season. And the Gophers have other offensive linemen they are targeting, too.
Kegel announced his decision on Twitter, saying in part, "Coach Kill's words come to mind in not wanting to cheat the university, the football program, my Empire brothers [fellow Gophers recruits], or another player's opportunity if I am not 100% committed to the direction of the program.
"I wish the team and especially the Empire Class of 2016 continued success as they build on the future of the program. Ski U Mah and thank you for your understanding with my decision."
