Minnesota loses fourth player from 2016 recruiting class as four-star lineman changes mind

The Gophers lost the fourth player from their 2016 recruiting class Tuesday, when Sean Foster, a consensus four-star offensive lineman from Illinois, announced he won't be coming to Minnesota.

The 6-8, 285-pound Foster is ranked as the nation's 19^th best offensive tackle in this class by Rivals.com. He had offers from Nebraska, Virginia Tech and Kentucky when he committed to the Gophers last April.

Foster posted a statement on Twitter: "After speaking to the coaching staff at the University of Minnesota it is in my best interest to decommit immediately and explore my options. I greatly appreciate all that the Mn staff has done for me. I am saddened by the recent departures of some amazing coaches and look forward to becoming a part of a great university."

Gophers coach Tracy Claeys fired offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover and quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski on Sunday. Hours later, Tony Poljan, a consensus three-star quarterback from Michigan, decommitted, citing "ever changing leadership at the University of Minnesota."

Anytime a coaching staff changes, brace for recruits to flip to other schools. Jerry Kill retired for health reasons on Oct. 28, and Claeys took over, with the school removing his interim tag two weeks later.

Last month, two defensive players decommitted. Andre Polk, a linebacker from South Fort Myers High School, flipped to South Florida, and Tralund Webber, a junior college defensive end, flipped to Oklahoma State. Both are consensus three-star recruits.

The Gophers still have 14 players committed in this class, with signing day coming Feb. 3. Foster had been one of two four-star recruits in the class, along with Eden Prairie linebacker Carter Coughlin.

After Foster made his announcement, Coughlin tweeted his support for Claeys.