The Gophers added their sixth in-state commitment to this year's recruiting class Tuesday night, when Hopkins defensive end Boye Mafe gave them a verbal commitment.

The 6-4, 225-pound Mafe had reportedly narrowed his choices to Minnesota and Rutgers after getting visited at school by Jerry Kill, the former Gophers head coach who is now Rutgers' offensive coordinator.

Mafe joins Blaise Andries (Marshall), Eric Abojei (Robbinsdale Cooper), Dominik London (East Ridge), Grant Ryerse (East Ridge) and Nathan Bursch (Woodbury) as in-state players committed to the Gophers in this class.

The Gophers signed eight in-state players in last year's class, including Carter Coughlin, Kamal Martin and Tyler Johnson, who saw extensive playing time as true freshmen.

JOE CHRISTENSEN