Recap: Gophers 2025 football early signing day

The top three players in Minnesota? Check.

A four-star quarterback from California? Check.

And size and strength along both lines? Check.

Those are some of the highlights of the 2025 high school recruiting class that signed binding financial aid agreements with the Gophers on Wednesday morning during the opening day of college football’s early signing period.

Coach P.J. Fleck signed a 20-player class that is highlighted by the top-ranked recruit in Minnesota, Robbinsdale Cooper linebacker Emmanuel Karmo. The Gophers also landed the Nos. 2 and 3 recruits in Minnesota, as ranked by 247Sports.com, in Caledonia linebacker Ethan Stendel and Providence Academy defensive lineman Abu Tarawallie.

From Laguna Beach, Calif., the Gophers landed quarterback Jackson Kollock, a four-star talent who’s ranked No. 29 nationally at his position. Fleck and his staff addressed the lines, too, adding four offensive linemen, led by Mark Handy of Albuquerque, N.M., and four defensive linemen, highlighted by high three-star Jayquan Stubbs of Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

However, there were misses for the Gophers.

Minnesota’s class entering the week had 22 members, but two players who had verbally committed changed their minds.

Running back Shane Marshall of Irwin County High School in Ocilla, Ga., who’s rushed for more than 1,800 yards this season, gave the Gophers a verbal commitment in June but instead signed with Georgia Tech on Wednesday.

Safety Grant Grayton of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Md., announced his decommitment on Wednesday. Kentucky is a possible alternative for Grayton.

As of 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, the Gophers had all 20 members of their 2025 class signed. It ranked 51st nationally and 15th in the Big Ten, according to the 247Sports.com composite ratings of major recruiting services.

Fleck will have a news conference at 11 a.m. to address signings. Check back later for updates.