Gophers land running backs, All-MAC receiver via transfer portal

The Gophers continued construction on their 2025 football roster, adding seven transfer players, including three running backs and a highly productive wide receiver.

A.J. Turner, who rushed for 864 yards and six touchdowns and earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors for Marshall this season, committed to Minnesota on Sunday. Cameron Davis, a seventh-year player from Washington who has rushed for 1,093 yards and 15 TDs in his career, followed later in the day. And Cole Cabana, formerly of Michigan, made it a trio.

In addition, the Gophers landed first-team All-Mid American Conference wide receiver Javon Tracy from Miami (Ohio). Tracy had 79 receptions for 1,166 yards and nine TDs in two years at Miami.

Also committing Sunday were kickoff specialist Brady Denaburg from Syracuse and a pair of FCS transfers — Illinois State defensive lineman Steven Curtis and North Carolina Central cornerback Jaylen Bowden.

Turner and Davis fill needs in the backfield with the expiring eligibility of Marcus Major and Jaren Mangham and the entry into the transfer portal of Sieh Bangura and Jordan Nubin. The 6-0, 195-pound Turner could become a complement to star running back Darius Taylor because of his speed and explosiveness. The Hampton, Va., native averaged 8.3 yards per carry this season, bolstered by runs of 88, 80, 69 and 67 yards. Turner also caught eight passes for 68 yards and two TDs. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Davis, 6-0 and 205 pounds, missed the 2023 season because of a knee injury but returned this season to rush 44 times for 190 yards and caught 14 passes for 156 yards. The Upland, Calif., native had his most productive season in 2022, when he rushed for 522 yards and 13 TDs, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. He’s a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining.

Cabana, a 6-0, 204-pound four-star recruit out of Dexter (Mich.) High School, redshirted in 2023 after playing in two games and did not play in 2024 because of injuries. In high school, he amassed 5,791 all-purpose yards and scored 76 TDs. Cabana will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Tracy, 6-0 and 206 pounds, caught 57 passes for 818 yards and seven touchdowns this season for the RedHawks, who reached the MAC title game. The Indianapolis Decatur High School product will have two years of eligibility remaining. Michigan State, Florida State, Indiana and Pittsburgh were among the teams with interest in Tracy.

Curtis, 6-5 and 255 pounds, played two seasons for the Redbirds and will have two years of eligibility remaining. In his first season as a starter this fall, Curtis played in 14 games, making 46 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, posting four sacks, forcing two fumbles and collecting eight quarterback hurries. The West Palm Beach, Fla., native also received interest from Boston College, Cincinnati and Kentucky.

Bowden, 6-2 and 155 pounds, played in 10 games this season, making 19 tackles, intercepting one pass and breaking up seven passes. The Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek High School graduate also received interest from Wake Forest and James Madison, among others. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Denaburg, from Merritt Island, Fla., has been Syracuse’s kickoff specialist the past three seasons, with 156 of his 198 kickoffs going for touchbacks. He’s also 13-for-22 on field-goal attempts in his career. Denaburg has one year of eligibility remaining.

Sunday’s additions join Georgia Tech quarterback Zach Pyron and Purdue tight end Drew Biber in transferring to Minnesota since the portal opened last Monday.