30 November 2023
The Gophers’ running back depth suffered a blow Thursday.
Tailback Zach Evans said he intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining.
Evans was third on the team this season with 230 rushing yards on 52 carries as he battled injuries and played in only six games. The redshirt freshman from Heath, Texas, was Big Ten freshman of the week after rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in a win over Louisiana on September.
Evans’ announced plan to leave comes two days after true freshman running back Marquese Williams announced he will go into the portal as well. Williams did not play despite the rash of injures at the position this fall.
The Gophers have had six scholarship players announce their exits since the regular season finale on Saturday. Four walk-on players have also said they are leaving, including running back Max Grand.
The Gophers had backup tailback Sean Tyler exhaust his eligibility this season, while sixth-year senior RB Bryce Williams was injured early in the season. Williams has a medical redshirt available, if he choses to take it.
Minnesota’s overall depth chart at running back starts with true freshman Darius Taylor, who had a team-high 591 rushing yards in 2023 but missed the last five games with injuries. He was a three-time Big Ten freshman of the week, and his place on the 2024 team is paramount at the position.
Jordan Nubin, who started the season as the fifth-string tailback, was the featured ball carrier to finish the season due to injuries. He totaled 535 rushing yards, 124 carries and three touchdowns, and has two years eligibility left.
Minnesota currently has two running back commitments in its 2024 recruiting class: Jaydon Wright, of Kankakee, Ill., and Ohifame Ijebo of Philadelphia.
Pair to Senior Bowl
Gophers safety Tyler Nubin and tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford have been accepted to play in the Senior Bowl on Feb. 3 in Mobile, Ala., the U said Thursday.
The U sent center John Michael Schmitz to the premier college scouting showcase last season; he became a second-round NFL draft pick by the New York Giants.
Family plan
Receiver Dino Kaliakmanis said Wednesday he plans to follow his brother, quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, into the NCAA transfer portal. Kaliakmanis committed to the U with his brother in 2021 class and now they exit together. Dino played in only one game in 2023.
Transfer tracker
Outgoing players from the Gophers’ 2023 roster:
Tuesday
QB — Athan Kaliakmanis
QB — Drew Viotto
RB — Marquese Williams
OL — JJ Guedet
Wednesday
WR — Dino Kaliakmanis
Thursday
RB — Zach Evans
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