2026 University of Minnesota Depth Chart

1️⃣ Depth Chart Reasoning: Minnesota’s offense will be led by a familiar face under center. Drake Lindsey returns as the starting quarterback, giving the Gophers back-to-back continuity at QB for the first time in years. Lindsey isn’t a game-breaking runner, but his job security is rock-solid – the competition between Liberty transfer Michael Merdinger and sophomore Max Shikenjanski is merely to determine the pecking order behind him. At running back, a healthy Darius Taylor profiles as a workhorse and one of the Big Ten’s most dynamic runners when on the field. Taylor battled injuries last season, but all indications are he’ll be back to anchor the ground game in 2026. Versatile senior A.J. Turner (a transfer who flashed explosiveness before a Week 3 injury) should slide in as the No. 2 back, offering a change of pace and receiving ability on passing downs. The more intriguing battle is for RB3: Minnesota brought in Elon transfer T.J. Thomas Jr. specifically for his knack as a pass-catching, open-field weapon. Thomas’s arrival signals that the staff values his speed and elusiveness in space – expect him to handle third-down/receiving duties and kick returns, giving him sneaky PPR upside. Highly-touted freshman Ryan Estrada will also push for touches, but the coaching staff’s emphasis on Thomas’s skill set suggests the veteran transfer has the inside track to fantasy relevance early on. In short, Taylor’s bell-cow role (if he stays healthy) should drive this backfield, with Turner spelling him and Thomas carving out a specialized role.

Minnesota’s receiving corps presents a classic talent-vs-experience dilemma behind its new alpha. Sophomore Jalen Smith is pegged to emerge as the go-to target – the staff “leans toward Smith” stepping up as the true No. 1 option after he flashed playmaking ability in 2025. Meanwhile, redshirt senior Javon Tracy offers a dependable safety blanket in the slot. Tracy led the team with 37 catches for 454 yards and six touchdowns last year, and his chemistry with Lindsey and route savvy ensure he’ll remain a high-floor WR2 in this offense. The real question is who becomes the third fantasy-relevant receiver. Auburn transfer Perry Thompson arrives with five-star talent and arguably the highest ceiling of the group, but he’s still relatively unproven (just 22 career catches at Auburn). In contrast, Cincinnati transfer Noah Jennings isn’t as hyped but brings nearly 100 career receptions of experience and polished route-running to the table. This mirrors last season’s dynamic where a less-heralded transfer outproduced a flashier newcomer – in 2025, Tracy (a lower-ranked transfer) significantly outperformed former blue-chip WR Malachi Coleman. Similarly, Jennings’ reliability and “do-the-dirty-work” skill set could earn him a larger immediate role than Thompson, especially early in the season. Coaches know what they have in Jennings, and one team insider is “taking production over potential,” projecting Jennings to fit seamlessly as the No. 3 receiver in 2026. Still, Thompson’s upside can’t be ignored – his blend of size and explosiveness could make him a fantasy difference-maker by mid-season if he refines his game. Rounding out the depth, super-senior Zion Steptoe (a speedy slot/return ace from Tulsa) and redshirt freshman Bradley Martino (a 6’3″ former four-star) add depth and big-play ability, but barring injuries they’ll be rotational pieces rather than consistent fantasy starters. The top of this receiving hierarchy will likely be Smith’s emerging star power and Tracy’s steady volume, with the Thompson vs. Jennings battle acting as a key swing factor for Minnesota’s passing production.

At tight end, the Gophers must replace the reliable duo of Jameson Geers and Drew Biber (who took 44 catches, 342 yards and 4 TD with them upon graduating). Enter Oklahoma transfer Kaden Helms, who steps in as the new TE1. Helms is a former blue-chip recruit with the athleticism to threaten defenses up the seam, and despite only 8 career catches at OU, he actually has the most collegiate production of any TE on the roster. Minnesota will count on Helms as a primary receiving tight end – his size and two touchdowns on limited touches hint at solid red-zone usage. Behind him, sophomore Pierce Walsh should see the field plenty as the TE2 after logging over 200 snaps last year. Walsh is a talented youngster who could develop into a reliable target, but for now Helms is expected to run the majority of routes at the position. Finally, on special teams, the Gophers addressed their kicking woes by bringing in Michigan transfer Beckham Sunderland to take over for the departed Brady Denaburg. Sunderland – a former pro soccer goalkeeper – has a powerful leg and is the favorite to win the K1 job over sophomore Daniel Jackson, though it’s worth noting he’s never attempted a collegiate field goal yet. Overall, Minnesota’s depth chart blends proven veterans with intriguing new talent, and our rankings reflect a confident bet on experience at the margins (like Jennings and Helms) while still acknowledging the sky-high upside of the incoming playmakers.

2️⃣ Final Depth Chart: