Caleb Williams and Femi Odukale give the Gophers roster flexibility

Ben Johnson and the Gophers’ staff have been incredibly busy in the transfer portal. Most recently, they’ve added Macalester transfer guard Caleb Williams and New Mexico State transfer wing Femi Odukale. They might be the two most interesting additions this offseason for the Maroon & Gold.

Caleb Williams, Combo Guard, Macalester (D3)

Listed at 6-foot-2, Williams was one of the best scorers at the Division Three level last season. He averaged 20.0 points, 4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, notably scoring 41 points against Minnesota at the Barn in a November exhibition and 50 points in a different regular season game later in the season. He played shooting guard for the Scots, still leaving the door open at the PG position for the Gophs.

Given the current state of the sport, Minnesota needs to bring in players like Williams. The fact that he played at the Division Three level raises a lot of questions about how he will transition to the Big Ten, but he improved every season that he’s played, so he has the chance to be a diamond in the rough, something this program needs if they want to compete in the expanded Big Ten.

Femi Odukale, SG/SF, New Mexico State

After Cam Christie announced his plan to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, while he remains in the NBA Draft process, the Gophers became in desperate need for a starting caliber small forward. Redshirt sophomore Kadyn Betts was the only returning player at the position, but his experience raised a question for the team heading into next season. New Mexico State transfer Femi Odukale will now bring 80 games of starting experience at Seton Hall, Pitt and NMSU to Minnesota next season.

Listed at 6-foot-6, 205 pounds he averaged 10.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists last season for the Aggies in 28.7 minutes per game. His numbers were very similar to Christie’s last season. It’s obvious that he does not possess the same ceiling but Odukale provides a very similar skillset that Christie had last season. He is a big guard, with less shooting potential, but he’s a better rebounder and passer. Given Minnesota’s current roster, I think Odukale is the favorite to start at the three.

Projected starting lineup:

• PG: Mike Mitchell Jr./Isaac Asuma
• SG: Caleb Williams/Brennan Rigsby
• SF: Femi Odukale/Grayson Grove
• PF: Dawson Garcia/Kadyn Betts
• C: Frank Mitchell/Parker Fox

**Minnesota still has three scholarships available