Gophers lose three transfers on Day One of Spring Portal Window

The Spring Transfer Portal Window officially opened today April 16th and the Gophers quickly saw three scholarship players enter their name. With a few players over the scholarship limit, it was expected for Minnesota to see a few players leave.

CB, Tariq Watson

The most notable Minnesota player to enter the portal was redshirt sophomore, cornerback Tariq Watson. The Harvey, Louisiana native played 131 snaps last season, earning a 63.2 PFF Grade. Heading into 2024 he had some serious promise, but the Gophers’ cornerback room has become crowded with the addition of Bucknell transfer Ethan Robinson and TCU transfer Jai’Onte McMillan.

Fellow 2022 recruits Za’Quan Bryan and Aidan Gousby not have a chance to earn a role next season. Watson is a very talented player who faced a tough path for serious playing time, I expect him to end up remaining at the FBS level and he will covet some interest in the portal.

OL, Cade McConnell

Cade McConnell is another player who arrived in Dinkytown with real promise. Hailing from Choctaw, Oklahoma the former top-750 recruit was originally committed to TCU before flipping to Minnesota on Early National Signing Day. The Gophers’ offensive line depth chart has quickly become pretty crowded and McConnell wasn’t able to see the field through two seasons, so I believe this was another decision heavily based on playing time. He is another former 2022 recruit that I expect to remain at the FBS level.

OL, De’Eric Mister

Gary, Indiana native De’Eric Mister was the last of three Gophers players to enter the portal Tuesday. He comes from the 2023 recruiting class and was Minnesota’s lowest-ranked player from that class according to many sites. Lasting only one year at a school can be a transfer decision based on a lot more than just playing time. At 6-foot-7, 300 pounds Mister still has plenty of potential and Minnesota and Kentucky were his only power five offers coming out of high school.