The football signing period starts Wednesday and Minnesota has already gotten off to a strong start. New Minnesota head football coach Tracy Claeys landed a seven-man class that enrolled in January and will be able to participate in spring practice.
The Gophers landed four junior college transfers who will have two years of eligibility at Minnesota and three high school standouts.
Merrick Jackson is a 6-2, 330-pound defensive tackle from Iowa Western (IA) CC, which has been a fertile stopping ground for the Gophers and has produced players like starting linebacker Cody Poock. The East St. Louis, Illinois native was a NJCAA First Team All-American after recording 70 tackles and 7.