Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey has made his commitment to Minnesota clear by confirming his intention to return to the program in 2026. In an era where college football players frequently enter the transfer portal, Lindsey has chosen to remain loyal to the Gophers.
A native of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Lindsey delivered an impressive performance in his first season as a redshirt freshman, completing 63.2% of his passes for a total of 2,235 yards, alongside 20 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He addressed local media for the first time since announcing his decision, expressing his respect and appreciation for the strong relationships he has built with the coaching staff.
“Yeah, really easy,” Lindsey said about his decision. “I think when you have relationships with coaches that are so good, and they’re continuing to pour into me, pour into the players around me. It’s an easy decision, it was a no-brainer for sure.”
With the departure of longtime starter Tanner Morgan after the 2022 season, Minnesota has seen a different starting quarterback emerge in each of the past three years, with Athan Kaliakmanis and Max Brosmer preceding Lindsey. One constant in this transition has been offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr., who Lindsey cited as a major influence on his decision to join the program.
“Coach Harbaugh was a huge reason why I came here,” Lindsay noted. “I think he’s developing quarterbacks at a really, really high level. I think Max [Brosmer’s] turnaround from even one year with him was huge.”
Entering the 2026 season, Lindsey is set to become Minnesota’s first second-year starter at quarterback since Morgan. Head coach P.J. Fleck has indicated that Lindsey will play a vital role in the Gophers’ strategy for building the team through the transfer portal this offseason. Having stability at the quarterback position is expected to enhance Minnesota’s appeal to potential recruits.
However, the Gophers have faced challenges, as five wide receivers have declared their intent to transfer, including Malachi Coleman, Kenric Lanier II, Cristian Driver, Legend Lyons, and Quentin Redding. Although Jalen Smith and Javon Tracy are likely to return, Lindsey will need additional support from his receiving corps as he steps into his second year.
Last season, Minnesota’s offense struggled, ranking 115th in FBS with an average of just 19.4 points per game. With both Lindsey and Harbaugh returning, there is hope for significant improvements as the Gophers aim to build on their 7-5 record. The upcoming season presents an opportunity for the team to strengthen its competitiveness within college football.