Four Minnesota signees apart of final 2026 Rivals 300
The final rankings update for the Rivals 300 for the 2026 recruiting cycle was released on Tuesday morning, and the Minnesota Golden Gophers are represented with four signees among the top-300 prospects.
Leading the way for the Golden Gophers is Indiana EDGE rusher Aaden Aytch, the No. 33 player overall in the country and the No. 2 player in the state of Indiana, only behind Ohio State commitment Jerquaden Guilford.
Aytch, the highest-ranked Golden Gophers commitment ever on Rivals, finished one spot shy of being a five-star prospect with Texas quarterback commitment Dia Bell taking the last five-star spot, at No. 32.
Here’s what Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings, Charles Powers, had to say about Aytch last month.
“Aaden Aytch is one of the biggest risers at EDGE within this Rivals300 update, rocketing up into the top 40 overall prospects on the heels of a huge, breakout senior season. He’s always been a prospect that we knew had a high developmental upside. He’s around 6-foot-4, has added mass to his frame at around 230 pounds. Young for the class, he’s one who’s still growing into his body, but we really saw his play take off this fall. He was a dominant pass-rusher as a senior. He ended his season with 33.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks, making him easily one of the most productive pass-rushers in the cycle. Aytch is very explosive, he’s a consistent finisher in the backfield, one who really uses his explosiveness to corral ball carriers. His closing speed really popped off on film and he looks to be a big-time get for Minnesota.”
The second-highest-ranked Minnesota commitment is wide receiver Quayd Hendryx.
The Winslow Township standout made a huge jump in updated rankings, as he jumps from the No. 167 wide receiver nationally and No. 16 player in New Jersey to No. 209 nationally, No. 32 wide receiver, and the No. 5 player in the stae of New Jersey.
As a senior, Hendryx recorded 32 receptions for 579 yards and nine touchdowns. A three-sport athlete, Hendryx is notably the state champion at both the 100m (10.99) and 200m (21.47).
Here’s what P.J. Fleck had to say about Hendryx last month.
“Dynamic receiver. Again, track-type speed, but he’s a football player. He runs at 10.5 100 meters. Leap ball skills. It’s a human highlight reel. Go look at his highlight tape. It’s unbelievable the way this kid makes plays. Not only with catching the football, the run after the catch, playmaking ability. 120 catches, over 1,800 yards, and 23 touchdowns in his career. He runs a 10-6, 10-5, 10-6 100 meters, and a 21-4-7 200 meters. So, first team all South New Jersey in basketball as well. So, this kid can play, play, and definitely a big-time athlete.”
Next up is Forest Lake Senior standout Howie Johnson, who stays at No. 272 overall while moving back into the No. 1 spot overall as Virginia Tech tight end commitment Pierce Petersohn fell out of the top-300.
Johnson was one of Minnesota’s first commitments in the class and never wavered. Here’s what P.J. Fleck had to say about the Minnesota native on signing day last month.
“The number one player in the state of Minnesota, again, is a Gopher, Howie Johnson from Forest Lake High School in Forest Lake, Minnesota. Strong, tough, physical, nasty, high motor. This kid’s motor never, ever, ever shuts off. His violence, his how, perfectly fit what we’re doing with the Havoc defense. He was Minnesota Mr. Football Finalist, all-time leader in career tackles for a loss, 88, and sacks 20 in Minnesota. And career stats, 181 tackles, 88 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.”
The final Minnesota representative inside the Rivals 300 is El Dorado (TX) running back Ryan Estrada.
Estrada is ranked No. 276 overall in the rankings, a slight tumble from his prior No. 246 spot. He’s also ranked the No. 20 running back and the No. 37 player in the state of Texas.
As a senior, Estrada ran for over 3,000 yards for El Dorado and had 45 total touchdowns. Here’s what P.J. Fleck had to say.
“Maybe one of the most electric players in the country, in my opinion. He ran for 7,633 yards as a running back. Not only that, this last year he ran for 3,053 yards and did it in very dynamic ways. But that’s averaging 13 yards per carry and had 45 total touchdowns. You talk about extremely productive, dynamic playmaker, electric. Across the country, four-star recruit, a big-time player that a lot of people wanted. Finished his high school career at El Paso’s all-time leading rusher and broke current Minnesota Vikings record, Aaron Jones.””
