PJ Fleck, MN Gophers Receive First Commit of New High School Recruiting Class

The Minnesota Gophers football team’s 8-5 (5-4) record in 2024 did not reflect the step forward it took as a program, especially on offense, where head coach PJ Fleck took a step into the modern passing age for the first time during his head coaching tenure in Dinkytown.

On defense, one-and-done defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman — who has since been hired for the same job in Miami — filled in impressively for longtime DC, Joe Rossi, after he left for Michigan State. The Gopher defense ranked in the top 15 nationally in just about every major defensive metric, including points (4th), yards (5th) allowed.

But now, Fleck’s Minnesota Gophers football program is looking to the future. At spring practice, new QB1 Drake Lindsey is preparing to take over the under center for departing super senior Max Brosmer, who’s expected to be selected in the late rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Minnesota Gophers get first high school football commit of 2027

That’s not where the work ends, however, at least not for the coaching staff, which has been hot on the recruiting trail since the regular season ended. Not only are they working on the 2026 high school class, while always keeping an eye fixated on the transfer portal, but PJ & Co have also taken their first steps on the 2027 recruiting trail, too.

Saturday, Fleck’s early effort paid off when the Minnesota Gophers got their first commitment of the 2027 class, in homegrown Wayzata sophomore (junior next fall) defensive lineman, Eli Diane. On his instagram account, Diane posted a Gophers graphic with the caption, “1000% committed”.

What you should know about new 2027 Gophers commit, Eli Diane

How good is Eli Diane? Well, rankings for the 2027 class are still very hard to come by, being we are not even into that cycle yet. However, the 6’4″ 235 lb monster teenager did already hold offers from Iowa, Wisconsin, Iowa State and Rutgers, among others.

Related: Koi Perich Playing Offense and Defense for Gophers?

Not only is Diane’s early offer list impressive for this early in cycle, but go-to MN Gophers football recruiting expert Ryan Burns (247Sports), expects him to be the No. 1 recruit in the class once recruiting grades and rankings become more available for the 2027 class. And then, just watch his sophomore season highlights at Wayzata.

While there aren’t any Minnesota kids ranked in the 2027 class quite yet, Diane is likely to be the #1 ranked recruit in the state of Minnesota. If that becomes the case, that’ll be Fleck’s latest top in-state recruit on Minnesota’s roster, joining guys such as Emmanuel Karmo, Koi Perich, and Jaxon Howard, among others.

Ryan Burns – 247Sports

We are a long ways away from National Signing Day 2027, but the Minnesota Gophers couldn’t have gotten their newest recruiting class of to a better start than what they did with Eli Diane. Now, it’s up to PJ and his staff to parlay this signing into the best high school class of his 8 year head coaching tenure at the U of M.