Top MN Gophers Lineman Returning for 2025

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Anthony Smith, Minnesota Gophers
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

It has been a period of transition for the Minnesota Gophers basketball team. Gone is head coach Ben Johnson and in is new head coach Niko Medved. The roster has been picked clean too. The same can’t be said for P.J. Fleck’s Golden Gophers football team, though.

This offseason, Minnesota had more representation at the NFL Combine than ever before and every collegiate roster these days sees offseason turnover. Nonetheless, Fleck’s 2025 roster is sitting in a really good spot, as of April 2, including lots of returning talent from last season.

New defensive coordinator Danny Collins is taking over for Corey Hetherman, who left for the University of Miami, following one very successful season running the defense at Minnesota. While the defense is losing top talent like Justin Walley and Cody Lindenberg, there’s plenty of incumbent talent remaining for next season.

Anthony Smith back for Minnesota Gophers in 2025

Jah Joyner and Danny Striggow are two other departing Gophers on defense. Most certainly, their absence will be felt, which is why today’s announcement that defensive lineman Anthony Smith is returning for his senior season, was a very big deal.

In his 28 games played under Fleck, Smith has lined up both on the interior and edge of the defensive line. Last season he recorded a career-best 27 tackles, mostly at left and right defensive tackle. The also contributed 12 tackles for loss and racked up six sacks. With Joyner and Striggow gone, new defensive coordinator Danny Collins can put Smith on the edge and let him eat.

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As the depth chart takes shape, it looks as though Smith could be an edge rusher along with Illinois State transfer Steven Curtis. Curtis had five sacks and seven tackles for losses last season. Paired with Smith, who already has familiarity with Minnesota, could create a strong rushing tandem for the Gophers.

Smith has two years of eligibility remaining, but could look at what his draft stock becomes should he build upon last season. Joyner put up 4.5 sacks in 2024 with Striggow adding five of his own. The tandem both leave the collegiate ranks with an equal 14.5 sacks.

P.J. Fleck’s team starts their 2025 schedule against Buffalo at Huntington Bank Stadium on August 28th. Just five weeks into the season they’ll have their toughest test as the look to take down Ohio State at The Shoe in Columbus.

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