The Gophers football program focused primarily on bolstering its offense through the transfer portal this offseason, evident in the addition of 10 offensive players. However, Coach P.J. Fleck and his staff also addressed defensive needs by bringing in four defensive transfers and a kicker. Further moves could occur during the second portal window from April 16-25, following spring practice.
For now, here’s an overview of the defensive and special teams additions:
### Defensive End
**Situation:** The Gophers are losing dependable veterans Jah Joyner and Danny Striggow, who collectively contributed 9.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2024. To support emerging talents like Anthony Smith and Jaxon Howard, reinforcements were necessary.
**Transfer Spotlight:** Steven Curtis (Illinois State)
**Comment:** Curtis, a 6-foot-5, 255-pound defensive end, became a starter as a sophomore and recorded 46 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and eight quarterback hurries across 14 games in 2024. The West Palm Beach, Fla., native has two years of eligibility remaining and also garnered interest from Boston College, Cincinnati, and Kentucky.
### Defensive Tackle
**Situation:** The Gophers relied heavily on interior linemen Jalen Logan-Redding and Deven Eastern last year but sought to enhance their rotation to keep players fresh.
**Transfer Spotlight:** Rushawn Lawrence (Stony Brook)
**Comment:** Lawrence, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound defensive tackle, rebounded from an injury-shortened 2023 season with 42 tackles and eight sacks, earning All-Coastal Athletic Association honors. The Philadelphia native, with prior experience at Albany and Lackawanna College, has one year of eligibility left. He was pursued by Houston, Georgia Tech, Virginia, and Washington State.
### Linebacker
**Situation:** With Cody Lindenberg heading to the NFL, the Gophers aimed to add depth and experience alongside Maverick Baranowski and Devon Williams, who are expected to start in 2025.
**Transfer Spotlight:** Jeff Roberson (Oklahoma State)
**Comment:** Roberson, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound graduate transfer, brings one year of eligibility after a strong 2024 season featuring 58 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, seven quarterback hurries, and an interception. Over five seasons at Oklahoma State, he primarily played on special teams early in his career and missed 2022 due to a medical redshirt.
### Cornerback
**Situation:** The departure of four-year starter Justin Walley and senior Ethan Robinson created an immediate need for a starting-caliber cornerback.
**Transfer Spotlight:** Jaylen Bowden (North Carolina Central)
**Comment:** Following the success of FCS transfers like Robinson (Bucknell) and Tre’Von Jones (Elon) in 2023, the Gophers hope Bowden can make a similar impact. At 6-foot-2 and 155 pounds, Bowden recorded 19 tackles, one interception, and seven pass breakups in 2024. He has two years of eligibility left.
### Kicker
**Situation:** With Dragan Kesich leaving after handling kickoff duties for three years and placekicking for two, the Gophers needed a reliable replacement.
**Transfer Spotlight:** Brady Denaburg (Syracuse)
**Comment:** Denaburg, who has one year of eligibility remaining, served as Syracuse’s kickoff specialist for three seasons, with 156 of 198 kickoffs resulting in touchbacks. He is also 13-for-22 on field-goal attempts in his career.
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