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Gophers gain transfer commitment of Jaxon Howard, top-rated recruit in Minnesota in 2023 class

Andy Greder, Pioneer Press
·1 min read

The Gophers football program landed a big transfer commitment in former LSU defensive end Jaxon Howard on Friday.

Howard entered the NCAA transfer portal on Tuesday, Minnesota offered a scholarship and the 6-foot-4, 240-pound edge rusher pledged to the U, he confirmed on social media.

Coming out of Robbinsdale Cooper High School, Howard was the top-rated recruiting in the state of Minnesota in the 2023 class. He was considered a top-20 EDGE in the nation that year and his finalist included Minnesota, Miami (Fla.) and Michigan before he picked LSU.

With the Tigers last season, he had two tackles across five games for the SEC program, but was able to keep his redshirt. He has four years of eligibility remaining for the U.

Howard, the son of former Stanford and Vikings offensive lineman Willie Howard, was re-recruited by Gophers defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere, a young assistant who is showing an increasing ability to bring in players.

Minnesota also had success re-recruiting Quinn Carroll after the Edina product and top in-state prospect in the 2019 class initially went to Notre Dame. Carroll returned to the U in 2022 and has been a mainstay on the U’s offensive line for the last two seasons. He is a projected starter and a team leader for 2024.

This fall, Howard can be a bookend pairing with U defensive end Jah Johner to haunt opposing quarterbacks next season. Johner led the Gophers in pressures (46) last season. The Gophers also have depth at defensive end with returning starter Danny Striggow and up-and-comer Anthony Smith.

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