After a successful 8-5 season and a victory in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against Virginia Tech, the Minnesota Gophers are making moves on the recruiting trail. They recently secured a commitment from Louisiana’s Mr. Football and have extended offers to a four-star running back and defensive end in the 2026 class.
When it comes to wide receivers, the Gophers seem to favor the sons of former NFL players. Cristian Driver, the son of Donald Driver, has played two seasons with the Gophers after transferring from Penn State. On the recruiting front, head coach P.J. Fleck has found his way to Brophy College Prep in Phoenix, AZ, where many former NFL stars have sent their children.
PJ Fleck, Minnesota Gophers offer Donovan McNabb Jr.
For the 2026 class, the Minnesota Gophers made waves by offering Daylen Sharper (son of Darren Sharper) and Devin Fitzgerald (son of Larry Fitzgerald) back in October. This week, the Gophers extended an offer to another standout WR from Brophy College Prep, Donovan McNabb Jr., the son of former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb, for the 2027 class.
Despite only racking up 226 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in his sophomore season, with just nine catches on the year, McNabb Jr. faces stiff competition from older NFL player sons. But his potential is clear. Already standing at 6 feet and 170 pounds, the talented wide receiver is drawing attention from other programs, including his father’s alma mater, Syracuse.
Former Gophers wide receivers who made/are making an impact in the NFL
The Minnesota Gophers have built a strong track record of developing wide receivers for the NFL over the past couple of decades. Daniel Jackson, expected to be a day two or three pick in the 2025 NFL Draft this April, is the latest success story. Before him, Rashod Bateman, a three-year starter at Minnesota, had a standout season with the Baltimore Ravens after being drafted in the first round in 2021.
Just a few years before Bateman, Tyler Johnson made his mark at Minnesota, becoming the school’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions (30) before being selected in the 2020 NFL Draft in the third round.
Going further back, Eric Decker set the bar for wide receivers in Minnesota, setting a school record with 3,119 career receiving yards. Decker’s success in the NFL included a long, productive career, and his legacy still stands at the university. Before him, Ron Johnson was another Gophers standout who had a successful eight-year NFL career, including a Super Bowl appearance.
On a personal note, Donovan McNabb, who spent his final NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2011, has seen his son Donovan McNabb Jr. follow in the footsteps of the Gophers’ wide receiver legacy. McNabb’s oldest child, Lexi, is a junior guard on the Syracuse women’s basketball team, while his daughter Sariah is a twin to Donovan Jr.
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