Gophers Use Rate Bowl as Bridge to 2026, Spotlight youth as Time Winds Down
PHOENIX – Minnesota’s football program is treating the Rate Bowl as a strategic bridge to the 2026 season, with coach P.J. Fleck signaling a shift toward development adn readiness after another demanding year.
Upon arrival in Arizona, Fleck noted that a slate of lesser-known players have stood out during bowl-week practices, a intentional move to lighten the load on veterans and accelerate the growth of underclassmen.
The focus for Fleck remains the linebacking corps, a unit he has highlighted at various points this season as a source of future strength. He cited several young defenders who have impressed during bowl prep, signaling a broader plan to build depth for the future.
linebacker prospects Ethan Stendel (true freshman from Caledonia), Mason Carrier (redshirt freshman from Detroit Lakes), and Nate Cleveland (true freshman from Hoffman Estates, Ill.) have been mentioned as standouts.All three appeared primarily on special teams this season, with Carrier totaling 12 games, Stendel 10, and Cleveland seven.
Offensive depth remains in flux, as five Gophers receivers have indicated plans to enter the January transfer portal, while senior Le’Meke Brockington may opt out of the bowl. Brockington led the team with 46 receptions for 439 yards and four touchdowns this season.
coordinator Greg Harbaugh highlighted Bradley Martino as a standout during bowl prep. Martino, a 6-foot-3, four-star prospect from Naples, Fla., did not see game action this fall but has been integrated into the receiving corps this week.
On the offensive line, two young linemen-redshirt freshman Brett Carroll and true freshman Kaveon Lee-were seen working with the first unit during bowl practices. They were later called out in a team meeting, underscoring the coaching staff’s willingness to critique and refine performance in real time.
Fleck also noted D.J. Shipp, a true freshman from Eastvale, Calif., who did not play this season, alongside Lee; Carroll saw limited action with two games. The coaching staff has used bowl prep to reinforce fundamentals and accountability across the roster.
Last season’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl served as a proving ground for Nathan roy,who leveraged his bowl-time into a full starting role at left tackle for all 12 games in the following season. Minnesota aims to replicate that trajectory with its current springboard players.
Looking ahead to next season,Minnesota’s defensive line will bid farewell to senior tackles Deven Eastern and Jalen Logan-Redding. The search for younger contributors is centering on redshirts Sunram and Hicks, both of whom logged eight appearances this season. Sunram is a 6-5, 300-pound redshirt freshman from Kindred, North Dakota, and Hicks is a 6-3, 260-pound redshirt freshman from Harlem, New York.
Fleck praised the progress of Zach Harden, a 6-1 true freshman safety from Eatonton, Ga.,who appeared in 10 games last season and earned praise from the head coach for his development.
Key figures at a glance
| Player | Status/Year | Notable Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethan Stendel | True freshman | Defensive contributor (linebacker focus) | Impressed on defense during bowl prep |
| Mason Carrier | Redshirt freshman | Defensive depth (linebacker-related) | Special teams experience; future linebacker prospect |
| Nate Cleveland | True freshman | Defensive depth (linebacker-related) | Special teams participant; part of youth surge |
| Bradley Martino | Depth receiver | Receiving corps utilization | 6-3, 4-star prospect from Naples; limited fall action |
| Brett Carroll | Redshirt freshman | Offensive line | First-unit duties during bowl practices |
| Kaveon Lee | True freshman | Offensive line | First-unit duties during bowl practices |
| D.J. Shipp | True freshman | Practice squad depth | Did not play in games this season |
| Nathan Roy | Previous bowl-year sample | Offensive tackle (example) | Used bowl prep as springboard to a full-time starter role last season |
| Riley Sunram | Redshirt freshman | Defensive line depth | Projected spring contributor (8 games this season) |
| Jaylin Hicks | redshirt freshman | Defensive line depth | Projected spring contributor (8 games this season) |
| Zach Harden | True freshman | Safety | Played 10 games last season; noted for strong finish |
The Rate Bowl in Phoenix is shaping up as more than a postseason showcase.It’s a field of prospect for the Gophers to test depth, accelerate player development, and set the tone for 2026. By elevating younger players and evaluating the transfer-risk landscape,Minnesota aims to convert a bowl performance into tangible gains for its next campaign.
What do you think will be the biggest storyline for Minnesota next season-the growth of its linebackers, the depth along the offensive line, or the impact of potential departures in the receiving corps? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
Two speedy questions for readers:
- Which underclassman do you expect to emerge as a key contributor in 2026?
- Will Brockington opt to transfer, return, or skip the bowl in your view?
Stay tuned as we monitor how bowl-week decisions translate into on-field performance in the lead-up to next season. For more context on how bowl-prep cycles influence program trajectories, see ongoing coverage from major college football analysts and team sites.