Minnesota Gophers Flip Two-Sport Alabama Commit

P.J. Fleck continues to bring in recruits for the Minnesota Gophers football team, which will be battling uphill in a loaded Big Ten this season. Flipping an Alabama commit should help, right?

Minnesota Gophers flip Alabama football & baseball commit, Luke Ryerse

East Ridge kicker/punter Luke Ryerse decided to forego an opportunity to play for Alabama. Instead, the Gophers wind up being his choice for college. Luke, who is committed as a punter, follows in the footsteps of his brother Grant, who was Minnesota’s kickoff specialist during the memorable 2019 season.

The football team won’t be the only Dinkytown benefactor to Luke Ryerse staying home. Ryerse plays baseball as well, and on the mound he brings a fastball north of 90 mph.

For the first time in 43 years, there’s a new head coach on the diamond, as Ty McDevitt takes over for the legendary John Anderson as head baseball coach. It’s possible Ryerse could help immediately .

I would like to thank Coach Saban and Coach Vaughn and their staffs for offering me the opportunity to play two sports at Alabama. Due to recent changes on the football staff, I have decommitted.

I am excited to share that I have flipped my commitment and will represent my home state at the University of Minnesota for football and baseball. Huge thanks to Coach Fleck, Coach McDevitt and their staffs for the opportunity to punt and pitch for the Gophers, while pursuing a business degree! #RowTheBoat #Ski-U-Mah

#GoGophers
Romans 8:18
Family Business

The college football landscape couldn’t have experienced a greater shakeup this offseason. Among other things, the Big Ten absorbed the best teams from the PAC-12, Nick Saban decided to step aside at Alabama and the College Football Playoff became a 12-team exercise.

Not in Minnesota, though, where PJ Fleck and AD Mark Coyle are currently the longest tenured football coach/Athletic director combo in the now 16-team Big Ten.

Related: How Good is New Gophers QB Max Brosmer?

Minnesota Gophers football isn’t all for Luke Ryerse

It’s not entirely common to play multiple sports at the highest amateur level. Eric Decker was a notable Minnesota Golden Gophers standout in both football and baseball. Ryerse will need to establish himself on both fronts, but it’s hard to suggest he isn’t better positioned to make an impact.

It isn’t every day that Minnesota flips an Alabama commit, but it happened on Saturday.

More must-reads:

• Gophers Insider Expects PJ Fleck to Air it Out Like Never Before with New QB
• Gophers Football Piling Up More 2025 Commits Than Just About Any Team in the Country
• Minnesota Gophers Reel in Highest Rated Non-QB of 2025 Class at “Summer Splash” Event

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