THE GOPHERS' CLASS OF 2021

The Gophers football team has 17 scholarship players in its recruiting Class of 2021 who signed letters of intent Wednesday, the start of the three-day early signing period. Players listed are ranked by star grade and listed with position, height and weight.

Deven Eastern, DE, 6-6, 280, ****

From Shakopee High School. Committed to the Gophers after their 11-2 season in 2019 when he wasn't ranked.

Mar'Keise Irving, RB, 5-10, 190, ****

From Hillcrest High School (Country Club Hills, Ill.). Could end up with a similar build as current Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim if he puts on some weight.

Athan Kaliakmanis, QB, 6-4, 205, ****

From Antioch Community High School (Antioch, Ill.). The dual-threat QB has been committed to the Gophers since March 2019 and ranks second in his state and 12th among all 2021 quarterbacks.

Steven Ortiz, CB, 6-0, 175, ****

From Desert Edge High School (Goodyear, Ariz.). Committed to the Gophers sight unseen during this recruiting dead period.

Austin Booker, DE, 6-6, 240, ***

From Center Grove High School (Greenwood, Ind.). Named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association's Top 50 all-state team for 2020.

Brady Boyd WR, 6-1, 185, ***

From Carroll High School (Southlake, Texas). Broke his wrist in an early October game but returned to the field by late November.

Lemeke Brockington, WR, 6-0, 195, ***

From Colquitt County High School (Moultrie, Ga.). Named the All-Region 1-7A Athlete of the Year in 2020 for his prowess as a receiver and kick returner.

Jameson Geers, TE, 6-6, 250, ***

From Providence Catholic High School (New Lenox, Ill.), the same high school as Gophers linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin.

Darius Green, S, 6-1, 190, ***

From Newton High School (Covington, Ga.). Prides himself on speed, with a reported 100-meter time of 10.62 seconds.

Cameron James, OT, 6-8, 290, ***

From Simeon Career Academy (Chicago). Picked the Gophers from among several Power Five offers, including Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan State.

Dino Kaliakmanis, WR, 6-2, 195, ***

From Antioch Community High School (Antioch, Ill.). The older brother by 17 months of QB commit Athan Kaliakmanis, whom he combines with often as a receiver.

Luther McCoy, DT, 6-5, 290, ***

From Creekside High School (St. Augustine, Fla.). Committed to the Gophers a week ago after tallying 44 tackles through nine games this past season.

Dylan McGill, ATH., 6-3, 210, ***

From Mesquite (Texas) High School. The original 2020 commit was a grayshirt, delaying his enrollment while he worked to improve his test scores for admission to the school.

Logan Purcell, OT, 6-7, 260, ***

From Annandale High School. One of just two in-state recruits in this Gophers class.

Jacob Schuster, DT, 6-2, 300, ***

From Tumwater High School (Olympia, Wash.). Reportedly plans on enrolling in the summer so he has a chance to help defend his team's state title in a delayed spring season.

Justin Walley, CB, 5-11, 185, ***

From D'Iberville High School (Biloxi, Miss.). Made 55 tackles with two interceptions this season as Mississippi's Mr. Football for his 6A division.

Devon Williams, LB, 6-1, 215, ***

From Dublin Coffman High School (Dublin, Ohio). Flipped his commitment from Kentucky back in April.

OTHER 2021 ADDITIONS

Jack Gibbens, LB, 6-4, 240

From Abilene Christian University (Bulverde, Texas). The graduate transfer will be a scholarship player, joining a young linebacker group in January after four years at the FCS level.

Eli Mau, LB, 6-2, 225

From Chanhassen High School. The preferred walk-on joined the class a couple of days before signing day.

Notes: Star ratings are from the 247Sports.com composite of major national recruiting services. Sources: Star Tribune reporting, 247Sports.com.