Gophers Commit Drake Lindsey Named Gatorade Player of the Year in Arkansas

By Eric Strack |

Updated: Jan 3, 2024

The Minnesota Gophers have a couple new quarterbacks coming in for the 2024 season. One of those QBs will be a freshman out of Fayetteville, AR, Drake Lindsey, who on Wednesday was named Arkansas’ Gatorade Player of the Year.

Fayetteville QB and Minnesota signee @Drakelindsey5 has been named the 2023-24 Gatorade Arkansas Football Player of the Year. Lindsey is the fourth Gatorade Arkansas Football Player of the Year to be chosen from Fayetteville.
— Richard Davenport (@ArRecruitingGuy) January 3, 2024

Lindsey is a consensus 3-star who’s completely dominated the 6A competition in his state for two straight seasons, leading Fayetteville to a 2023 State Championship behind 3,916 yards (70% cmp), 52 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions, as a senior.

Drake Lindsey – Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year

Oh and his favorite NFL team is the Minnesota Vikings, because his grandfather played special teams for the purple and gold back in the 60s and 70s.

The #Gophers landed a commitment from Arkansas QB Drake Lindsey. He drives the football, showcases touch/anticipation & navigates the pocket well.

Drake’s grandfather, Jim, was a special teams ace & RB for the #Vikings (1966-72).

More in this piece: https://t.co/PuNgSxDRnN pic.twitter.com/4aPHAEig2G
— Daniel House (@DanielHouseMN) May 12, 2023

The Gophers jumped all in on Lindsey earlier than others, something Fleck has gotten good at, especially when he and his staff find a quarterback they like. Arkansas made a late run at Lindsey, even sending offensive coordinator, Bobby Petrino to the state championship game.

But by then, it was too late. Drake wore a University of Minnesota hand towel for the entire 2023 season and he and his family could be found after Fayetteville’s state championship taking pictures with PJ Fleck.

If all goes according to plan, Lindsey will get at least one season of development before being asked to step on the football field as Minnesota’s QB1. With Athan Kaliakmanis now at Rutgers, the Gophers will trust the arm of FCS MVP, Max Brosmer, a graduate transfer from New Hampshire with one season left to play.