Minnesota Gophers Short on Running Backs After Two Upperclassmen Enter Transfer Portal

The Minnesota Gophers finished the 2024 regular season on a high note, dominating rival Wisconsin 24-7, in Madison. The victory sealed a winning 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten) record, and brought the Axe back home to Dinkytown.

Fleck’s record against Wisconsin is now 4-4, and they are 3-1 in the last four matchups. For context, Jerry Kill, Tracy Claeys and Tim Brewster combined to go 0-10 against the Badgers during their tenures as U of M head coaches, from 2007-2016, prior to PJ ‘s arrival in 2017. Glen Mason went 2-8, in his ten attempts.

Now that the regular season is wrapped up, the Minnesota Gophers are gearing up for a bowl game, which is expected to be the Duke Mayo Bowl. We’ll find out on Sunday where they’re heading, for sure, along with their opponent. In between, the transfer portal will be active. On Wednesday, we saw the first departures of the winter portal season, two upperclassmen running backs.

Minnesota Gophers RBs Jordan Nubin and Sieh Bangura enter the transfer portal

With just one season remaining of eligibility, Jordan Nubin is taking his talents elsewhere, probably where he can find the field more often. Same goes for the other transfer RB, Sieh Bangura, who saw limited action this year, after transferring in from Ohio University last offseason.

New beginnings🙏 pic.twitter.com/YOqr0ROc0U

— Jordan Nubin (@jnubin27) December 4, 2024

pic.twitter.com/77bS3v4Xkv

— Sieh Bangura🇸🇱 (@5iehBangura) December 4, 2024

Jordan Nubin has spent his entire collegiate career at the U of M. The brother of 2024 New York Giants draft pick, Tyler Nubin, Jordan’s role in the running back room has been more of the depth variety, though he has had some impressive performances, when thrown into the fire, due to injuries suffered by those in front of him on the depth chart.

Why are Nubin and Bangura entering the portal?

Nubin’s impact in 2024 shrunk even further, thanks to a healthy Darius Taylor. Transfer running back Marcus Major (Oklahoma) got all of the RB2 carries, relegating Jordan to just 11 carries for 19 yards. Compare that to last last season, when he ran the ball 127 times for 559 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Not only was Bangura’s tenure with the Minnesota Gophers brief, but it was underwhelming too. After amassing nearly 2,000 rushing yards over three seasons at Ohio, Sieh gained only 12 total rushing yards in his single season with the Gophers.

Related: Former Golden Gophers DC Lands New MAC Head Coaching Job

While the team sees two running backs walk through the transfer portal, the offense should remain in capable hands with Darius Taylor. Entering his junior year next season, Taylor has already amassed 2,097 all-purpose yards over his first two seasons.

What’s next for Minnesota Gophers running back room?

Behind Taylor…. the Minnesota Gophers are definitely looking a bit light, entering the bowl season. Marcus Major is out of eligibility. Freshman Fame Ijeboi is a name to keep an eye on.

Other running backs on roster are all freshman, including Jaydon Wright (FR), Cortez LeGrant (FR) and Kaeden Johnson (FR). They also had some even younger running backs sign on Wednesday, which was 2025 Early National Signing Day.

Related: Minnesota Gophers Football Commitment & Early NSD Tracker – 2025

With him likely taking most of the carries, assuming he stays injury-free, the Gophers look set for another strong season on the ground. Taylor’s also eyeing an NFL shot after what might be his last year with the team next season, but as we all know, the future in college football is anything but set in stone.