Gophers’ Top 2025 Recruit Transfers Out of FBS
Last season, the Minnesota Gophers saw Drake Lindsey take his first meaningful reps after replacing Max Brosmer at QB1, who signed with the Vikings as a UDFA, made the team out of camp, and wound up playing in seven games as a rookie (including two disappointing starts).
Lindsey will be a redshirt sophomore in 2026. If all goes well, he will be the starting quarterback in Dinkytown for the next two years, before he “turns pro” and becomes the first Gopher selected in the NFL Draft since 1972.
And in today’s age of college football, where players’ only have four years of eligibility to make as much NIL money as possible, Minnesota’s stability at the most important position in all of sports puts the rest of the depth chart behind Lindsey in a tough spot.
That brings us to one of only three composite (247Sports) four-star recruits (89 overall) that PJ Fleck signed out of the 2025 high school recruiting class — Laguna Beach (CA) quarterback, Jackson Kollock.
Out of high school, the 6’3″ West Coast kid chose the brutal winters of Minnesota over closer options like Washington, Cal and Colorado, among others. It was a huge get for the Gophers and yet more proof that PJ was changing his best at QB, as he ages.
Jackson Kollock leaves MN Gophers for FCS opportunity
Whether it was his unlikely path to playing time, or the -20 degree wind chill this week in the Twin Cities, Jackson Kollock has ditched Minnesota in favor of his home state California.
Because it’s 2026, nobody was surprised when Jackson entered the transfer portal. However, his landing spot, UC-Davis, was a bit of a head-turner. The portal can be ruthless place, and the 2025 four-star dropping down to the FCS level is a prime example of just that.
I am blessed to announce I am committed to the University of California Davis. I want to thank my family and coaches for all the support and want to thank the coaches at UC Davis for the opportunity @CoachDanny10 @ucdavisfootball @ucdpaulshelton @TransferPortal pic.twitter.com/AwgA6cIMcP
— Jackson Kollock (@jackson_kollock) January 21, 2026
UC-Davis sits in “College Town”, (Northern California) — an University of California subsidiary located about 15 miles west of Sacramento. Kollock spent two seasons in Dinkytown, and will have three years of eligibility remaining when he tries to get his career back on track at UC-Davis.
In two seasons as a high school starter at Laguna Beach High School, Kollock threw for 5,376 yards (61.3% CMP) for 268.8 yards per game, 73 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions (124.8 QB rating). He also rushed for 418 yards, and 13 touchdowns on the ground.
Related: Jerry Kill Assistant Returns to MN Gophers Staff
UC-Davis went 9-4 last season, upsetting #9 Rhode Island in the second round of the FCS playoffs, before they dropped their quarterfinal game to Illinois State.
Kollock will presumably take over as the starter, after 2025 starter Caden Pinnick transferred to Washington State this offseason. Last season at UC-Davis, Pinnick threw for 3,206 yards, 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Minnesota Gophers QB depth chart shaping up behind Drake Lindsey
Back at the University of Minnesota, Liberty transfer Michael Merdinger will challenge Max Shikenjanski for the Golden Gophers backup QB job, behind Lindsey. Former Virginia Tech transfer Dylan Wittke is another option for PJ Fleck. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
The Gophers also have two incoming freshman quarterbacks on their roster — Owen Lansu (3-Star – Illinois) and Brady Palmer (3-Star – California). Neither is expected to push for playing time anytime soon.
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